GROVES — Keilah Baaheth found her calling at a library when she was just seven years old.
Baaheth and her siblings spent a lot of time at Groves Public Library either reading casually or doing homework and this is where her love for the library evolved.
“I grew up coming to the library. Me and my siblings are huge readers and some times my mom would drop us off to do our homework here,” Baaheth said. “I loved it so much, and at 7-years-old I said ‘I’m going to work at this library.’”
A native of Baton Rouge, La., Baaheth’s family moved to Texas when she was just three months old and lived in Beaumont until she was six. They have been Groves residents since she then.
Baaheth, who was home schooled along with her siblings, recently graduated high school and started working at the library in January. She plans to attend Lamar State College-Port Arthur next fall to take care of her basic courses then move on to Houston to obtain her degree.
Seated at a table near the back of the library, Baaheth looked toward the Christian/Inspirational section and smiled.
“I’ve read all of the books in the Christian/inspirational section,” she said. “And it’s awesome because I get to see them (books) before they’re on the shelf. I have to hide them at home from my siblings. I have a rule, if I check it out I get to read it first.”
Baaheth’s faith is a major part of her life. She is Apostolic Pentecostal and she and family attend Abundant Life Sanctuary where they are very involved in the ministry, she said.
“When they need something, me and my family are there,” she said. “If they need a clean-up crew or cook crew, we’re there. There are five total kids in the family including me so we get it done quick.”
The Groves resident sings every Sunday morning with the praise team and on every other Sunday she sings with a different praise team at the church. She is also a member of the choir, plays keyboard for the youth room and works in the cafe as hostess in the youth room.
Deborah Harper, library director, said she was impressed with Baaheth during the interview process.
“She seemed so enthusiastic and projected a good personality,” Harper said.
Baaheth’s smile, ability to work with the public and eagerness to learn are some of her strong points.
“Working with the public is a good learning experience because you can use that anywhere,” Harper said.
Right now Baaheth is honing those customer service skills while helping library patrons locate books and assisting patrons with the computer.
“Her whole family are library supporters and her and her siblings are big readers,” she added.
Baaheth is the daughter of Rawetts and Lynnette Baaheth.
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