Beth Whiteaker: library assistant

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. — Being around her Christian friends — that's what Beth Whiteaker says is the best part about being library assistant at Tennessee Bible College in Cookeville, Tenn.

It's a position she's volunteered for since 2007, keeping busy on Mondays and Tuesdays with the task of converting the TBC library system from Dewey decimal to Library of Congress.

"I take books off the shelves that don't have the Library of Congress numbers, and look up the number of the computer," Beth said. "Then I pass them over to librarian Billie Hill, and she puts the labels on them."

Beth Whiteaker
Library Assistant

For Beth, it's her second stint of service at TBC. During the late 1980s, she served as full-time secretary.

Why did she join the TBC staff?

"I thought it would be the best way to stay close to God," said Beth, who had found out about the college through her church, Northeast Church of Christ, which is located next door.

Why return for volunteer work? Same reason. 

"I felt like it would help me stay active and keep my religious life going," she said.

A native of Princeton, Ky., Beth moved to Cookeville in 1967. She is married to James Whiteaker and has a son, John, and several grandchildren. 

When she's not in the library shelving books, Beth said she enjoys reading.

"Mostly I read the Bible," she said. "I don't like to watch too many shows on TV."

But when she does, her remote is set on the Discovery Channel or programs on cooking and home and gardening.

What's impressed her most through her association with TBC?

"The dedication of the teachers and the workers, and just being around Christian people," she said. "You don't hear anything bad when you're around Christian people!" 

The work keeps her busy too — and that's a good thing.

"I love being around here!" she said.