By SANDRA THAMES / Community Columnist

Christi King is the library media specialist for both Thompson Intermediate School and the Thompson Sixth Grade Center.

Her position brings her into contact with a large number of students at both facilities.

The energy and excitement of the students at the wall of computers was so unlike the libraries of 50 years ago when a student would just be asking for help in locating a book to read for pleasure or maybe for a book report.

Today, students are allowed to ask questions and freely interact as they diligently work on the computers.

In the middle of all this is a pretty, young, soft-spoken librarian with a gentle smile and lots of helpful information.

Married to David King (a jeweler), Christi is the daughter of Joe and Michelle Hamm of Helena.

Her older brother is Joey King. The Kings have no children but instead a spoiled dog named Lexie and several farm animals such as goats, chickens and a pig.

King says some of her favorite childhood memories are of playing outside till the sun went down and playing “teaching” with a supply of old schoolbooks in her parents’ basement.

“We thought that playing teaching was the greatest and would spend hours ‘teaching,’ King said.

After graduating in 2003 from Pelham High School, she attended the University of Montevallo where she received her bachelor’s degree in Child and Family Studies in 2008.

In 2010 she received her master’s degree in Library and Information Services (specializing in youth services) from Florida State University.

After a two-year stint at Parnell Library in Montevallo, King started with the Alabaster City School system in February of 2012 as a librarian.

She implemented a lot of research and information literacy, which has helped make the library different, challenging and interesting.

Crafts and sewing are hobbies that King really enjoys in her spare time.

She has been a seamstress since she was a young child and has learned to smock and monogram.

King has traveled to many places but Savannah, Ga., remains her favorite.

King loves the Alabaster City School System and hopes to be a part of it for many years.