Dabney is honored to be the Interim Executive Director of the International Book Project. IBP has been in her world a long time – as a donor of books and financial support, as well as a Board Member for several years. The IBP Peace Corps connection is special to Dabney as well. Dabney grew up in the ‘big city’ of Mt. Sterling, KY; attended Centre College and earned a master’s from UK. Her first career was teaching high school science. Upon retirement from teaching she has held several other positions that support and serve others in the community, including work at Lexington Theological Seminary, UK research, and Kentucky Refugee Ministries, whose clients benefit from IBP’s providing each newly arrived family with a bookcase of books, tailored to the family. Dabney’s travels throughout the US, in Latin America, Europe and Eastern Europe have reinforced the idea that there are more similarities than differences in cultures across the world. Literacy makes a world of difference to folks in ALL parts of the world. IBP helps make that possible.
Stacie is the Director of Operations at the International Book Project. Her love of books was inspired by her first grade teacher, Mrs. Watanabe who challenged her to read at least one book each week. Stacie received a BS in Political Communications from Florida State University and a Master’s degree in Library Science from the University of Kentucky. While Stacie has worked in a variety of areas, putting people together with books quickly became her mission. Beginning in the book retail business, Stacie saw the joy of helping others discover books and went on to share this experience in public and prison libraries. In addition to serving book communities, Stacie fosters kittens for the Lexington Humane Society and holds a special place in her heart for feral/community cats. While Stacie could not choose a favorite author, Geraldine Brooks, Haruki Murakami, and Richard Russo are in her top five.
Marilyn is the Administrative Assistant for the International Book Project. An avid reader since childhood, Marilyn believes that literacy is the key to a happier, healthier, and more compassionate world. She is originally from Braxton County, West Virginia. Marilyn recently graduated from the University of Kentucky with bachelor’s degrees in Theatre and Arts Administration and a minor in International Studies. During her time as a student at UK, she was lucky enough to intern at AthensWest Theatre Company and Kentucky Educational Television. Her favorite genres to read are fantasy, horror, narrative nonfiction, and literary fiction. When she’s not reading or working, Marilyn enjoys playwriting, hiking, traveling, playing video games, and watching bad horror movies.