The Cairo Public Library has always been a place of stories, but for Toya Wilson, it is also a place of memories. Long before she became its director, she was one of the children who spent her weekends inside its walls, settling into the reading room, and losing herself in stories that sparked her imagination. Today, she stands on the other side of that experience, guiding the library into a new chapter and helping ensure that future generations find the same sense of belonging she once did.

“I was always here at the library every weekend,” she said. “I would bring my books back, sit in the reading room, and read until they closed.”

Wilson’s journey began in Sterling, Illinois, but Cairo became home when she was very young. She grew up here, attended Cairo schools, and graduated from Cairo High School before heading to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Initially, she planned to pursue nursing, but her experiences during clinical rotations led her to reconsider. Instead, she followed a passion that had been quietly developing since childhood: writing. She earned a degree in English and teaching certification, eventually returning to Cairo to teach language arts and social studies.

Life would take her far beyond Southern Illinois before eventually leading her back home. She lived and worked in Michigan, Texas, and Springfield, IL, holding positions with state agencies and government offices. Each move brought new experiences, but Cairo remained a constant presence in her life. When the opportunity to return arose, she took it.

Her connection to the Cairo Public Library began again in 2023, when she stepped in to help part-time after longtime director Monica Smith suffered a stroke. What began as temporary assistance soon became something more permanent. In April 2024, Wilson was named director, stepping into a role that blended her love of books, her passion for writing, and her commitment to her hometown.

Since becoming director, Wilson has worked to transform the library into a more welcoming and accessible space. Her efforts have already made a visible difference. She secured grants to update the children’s area, added new computers, improved Wi-Fi access, and introduced new books for readers of all ages. She created a young adult section and began developing a dedicated youth space. She also launched partnerships with local schools, inviting students to visit the library and rediscover the value of reading.

Wilson has also focused on preserving the library’s rich history while preparing it for the future. The building itself dates back to 1884 and was originally designed as both a library and a community gathering space. She has worked to protect rare historical materials and is pursuing efforts to digitize archival documents so they can be preserved and shared more widely.

Her vision for the library extends beyond books. She has introduced new programming designed to bring the community together, including a chess club led by local bus driver Bernard Patterson, where students meet regularly to learn strategy and build confidence.

One of the most exciting additions is the Illinois Road Scholar program, which will bring distinguished speakers to Cairo. On March 24, Julia Rendleman will present Illinois’ Growing News Deserts and Why We Should Care at the library. On May 7, Clifton Jackson will present The Forgotten Eldorado Story: One Town’s Journey to Sundown at the library. Later in the year, on September 29, Mike Mateska will present What’s Coming Down the Line? The Railroad in the American Mind at the Harold Jones Fine Arts Center. These programs will provide opportunities for residents to engage with history, journalism, and storytelling in meaningful ways.

Wilson’s own love of storytelling extends beyond the library. She is a published author, with several print books available through her website, toyawilson.com, and on Amazon, including The Old Lady in the Shoe, The Old Man and The Tree, and Vicki the Great. She has also published e-books through Smash Words, including Capital Z and His Big Mistake, The Bee and the Bonnet, and Mirror Image. Her writing reflects the same imagination and passion for storytelling that first drew her to the library as a child.

Her work as director reflects that same creative spirit. She continues to pursue grants, expand programming, and create opportunities that bring people through the library’s doors.

In returning home, Toya Wilson has come full circle. She is no longer just a reader discovering stories within the library’s walls. She is now helping write its future—ensuring that the next generation will find inspiration in the very same place where her own story began.