Hailey Lampley walks through the doors of the Momence Junior High library every day, not just as the school’s librarian but as someone whose life has been woven into the very fabric of the community she now serves. Born and raised in Momence, Hailey has seen her life take her far and wide, but it’s here, in the heart of our community, that she’s found her purpose—fostering a love for reading in the next generation of students, all while supporting her husband, Antonio, a Senior Airman in the U.S. Air Force.

Hailey’s journey began much like that of many small-town kids—growing up among cornfields and attending school with familiar faces. But after she married Antonio, life took an unexpected turn. “Shortly after we got married, my husband enlisted in the Air Force in 2018,” Hailey shares. And so began their adventure—one that included a move to Northern California, just as Antonio transitioned from active duty to the Air National Guard.

California was a world away from Momence in every sense. “I had never been to California before,” Hailey says with a laugh, reflecting on the contrast between her hometown of 3,000 people and the bustling area near Sacramento, where she and Antonio lived. “We went from knowing everybody to knowing nobody,” she says. But despite the initial shock, the couple adjusted, as military families do, navigating the challenges of a new city, new friends, and new responsibilities.

For Antonio, who served on active duty for three years, there were frequent “TDYs”—temporary duty assignments— that kept him away for days or even months at a time. “It’s kind of like a mini-deployment,” Hailey explains. Although he never had to deploy for a long-term mission, the uncertainty of each assignment was always there. “I was just glad he never had to go too far for too long,” she adds, her voice filled with both relief and quiet pride. Living in California gave Hailey a new appreciation for home. “The biggest thing we missed was family,” she says. Both she and Antonio are close with their families, and living across the country made it hard to stay connected. “We watched our younger siblings grow up through FaceTime,” Hailey recalls, the strain of long-distance family life everpresent. Yet despite the challenges, they made it work—adapting, adjusting, and finding their way, again… as military families do.

After three years, Hailey and Antonio made the decision to come back home to Momence, where Hailey found herself in the very school she once attended. “I always thought I’d love to work in the library,” she says. But jobs in libraries are hard to come by, especially in small towns, and Hailey knew it would take patience. When the opportunity finally came, she was ready. “I bided my time,” she says with a smile, “and then I jumped on it.”

Now in her second year as the junior high school librarian, Hailey is thriving in her role. “I’m learning as much as the students are,” she admits, having transitioned from a customer service background into education. But Hailey’s passion for reading shines through in everything she does. “I love to read,” she says. “I tell the kids, even if you don’t love books, you’re going to have to read something for the rest of your life, so you might as well find something you enjoy.”

Her enthusiasm for books is infectious. “I’m reading Harry Potter,” says the sign on the door as I enter the library, showing the students that adults can still make time to read, even when life gets busy. “If I can do it, so can you,” she tells them, hoping to inspire even the most reluctant readers to find a story that speaks to them.

Back home, Hailey’s life is full of love and adventure. Antonio, now studying business at Purdue University, is preparing for his next chapter after the Air Force. “He’s dabbling in everything from corporate business to online ventures,” Hailey says, excited for what the future holds. But no matter what comes next, one thing is certain: their roots in Momence run deep, and their connection to the community is strong.

For Hailey, life with Antonio brings both pride and unpredictability. “It’s bittersweet,” she admits. “Part of me can’t wait for the military chapter to be done, but at the same time, I’m so proud of what he’s done.” That balance between uncertainty and pride is something many military families know well. “You never know when things might change,” she says, “but you take it day by day and trust that everything will work out.”

As Hailey and Antonio continue building their life together, they carry with them the lessons learned from both their time in California and their return to Momence. Family, community, and a shared sense of purpose have been the constants in their journey. And for Hailey, the library isn’t just a place filled with books—it’s a symbol of home, of possibility, and of the connections that make her hometown such a special place to be.

In Hailey Lampley, the Momence community has found not just a librarian, but a beacon of resilience, creativity, and heart. And with Antonio by her side, they are building a life full of promise, adventure, and the kind of service that makes everyone proud to have them as part of this town’s story.