The City of Mustang provides a "Spotlight Employee" each month so that citizens can learn more about the public servants that contribute to our City running smoothly. The Spotlight Employee will feature answers to a series of questions about the selected employee, the department and position they serve in, and unique likes and interests of the employee.
The September 2026 Spotlight Employee is Casey Taylor of the Mustang Public Library.
How long have you worked for the City of Mustang? August was my 5 year anniversary.
Where were you born? (Hospital is not a permitted answer) Lawton, Oklahoma.
Where do you live and how long have you lived there? I currently live in El Reno and have for about 10 years.
Are you married? Do you have any children? My husband Blake and I just celebrated our 10-year anniversary. We have two children - my daughter Lakely is 13 and my step-son Avery is 22. No grandbabies yet. We also have the most rotten Corgi, Gatsby.
What do you enjoy the most about working for the City of Mustang? So many things! Without a doubt, my favorite part is watching my daughter grow up in the library. I also really love watching families make friends with other library families and create their own villages. I love watching young children blossom - see shy, reserved children open up and their personalities blossom. My goal is that every child that comes to our library knows without a doubt that they are welcome, important, and loved. Also, the way a child's whole face lights up when I'm able to help them find the perfect book. My amazing coworkers are an added bonus. I would never make it through the Summer Reading or busy story time days without their support.
What project have you most enjoyed being a part of while working for the City of Mustang? This year I was able to be a part of two amazing partnerships. Before the winter storm at the end of January we partnered with the El Reno Elks Lodge for a $3,500 grant that allowed us to purchase coats and cold weather gear for our local children. I was also a part of the partnership with Neighborhood Forest, a non-profit that gives free trees to children across the country. Not a project, but last summer News 9 reached out to do a live interview from my story time because they had heard about our amazing program.
Favorite Food? Anything but fruit! I enjoy tacos, burgers, potatoes in any form. I could probably eat my body weight in chips and queso.
Favorite Recording Artist or Author? My favorite adult author is Abby Jimenez, followed by Kate Morton. I could never pick a favorite children's author but Lucy Strange, Tammi Sauer, Aaron Reynolds, Sandra Boynton, James Dean and Eric Litwin, Mo Willems, Jane Yolen, and Aaron T. Higgins for sure.
Do you have a secret skill or talent? I've had an in-home bakery for almost 9 years and I owe that to the support and encouragement of the El Reno Library ladies who became our first friends when we moved to El Reno 10 years ago. My specialty is custom sugar cookies but I don't take orders often since starting at the library.
What is the biggest challenge when it comes to getting youth excited about reading? Convincing parents that graphic novels and audio books absolutely count as reading. Most of our youth are excited about reading, we just need to get out of their way sometimes and let them lean into what interests them. Yes, even if it's Dogman for the 500th time. Not every book they read needs to be grade level. Also, you're never too old for picture books!
Pictured is Casey Taylor and her husband, Blake.