How long have you worked at John Tyler?
I’ve worked here for four and a half years, but I started as a part time person. When I was in library school, I had a friend that worked at Chester and she told me about the job, so I walked in and was interviewed. It was a good match. I like students and it’s not a disturbance if they want to ask me questions. There are no dumb questions. It’s the reason I am employed. I’ve only been full time for about six months though. It’s really fun.
Have you always been a librarian?
I’ve worked in the technology industry. I worked for a tiny internet start up. There were five employees. It’s crazy to think when google started. It blew everyones’ mind. I was also a pet sitter. That was a lot of fun. I like dogs a lot.
What made you want to become a librarian?
I taught myself to read when I was three. That has been my one thing that I have always been good at and I always read a lot and spent a lot of time at the library. So, I thought while I’m a stay at home mom, Ill go to library school. It was a natural fit.
What do you like the most about the library here at John Tyler?
Hmm. I don’t know. I mean, we have a good crew of people. Our team is good. The building is fabulous. We always try to new things. The students are really nice. It’s very diverse here. We have a lot of students from around the country with different backgrounds. There’s a lot of variety.
Where did you grow up?
I actually went to Midlothian high school. I used to work at the Midlothian Public Library in high school. That was my after school job. So, I grew up here. But, I’ve lived other places. I’ve lived abroad in Ireland. That’s where I met my husband.
How old are your kids?
One is getting ready to be eight and one just turned eleven. So they get to read all the fun stuff right now.
What’s your favorite genre of book?
Haha, I have no favorite. I read everything. I will say that I do not like southern realistic fiction and I don’t really like issues fiction where they take an issue and explore it. I especially like magical realism and I really like young adult, hahaha.
What’s your favorite book?
Oh, I have a list of about a hundred. I mean, where do you start? I really like Small World by David Lodge. I read that every couple of years. I really like The Hobbit. I’ve read that about twenty times. I really like Elizabeth Zimmerman. Her stuff is really outstanding. I really like Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand. A Dirty Job by Christopher Moore, that’s one of my favorite all time books and The Diamond Age by Neal Stephenson.
Also, Mrs. Sherry later sent us a list of her top twenty or so books….
A Dirty Job by Christopher Moore
Year of the Flood by Margaret Atwood
The Barrytown Trilogy (The Commitments, The Snapper, The Van) by Roddy Doyle
Geek Love by Katherine Dunn
Small World and Nice Work by David Lodge
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy series (Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, The Restaurant at the End of the Universe, Life the Universe and Everything, So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish) by Douglas Adams
Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell
The Diamond Age and Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson
Wild Designs by Katie Fforde
Harry Potter Series (Always an adventure, no matter how many times I read it.)
Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan (he is great for reluctant readers and kids who have a tough time at school)
Amy Tan
Isabel Allende
Elizabeth Zimmermann
What do you love most about your job?
Oh, I don’t know. I guess being around the books all the time is a real soothing thing. Does that makes sense? That’s one part. But I really like helping people out with the resources. Give them the bridge that they need. Even something simple like giving someone a library card.
Outside of work, what hobbies do you have?
Well, I knit and I dug up my front yard and planted vegetables this year. Um, and you know, mom’s taxi service. Everyone has to go to scouts and soccer and stuff and we travel quite a bit. We hiked in Yellow Stone! But reading is definitely the right job for me.
Tell us about your red shoes.....
The red shoes! You know, when I interviewed for this full time job that was the only shoe I could find that fit at DSW and so, I wore those and I have gotten so many comments on those shoes when they were just a happy, clearance, 20% off accident.
What do you look forward to the most about the Holidays?
A long vacation. I think everybody does. It makes a big difference. You come back really refreshed.
And don't forget!...
"Midlothian has a book club that meets once a month. We choose what we want to read and discuss. Our book for January is Wizard’s First Rule by Terry Goodkind. I’ll post the meeting times on LibrarySpace and on Facebook; anyone is welcome to come and join the discussion! We will also be picking the next batch of books at the January meeting." -Mrs. Sherry. : )
