I have been using the public library all of my life. Some of my earliest memories as a child were of being surrounded by all the books at the Highland Branch library, which was my local library. I’m even vaguely aware of their previous location. Most of my free time was spent going to the library with my sisters and checking out big stacks of books every week. The librarians there were always eager to discuss books that I had read or new programs at the library. These events early in my childhood really set the stage for the rest of my life.
Throughout my childhood and teen years I made many repeat trips to the library, yet it wasn’t until I had graduated from high school that I thought to get a job in the library. At the end of June in 1997, I started my career in libraries as a page. Then in April of 1998 I had the oppurtunity to become a clerk. I went to college locally, so that it was possible for me to continue working at the library.
I started at Monroe Community College. I wanted to become a fiction writer, however it was suggested that a degree in Mass Communications would be more sensible. I took Communications classes for about a year before I realized that this wasn’t the route I wanted to take with my life. I started taking more and more literature courses and decided to continue my education at SUNY Geneseo, where I became an English major.
I explored a variety of genres and time periods while at Geneseo. There was very little about English literature that I did not like, and I soaked up as much as I could. I also rediscovered an interest in Photography, which I had taken when I was in high school at Nazareth Academy. I then added a minor in Studio Arts and immersed myself in arts classes, taking classes such as Jewelry I and II, Photography I and II and Wood Design.
I hadn’t decided what I was going to do after Geneseo until near the end of my degree.
Becoming a librarian had never occured to me, even though being in libraries was something that I loved. Plus I would be able to use my love of literature and share it with others around me, while getting paid for it! I think it then occured to me that I would be best suited to share my love of literature with young people. As I watched children come to the library just to use the Internet or hang out with friends and not to find a good book to read, I knew that I needed to find creative ways to get kids to read. Therefor, with the blessings of all of the librarians at Highland, I began my studies at the University of Buffalo after graduating from Geneseo.
During my studies at Buffalo, I found it highly useful that I was able to make use of and apply many of the things that I was learning to my work at Highland. While I wasn’t able to answer any reference questions yet, I was always aware of what was going on around me. I also feel that working as a part-time clerk and going to Buffalo full-time to get my degree made me more aware of how I should set my priorities. I am grateful that the director at Highland challenged me and set high goals for me so that I could challenge myself as well as strengthen my abilities.
After graduating from Buffalo in December 2002, I interviewed for a couple of substitute jobs just to get my foot in the door, but without much luck. Then in late April, I interviewed for a part-time general reference librarian position in Hilton, NY. Having grown up in the City of Rochester, I had no idea where Hilton was, and as I drove to the inteview, it felt like the drive went on forever.
I made it to the interview, and after a lively discussion with the director, she hired me. I thought that perhaps I would keep the job until a full-time position became available, but I soon found out that my thoughts would come true sooner that I could imagine.
After less than three months of being a librarian, the director offered me a full-time job. I then became the full-time youth services librarian. But before I could even blink, she told me that she was retiring and that I would be acting director for a little while. Imagine my suprise to go from part-time general librarian to full-time youth services librarian to acting director within a couple of minutes! After my breathing became normal again, I said okay, and with the help of the wonderful staff at Hilton, I did manage to do it for about two months, after which Sally Snow, my current director, took over for me.
So here I am now. Youth services librarian at the Parma Public Library. I order books for children and teenagers, create new and interesting programs for children and teens that keep them interested in the library and reading, I help check out books when its busy, help teens untangle yarn that they are knitting, give four year olds silly stickers or dragonfly stamps, confront teenagers when they are being rude to other patrons or staff, find books on lizards and (my favorite part of the job) accept smiles and gratitude when I find exactly the right thing for someone when they couldn’t remember what they wanted or needed.
I am so glad that my parents and the librarians at Highland encouraged me when I was young. I can’t imagine a more difficult and rewarding job, and I will forever be greatful to them.

I just can’t help myself.

Your Life Work: The Librarian