What is readers’ advisory, and how will you help Oshkosh Public Library patrons in your new role? Traditionally, Readers’ Advisory is suggesting fiction and nonfiction titles to readers through a direct conversation, or indirectly by creating displays and book lists.
I like to say that Readers’ Advisory is the “library matchmaking service” connecting people with the materials that interest them! In 2021, I expand those materials to be books, audiobooks, DVDs, CDs, or any other material that we provide here at the library. Books are definitely my personal speciality, but I hope to help OPL patrons connect with whatever they’re looking for. I also hope to build on those connections, and introduce people with other materials that OPL has to offer that people didn’t even know they wanted or liked.
I’m so excited to meet you all and talk about your interests!
How do you stay knowledgeable about books, authors, and the wide variety of materials available to patrons? There are so many great things out there and staying current is my biggest challenge! I read voraciously like books are going to stop being published, but sadly I will never be able to read all of the books. On top of my own (ever growing) “To Be Read” pile, I read library magazines, and book publishing websites and reviews. OPL also subscribes to NoveList, which is a fantastic book recommendation database that I frequently use. Another one of my go-to resources that people might be surprised that I use, is Goodreads! I’ll often search Goodreads for seeing what is popular and trending, and then research those titles using Publishers Weekly or Kirkus reviews. My co-workers are an indispensable resource, and a personal review is the best review.
Continuing off of that, the best way to stay up-to-date with what patrons are interested in? The patrons! Yes, you! Some of my favorite suggestions have come from conversations with patrons (I never would have read The Golem and the Jinni if a patron hadn’t gushed about it), and I absolutely love to hear about what you’re reading.
What inspired you to become a librarian? I had a slow realization that I wanted to become a librarian. My original career path was to be a doctor! I graduated from Marquette University with a major in Biological Sciences and a minor in History, and I was actually looking for biological research jobs when I applied for a page position at a local library. Seeing librarians helping people with such a range of things from picking out picture books, to ACT prep, and to filling out job applications, resonated with me and my core want for my career: to help people.
I fell in love with library service, and after speaking with every librarian in sight about their career path, I stopped looking for research jobs, and I started looking for library graduate programs.
Tell us a little about your work experience. My first library job was part-time as a Page at the Lake Villa District Library in Illinois, and was promoted to Circulation Clerk after six months. I was accepted to UW-Milwaukee’s graduate school, and started working full-time at Milwaukee Public Library, first as a Circulation Assistant, then as a Reference Assistant. As a Reference Assistant, I co-chaired the library’s Adult Literacy Committee and joined four other committees that had the shared mission of creating accessible programming and resources for patrons, and building community partnerships.
I graduated from UW-Milwaukee last May and this is my first librarian position! I don’t think I can fully express how excited I am to be here, and how this is my dream job working with all of you!
What are you reading, watching, and listening to now? After being told to watch it for years, I am finally going to start binge-watching The Mandalorian. I listen to podcasts while I run, and it’s recently been My Favorite Murder. It freaks me out and makes me run faster! I saved the best question for last. I recently finished two books: The Midnight Library by Matt Haig, as it’s insanely popular and I needed to know all about it; and Outlawed by Anna North, which I would describe it as feminist Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. I just picked up The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab and I can’t wait to get lost in it.
