Hooked on Books

What are your favorite books?

There are so many books—it’s difficult to choose favorites! I go back and forth between fiction and nonfiction. For contemporary authors, I like Richard Ford and Richard Russo. I always pick up the latest mystery from the Irish writer John Banville, though they tend to be pretty dark. Graham Greene is another favorite author.

What made you interested in becoming a librarian?

As a student at WWU, I had a part-time job in the library. I was supposed to shelve books and do odd jobs, but because I had done so much research for my major, the head reference librarian (Ray McInnis) let me help students with their research. Mr. McInnis encouraged me to apply to graduate school and become a librarian.

What was your first librarian job?

My first professional library position was in a King County governmental agency, primarily working with technical reports and environmental impact statements. I provided lots of research assistance to engineers and planners, but we were also open to the public and got all kinds of questions. You wouldn’t believe how passionate some people are about buses.

How has being a librarian changed?

Like most professions, the internet and technology changed everything. When I started graduate school, the University of Washington still had a massive card catalog system and rows and rows of print journals. When the first library I worked at switched to an online catalog, we continued printing out a paper index for years because the system was unreliable. Now, almost all research is conducted online using research databases and we can listen to audiobooks on our phones.

While the way information is created, stored and accessed has changed, the reason students go to the library remains the same—a need to locate the material that matches their research needs or interests. And students still stop by to check out books because they love to read.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

I love interacting with students and helping them in whatever way I can. I love when students tell me about books they are reading or suggest new titles for our collection. It’s great to work equally with middle school and high school teachers and students. I also enjoy attending extracurricular events like the school’s incredible theater productions, athletic events and the annual Art Walk.

At EC, you are much more than our resident librarian.

One aspect of my job that I enjoy is the opportunity to step out of the traditional role of a librarian. One example is being a Mentor teacher. With a few changes, I’ve had the same group of students since their freshman year (some I’ve known since they were in seventh grade). It’s been fun watching the students grow (in more ways than one) and be able to experience their journey to senior year. I will miss this group, but I can’t wait to see them graduate.

I run the middle school Battle of the

Books reading competition which is always fun. I’m proud to say the Eastside Catholic team has been Archdiocesan champs for three years running. I also work with the A-to-Z affinity groups in middle school and high school and am an advisor to the Manga Club. Some of my favorite memories of EC have occurred while chaperoning events outside school like Destiny, the sixth grade NatureBridge trip to Olympic National Park and Senior Pilgrimage. I also occasionally fill in as an emergency substitute teacher.

What is your biggest challenge?

My biggest challenge is trying to keep up with the excellence and energy that the incredible EC teachers and staff bring to school every day. I am blessed to be able to work with some incredibly brilliant and caring individuals.

What advances or changes do you see on the horizon?

We have seen so many trends and fads in the 30-plus years I have been a librarian that I don’t try to predict what’s coming next. At one time, we thought all new books would only be released on CDs! Change will happen but what will stay the same is libraries will always be safe, welcoming places with something for everyone.

What have you learned from working with EC students?

Apparently, I was a slacker in high school! The students at EC are involved in so many activities—student leadership, band, choir, National Honor Society, volunteer work, athletics, robotics, on and on. It’s impressive how gifted our students are.