*Featured image credit: https://www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/10-reasons-people-read-lot-likely-successful.html

Today has been a rather slow day at work, so I asked one of my librarian friends to sit down and have a chat with me about programs and what books she is loving right now. I thought it would be cool to bring another librarian’s perspective to my blog. Enjoy!

How long have you been a librarian?

3 years as an Assistant Young Adult Specialist.

What is your favorite part of your job?

I enjoy interacting with teens and enriching their lives. Sometimes when I have a teen who comes to my programs who is not a very confident reader, I love finding a book for them that makes them love to read.

What is your favorite program that you have ever hosted/planned?

It would probably be the Poetry Jam that I co-hosted this past July because it brought the community together. It was the most attended program over the summer and it fostered a collaborative environment for our community story-tellers.

What are your future plans in the library field?

My goals as a librarian are to create community-oriented programs for all ages. I would like to continue applying for grants and do more outreach in rural school systems.

What are you reading right now?

Currently, I am reading The Librarian of Auschwitz by Antonio Iturve, which is a YA novel. It’s a fantastic historical non-fiction book and I am excited to really get into it.

What are your top 3 favorite books that you have ever read?

1. My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry by Fredrick Backman. It creates a universe inside of a universe inside of a universe that has supernatural elements. It’s a story about real loss and a sense of family and community. The world-building in it is incredible.
2. I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson. There are real issues and coping with issues in a very artistic way. It has a happy ending that most YA books don’t have, which is nice.
3. Paper Towns by John Green. Only because it’s set in my hometown, though. It’s very sentimental to me because I read it as I was moving away from my hometown.

Any advice for future librarians?

My advice to any future librarian is to plan big things. Have big ideas and if no one comes- try again. I would also say make really good friends with your fellow librarians. They are great resources for ideas and book recommendations. Also, dollar crafts will get you through budget cuts! *

Until next time- Go to a program at your local library!

-Lit Librarian