What is your favorite movie or TV show?

Parks and Recreation (TV Show); Rocketman (movie)

 

What was the last five-star book you read?

Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by VE Schwab

 

What is your preferred caffeinated beverage and how much do you drink of it each day?

Lattes (particularly honey vanilla or honey lavender) and I, surprisingly, have maybe 1 a day, sometimes not even that!

 

Tell us about your journey to working in libraries.

I went into my undergrad program under a publishing degree and thought that I'd work in NYC at one of the Big 5 publishers. However, I quickly realized that I didn't like NYC, nor did I want to be assigned reading for my job because I thought it'd sour my passion for reading in my personal life. But I wanted to still work with books and have more of a service aspect to my job. My professor at the time (now friend of mine) suggested I check out (no pun intended) the local public library because her partner worked there and it might be a good fit. I started in internship there, and fell in love with libraries and never looked back!

 

Do you have a favorite PA Forward literacy (basic, information, civic and social, health, or financial)?  Why is that your favorite?

Basic because basic literacy is the gateway to communicating and engaging with the larger world! And it is, in a lot of ways, what opens the door to the other 4 literacies.

 

How did you first get involved in PaLA? Did you receive encouragement from anyone in particular?

I joined when I got my first library management role and while I was still in my graduate program because I thought that it would help me development my career and connect me to the greater PA library world (and it has!).

 

How has your PaLA membership helped you?

It's connected me to colleagues across the state and given me a network of support when I've needed it most. It gave me opportunities for professional development through the Director's Institute, Mentorship program, and annual conference, which is one of my favorite weeks out of the year.

 

What advice would you give to new members, or someone considering membership?

Take advantage of all of the things that PaLA offers! Making professional connections, attending professional development opportunities, and joining committees is such a great way to stay connected to your local colleagues and build your career. I don't know where I'd be without the support of people throughout the organization. In a time where being in the library field can feel challenging and isolating, having this group to pull strength fun can be worth everything.

 

Do you have a favorite PaLA Annual Conference location or experience?  Why is that your favorite?

Harrisburg because that's right in my backyard. Though, I did enjoy Erie.