1. What is your official title?
My official title is Director of the Blue Island Public Library.
2. When did you start?
I started part-time on April 15 and full-time on May 19. My first five weeks were part-time because I was finishing up the semester in the library at Moraine Valley Community College.
3. What was your first day like?
The first day was actually our spring staff in-service and it was a blur. I was introducing myself to everyone and trying to remember all of their names. If you remember, I showed up just in time for lunch – never late for a meal!
4. What particular assets do you bring to the position of Library Director?
In my past work experiences I bagged groceries at the old Edmar’s Food Store, bussed tables at the Beverly Woods, led outdoor education classes for 5th graders at the Center in Palos Park, filled 50 pound bags with steel-hardening materials at Black Diamond Industries, landscaped in the summer heat for Quinn Landscaping, bartended at the Maple Tree Inn, sold books and presented storytimes at Barnes & Noble (I believe I even got roped into dressing up as Arthur one time), taught art at Harlan High School in Chicago, checked-out materials and led book discussions at the Palos Heights Public Library, and taught information literacy classes at Moraine Valley Community College. What does any of this have to do with the assets I bring to the Blue Island Public Library? I guess what I am saying, long-windedly, is that I consider myself well-rounded, not afraid to get dirty, and open to trying anything.
5. Tell us a little bit of what you have in store for us. Briefly, what is your philosophy of library management?
For now, to stay out of the way and let all of you build on the great work you are already doing at our Library. Many of the staff members have been here for years, in fact, some have been here since I was just starting high school. These first couple months I plan on learning how and why we do what we do, and then I will begin to exert my influence on our policies and procedures. For this summer, I will be working on housekeeping chores to make sure the Library remains neat and inviting.
6. What was the best thing you learned in library school?
The best thing I learned in library school was that the library should be designed for the user – the patrons. As staff members, we have to keep the big picture in mind and remember that is that everything we do and all the policies we make should improve the patron experience. If this isn’t true, then we need to rethink our choices.
7. What was the best thing you learned at your last job?
Working in the library at Moraine Valley opened my eyes to life in an academic setting. Prior to that, I had only worked in the public library setting and it was awakening to realize there are other ways of thinking about library offerings. I am going to try and stay in close contact with Moraine and their campus here in Blue Island.
8. What is your life like outside of the library? Do you have hobbies or pastimes?
Usually it is more exhausting to be at home than to come to work. Erika, my wife, and I have two young girls – Anna is 4 and Caroline is 2 – and they are always on the go. If you are into Play-Doh, Barbie, and Scooby Doo, then my house is perfect for you. Recently, and after the girls have gone to bed, I have been trying to get back in touch with my artistic side. I submitted an old b&w photograph to a local juried art exhibition and it was accepted, so I am feeling inspired.
9. What are you currently reading?
Book number six, Without Fail, of Lee Child’s former-military-policeman-now-hitchhiking-do-gooder Jack Reacher series is sitting on the shelf at home. I believe there are twelve in all, so I’m nearly half way through. Currently, I have been sidetracked from Jack Reacher’s life-threatening predicaments by the young adult novel The Calder Game by Chicagoan Blue Balliett. It is the third in her art-related mystery series for children and I am nearly finished – so far, so good. Richard Russo’s Bridge of Sighs is on my short list for the near future. He is a wonderful writer and I take every chance I get to promote his work.
Thanks for the opportunity and hello Blue Islanders!
