Librarian Kerry Littel with Jamie Thome
As a person who interacts with books in multiple ways, I’m constantly interested in the reasons why a person chooses to surround themselves with books, in whatever ways they do so. I’m fascinated by the variations of ways that books might show up in people’s lives: as escape through story, as art pieces, as objects of desire.
Thus, I’m intrigued by librarians of all sorts. Not only are librarians usually the most enthusiastic people when it comes to reading and literature, they are also generally the most helpful and service-oriented folks around.
At ABH, and in these Conversations, both written and video, and in previous Quarantours, we generally focus on writers, paper makers, book artists, printmakers, and storytellers. For this ABH Conversation, I wanted to chat with my friend Kerry, who is a librarian and scholar, to find out more about what makes a librarian tick. Kerry is an adjunct librarian at Harper College and an Education Consultant for Franklin Covey; she also works at Evanston Public Library.
Here is our edited email conversation.
What was your path to librarianship?
It was summer of 2001 and I had just completed my Masters in Technology and Education from Teachers College. After returning to Illinois, I was offered the position of Technology Coach at an amazing elementary school in Lake Bluff. This opportunity changed the course of my life in more ways than one.
Side note: not only is this where I realized that I wanted to become a librarian, but this is where I met a woman named Jane; who I ended up babysitting for; who later would introduce me to her nephew; who then smiled with a look of "I told you so" right before I walked down the aisle to marry him.
As much as I loved being a Technology Coach, something was still missing. Lucky for me, I didn't have to go far to figure out what that was because part of my responsibility as the Technology Coach was to oversee the library. This is when the light bulbs went on! I knew right there that I wanted to be a librarian. Unfortunately, the school was not in a place to create a librarian position so this meant I needed to part ways. Lucky for me, I found that opportunity in Morton Grove at Thomas Edison Elementary.
Since I already had an elementary education degree, I was told that all I needed to become a librarian was an endorsement. This sounded great (since I had just completed a degree and meant I didn't have to student teach again); however once I started looking into the coursework, I knew that if I really wanted to become a librarian, I needed to earn the entire degree. So, back to school I went again to earn my Masters in Library Science from University of Illinois. Since graduating with a MLIS, I have been fortunate to work as a librarian in an elementary school, high school, college and a public library!
That’s one of the fun things about a degree in librarianship--the career possibilities are endless!
It is important for me to share that my path to librarianship may have never happened (or maybe not as soon as it did) without one significant event during my junior year in high school. In the spring of 1993, my dad was approached by Augustana College to coach tennis. Having just retired from coaching at another university, he wasn’t really interested because he’d never been able to watch me play since our seasons were always at the same time. Well, Augie wasn’t going to take no for an answer so they approached him one more time with another idea: instead of watching me for 1 year, he could watch (and coach) me for 4 years, AND I could attend tuition free. Well, you can only imagine how I felt. I didn't like the idea of (and definitely rebelled against it) college being chosen for me nor that the chosen college was in my hometown, but it was one of the best things that could've happened, not only because of the fabulous education I received and the opportunity to play for and learn from my father, but because I left undergraduate school with no debt. I know this is not everyone’s story and I am forever grateful for the gift I was given. It allowed me to get a jump start on my career and I wouldn’t be where I am today without that gift.
Why did you become a librarian? What is it about librarianship that drew you to it as a career path?
In my opinion, it is the best of education all wrapped into one position! It's a unique position in which you have the opportunity to work with every single person within a school. I love that! Every day is different and there's always something new to learn.
You have multiple degrees. Please talk to us about how those learning experiences influence your life and career now, and how they intersect in your current work.
Great question. Looking back at my career, I never planned on having multiple degrees. However, as each path of my journey began to take shape, I always felt there was more I could learn. Plus...I truly just love learning!
Thinking about my career(s), I am fortunate to have worked with some amazing people who were willing to give me a chance, beginning with my first elementary librarian job (without a degree...yet) to my first high school librarian job where I was entrusted with redesigning the new and improved 2-floor school library to now becoming a college librarian and education consultant. Having someone believe in your greatness empowers you to see it within yourself and honestly, that’s truly what has influenced me the most in my life and career. Interestingly, as I’m reflecting on this more (while sitting in the airport after spending the day with an outstanding faculty in New Jersey), it’s what I strive to do with every opportunity I have.
What is your favorite thing about your job as a librarian?
The ever changing world of the library! There's always something new to learn.... How fun is that?!
My other favorite thing is the people. The library is a unique and special place because at any point you can find people of all ages, backgrounds, cultures, experiences sharing and learning in one space.
How do you approach research when a patron asks you to find something difficult?
These are the most fun; who doesn't like a challenge? I've always said that librarians don't know all the answers, but we can help you find the answer!
I'm always interested in what research path the patron has already taken and so gathering as much detail as possible is important to me. What keywords/phrases did they try? What databases, if any, did they explore? Even the smallest bit of information can make a difference in finding the answer.
In addition to the initial research interview, I find value in doing the research alongside the patron so that they begin to gain the confidence and skills to conduct their own research.
What kinds of books do you enjoy reading? What are your favorite books to recommend to patrons?
I do love a good suspense/mystery novel and recently I am finding myself gravitating towards nonfiction narratives and realistic fiction that warms the heart and soul.
Honestly, I am open to reading almost anything, unless it's got an animal in it, especially a dog. I'm a complete mess when it comes to a dog that's lost its way or is separated from its family; honestly any struggle or challenge and I'm out. I know my limits and that's it!
When thinking about books that I enjoy recommending to patrons, it all depends. As much as I want someone to like my favorite book(s), it's not about me.
But—some of my favs are:
I am the Messenger by Markus Zusak (the ending still gets me!)
Moonflower Murders by Anthony Horowitz (or any of his novels)
My Grandmother Asks Me to Tell You She's Sorry by Fredrik Backman (it touched on every emotion... and yes, there's a dog in this story, but it gets a pass)
It's Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini
The Guest List by Lucy Foley
In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
How do you approach readers' advisory? (How do you figure out what books a person might respond to?)
One thing that has always helped me with readers' advisory is knowing the collection. The more informed I am of what the library owns, the better I'm able to assist in finding the right book for a person.
I also enjoy learning which books/movies/podcasts/etc the person enjoyed or didn't enjoy, and maybe more importantly, why. Is this the writing style? character development? the pacing? or something else?
Lastly, gotta build those relationships! Establishing strong long-lasting relationships with patrons builds trust, cultivates community, assists in collection development, and of course creates repeat business!
What advice would you give someone who wants to become a librarian? What advice do you wish you'd gotten?
Not sure what advice I wish I'd gotten. Maybe that I didn't really need ALL that loan money to attend school in New York. However, it definitely made it way more fun!
For advice that I would give (and I would actually extend this to everyone): Trust yourself, follow your passions and enjoy the journey.
I do feel that things happen for a reason; life presents opportunities when we least expect them and whether we take notice or embrace the opportunity is up to us. Be open and take every experience and interaction as an opportunity to learn and grow. You never know where it will lead you!