Youth Services Librarian
One day in the second grade, my class was in the school’s library. We were all sitting on the floor listening as our school librarian read us a story. When she was done, she went around the circle, asking us what we wanted to be when we grew up. As I waited for my turn to speak, I thought hard about what the best answer would be. Never one to pass up an opportunity to suck up to an adult, when it was my turn, I said, “I want to be a librarian, just like you!” That was all it took for me to decide on a career path. From that moment, my number one goal was to be a librarian.
I was born in South Carolina, but grew up in the suburbs of Detroit,
Michigan. I’m the youngest of 4 kids; my siblings are all at least 13 years older than me, so for most of my life I felt like an only child. As a kid, I loved to read, write, play outside, and do arts and crafts. I have always been a bit of a goofy weirdo; in the sixth grade, I wrote a 50 page novella inspired by the 90s sitcom Martin where all the human characters were replaced by cats. If I somehow couldn’t make it as a librarian, my back-up plan was to be a novelist, a standup comedian, or a Saturday Night Live cast member.
I went to college in Detroit at Wayne State University, where I earned a bachelors degree in sociology and a masters degree in library and information science. Since graduating, I have worked in seven different libraries in three states. In 2014, I moved from Detroit to Dayton, Ohio to work as a teen librarian at the Dayton Metro Library. While working there, I met my future husband, and I moved down to
Northern Kentucky to be with him. After commuting back and forth to Dayton for a year, I was very happy to accept a job with BCPL as a youth services librarian at the Main Library.
When I started at BCPL, I focused on teens, but last year I made the transition to storytime and elementary school-age programming. I have always loved working with kids, but I was terrified to start doing storytime. Imagine my surprise when I began doing storytimes and discovered that it’s one of my favorite things ever. Storytime allows me to blend all of my interests into one outlet. I get to be creative by singing and playing the ukulele, making flannel board stories, and designing craft projects, and I’m also able to have fun and be silly with the kids. It’s not stand-up comedy, but it’s even better! I love being able to entertain (and educate!) my storytime families.
Outside of the library, I love practicing my ukulele, working on art and craft projects, watching Hallmark movies, and thrift shopping. I sell vintage and modern clothing on the internet as a hobby, which allows me to thrift shop as much as I want and my husband can’t get mad. I have started selling my crafts at local holiday craft fairs with my friend (and co-worker) Susan. Our little business is called Yarnwood, Kentucky and we sell crocheted accessories, plush toys, and laser-cut wooden jewelry.
My whole life, I have hated sports, but in the last five years, I have become a basketball fanatic. I love the NBA and during the height of basketball season, I typically watch at least one game a night. My favorite teams are the Golden State Warriors and the Detroit Pistons. My husband and I travel to several games every year. Last year I even booked the same hotel that the Warriors stay at in Indianapolis so that I’d be able to see the players up close. It was amazing! My other favorite sport is women’s collegiate gymnastics, and my last vacation was to Fort Worth, Texas, in order to see the NCAA championship in April.
Finally, I’m a big animal lover. Last year, I was able to spend an hour with Moe, the Cincinnati Zoo’s sloth and it was one of the best days of my life! I am a proud cat lady and have two kitties, Beemo and Bae Bae. I am also the primary caretaker of our library lizard, Luna the crested gecko. If it was up to me (and it wouldn’t make my house smell disgusting), I would have a ton of pets.
Working at BCPL is the best. We have a great staff and wonderful patrons. I am so happy to be able to do my part to promote lifelong learning in Boone County.