Introducing Amber, Abbie, Alex, and Gracie – Our Amazing Summer Staff!
We have an amazing crew this summer keeping the library open, and processing hundreds of letters arriving for Prisoner Express.
I asked them about “alternatives”, and to share what surprised them about working at the library. Here are their answers, corresponding left to right in the image 🙂
Alex, Amber, Gracie, and Abby – Summer 2018
Alex:
Q : What is an alternative that you discovered in the library’s collection?
A : I’m not sure how “alternative” it is, but Guerilla Advertising is a really cool book explaining how companies use somewhat unorthodox methods of promoting their brands and messages.
Q : What is one thing that has surprised you about working at the library so far?
A : I’m surprised by the number of people who check out DVDs.
Amber:
Q : What is an alternative that you discovered in the library’s collection?
A : While re-shelving the children’s section, I was glad to find more than a few books that showed positive representation of the LGBT+ community. It was refreshing to see books that aim to teach children to appreciate the diversity in their communities from a young age.
Q : What is one thing that has surprised you about working at the library so far?
A : Working with the Prisoner Express Program, I get to read the creative writing of many people who are incarcerated. Perhaps “surprised” isn’t the right word, but I am always blown away by the quality and thoughtfulness of their work. It has also been wonderful to see individual authors improve their skills over the months I’ve worked here as they continue to write.
Grace :
Q : What is an alternative that you discovered in the library’s collection?
This summer we found a book in the library called “The Wellness Guide for Senior Dogs.” I love that our collection contains books like this- while it may not appeal to the interests of the majority of library patrons, it’s certainly the perfect book for somebody! One they probably wouldn’t be able to find elsewhere.
Q : What is one thing that has surprised you about working at the library so far?
It’d be difficult to choose just one surprising thing about this library… almost everyday I discover something new! It’s fun to see patrons come in and immediately find themselves immersed in a variety of different things: our french-pressed coffee, collaborative puzzle effort, the tape snake, and of course our alternative collection.
Abby :
Q : What is an alternative that you discovered in the library’s collection?
My favorite alternative in the Alternative Library is the layout! As a kid, I remember having a deep appreciation for the Dewey Decimal system, but the Alternatives Library is organized in a way that draws me to different sections and ideas that I wouldn’t normally link together. My favorite corner of the library is the intersection of social justice issues and spirituality, where you’re also surrounded by books about travel and urban studies. I think that life is naturally more layered and full of interesting junctures than it is compartmentalized and I love that the library reflects that!
Q : What is one thing that has surprised you about working at the library so far?
The most surprising thing about working at this library is that we have a piano in here! I think putting a piano in a library is maybe the most inviting and alternative thing ever — I hope it stays here forever.
We’re putting together the pieces…
Abby, Grace, Alex, and Amber
