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Naomi House’s interview with success story Jessica.

Naomi:  How did you find your current job?
Jessica:  I think I first heard about it through the Syracuse iSchool listserv, but I had been routinely checking AACPL’s jobs page, as a friend from library school worked there in the past and had a good experience.

Naomi:  Favorite library you have been to?
Jessica:  Definitely the Hatcher Graduate Library at the University of Michigan. The reading room is gorgeous! This might be biased since I worked there, but the brand new Owings Mills branch of the Baltimore County Public Library is fantastic too.

Naomi:  Favorite book?
Jessica:  You’re asking a librarian to pick a favorite book? I’m quite fond of The Hunger Games series.

Naomi:  Favorite thing about libraries/ library technology?
Jessica:  I think one of my current favorite things is roving librarians with iPads/laptops. In my experience, librarians can reach out to and help so many more patrons by roving, and when you have your catalog right there in the stacks, it makes the patron experience all the better. I know many patrons are hesitant to go to the information desk to ask for help, but are thrilled when you walk up to them with an iPad.

Naomi:  Any websites or feeds or blogs we should be following?
Jessica:  Hands down, Hiring Librarians (hiringlibrarians.com). I truly believe I could not have gotten where I am without it.

Naomi:  Best piece of job hunting advice?
Jessica:  This is easier said than done, but be pickier. I got more interviews when I stopped putting out so many applications and instead applied to those I knew I would be a good fit for. I got my first professional job because I had either done everything in the job description or had a good explanation of how I would do it. On that note, don’t be deterred if you don’t 100% match the experience! You’ve never organized a storytime program before? Talk about something you have organized!

I am a born-and-raised Michigander living in metro DC/Baltimore (I apparently have an accent, who knew?). I recently graduated with my MSLIS from Syracuse University in December 2012, and just started as a Librarian I for the Anne Arundel County Public Library. Additionally, I’m still working a few shifts in my former position as a part time Librarian for the Baltimore County Public Library. I started my information goddess journey as an undergrad at Central Michigan University’s Music Resource Center, and moved on to Pere Marquette District Library in Clare, MI as a library assistant. I then moved to Maryland for an internship with the Department of State’s Office of eDiplomacy, where I worked on super cool things like the State Department’s internal wiki! Besides geeking out over the latest library technology, I enjoy hanging out with my husband and cats, baking cupcakes, and spending exorbitant amounts of money on annual passes to Walt Disney World.