This interview is over 1 year old and may no longer be up to date or reflect the interviewee/interviewees’ positions
Naomi House’s interview with Meredith McGowan, success story and librarian!
Naomi: How did you find your current job?
Meredith: I contacted a grad school friend of mine who worked in the contracting services business. She was able to connect me with a wonderful recruiter who has consistently kept me employed for the last year.
Naomi: Favorite library you have been to?
Meredith: I believe in diamonds in the rough and East Los Angeles Library is one of those hidden treasures. It is situated on a lake and has beautiful surroundings. Inside, the library is an art piece! There is intricate tile work and colorful surroundings. Through many generous donations, there is a Chicano Resource Center that caters to the local community and the academic scholars. Don’t forget the fabulous Farmer’s Market every Saturday with vendors like Homeboyz Bakery and the incredible mango fresca!
Naomi: Favorite book?
Meredith: Hands down, Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett. I dreamed of owning a goat farm in England for weeks afterward. The haunting story stayed with me.
Naomi: Favorite thing about libraries/library technology?
Meredith: For the last year, I have worked in inner-city libraries where the community depends on services, such as computers and programming for youth, for free. This is the most important aspect of my profession. We provide information, activities, basic and necessary technology and information for free to all of the community.
Naomi: Any websites or feeds or blogs we should be following?
Meredith: Well, of course, INALJ! For me, I use Pinterest for ideas. There is so much information out there. It is good to not be limited to just a few websites, but be able to filter the good from the bad and take information beneficial to you!
My name is Meredith McGowan and I am a Prius-driving, book-loving Foodie who is a Librarian by nature! I was a preschool teacher for 16 years, while I got my undergraduate degree in Liberal Studies at CSUN, with the intent on shifting into life as an elementary school teacher. Serendipity would have it, that I was contacted by my old Alma Mater, that they were implementing a new MLIS program through the University of North Texas. I enrolled in the very first cohort that CSUN offered. I absolutely loved grad school! I graduated with Phi Kappa Phi honors. Finding a full-time permanent job wasn’t as easy as I thought. I am currently contracting with the County of Los Angeles, making many network connections and am on a list for an interview for permanent employment through the county.