Meet Natalie Coolen, Head of Circulation at Rodgers Memorial Library!

This interview is over 1 year old and may no longer be up to date or reflect the interviewee/interviewees’ positions

By Kasia Piasecka, Senior Assistant, INALJ Rhode Island

Meet Natalie Coolen, Head of Circulation at Rodgers Memorial Library!

nataliecoolenKasia: What is one thing you absolutely love about your library and/or your role there?
Natalie: From the moment I started working in my current role as the Head of Circulation at the Rodgers Memorial Library, the staff had faith in me to fulfill my job requirements. Circulation staff would come to me with questions, trusting completely that I could provide them with useful and pertinent information. It felt wonderful!

Kasia: How did you find your current job? Do you have any job hunting advice for INALJ readers?
Natalie: I found my current job by using the Advanced Search option on the ALA JobList website: http://joblist.ala.org/modules/jobseeker/advancedsearch.cfm. The ALA JobList allows job-seekers to filter search results by Keyword, City, State, Library Type, Job Category, Position Type, Minimum Salary, Years of Experience, Degree(s) Required, and Institution.

Kasia: What is your favorite library that you’ve worked in and why?
Natalie: I love working at the Rodgers Memorial Library because I work with friendly and competent staff. We’re a team sharing the same passion for cultivating an ongoing learning environment.

Kasia: What drew you to apply for your current position (library, location, and/or position)?
Natalie: With the ten years of experience I now have in the field, I have assisted with programs and services in every department. Early on, I realized that working in circulation and with young adults was the most rewarding for me personally. I truly love constantly interacting with our patrons and knowing what they’re reading. Additionally, I had proven skills in facilitating programs and emphasizing leadership qualities in the past and thought that the Head of Circulation position would best fit my personality and skill set.

Kasia: What was the hardest interview question that you’ve ever been asked? The easiest?
Natalie: I wouldn’t say that there are any hard or easy interview questions, but that it is extremely important to prepare. I would advise job-seekers to create a mock interview alongside a friend, family member, coworker, or even by yourself. There are many interview preparation websites, including Mr Library Dude on WordPress where ample amounts of questions are provided to practice with. Always stay positive with your responses.

Kasia: What is one thing you wished someone had told you before you entered the field?
Natalie: Truly nothing. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. Each morning, I am ebullient to be working in the library field.

Kasia: Which websites or blogs should we be following?
Natalie:
WEBSITES:
http://www.ala.org/yalsa/
http://inalj.com/
http://lj.libraryjournal.com/
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
http://www.voyamagazine.com/submissions/young-adult-library-services-chronology-additions/

BLOGS:
http://www.americanlibrariesmagazine.org/blog/1
http://blogs.loc.gov/loc/
http://blog.booklistonline.com/
http://bookpage.com/the-book-case
http://publiclibrariesonline.org/2012/12/blogs-by-and-for-librarians/

Kasia: Favorite book(s)?
Natalie: To name just a few: Bless the Beasts & Children by Glendon Swarthout
The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series by Alexander McCall Smith
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
Wesley the Owl: The Remarkable Love Story of an Owl and His Girl by Stacey O’Brienkasiap

Natalie Coolen recently found her new position at the Rodgers Memorial Library in Hudson, NH by using ALA Joblist. Natalie received her MLIS from the University of Rhode Island in 2012. She was featured in the Tattooed Librarians of the Ocean State calendar.

Natalie welcomes new library professionals to contact her with questions if they are seeking advice related to getting started in the library field, applying for jobs, and working in libraries. Click here for her email.