My interview with success story, Christina
Naomi: How did you find your current job?
Christina: While I mainly used INALJ for jobs out of my immediate area, I stalked the job board of RAILS (Reaching Across Illinois Library System). We’re talking literally almost every hour.
Naomi: Favorite library you have been to?
Christina: I’m no library connoisseur, but my favorite library that I’ve been to is the Addison Public Library. They are very green, from chairs made of recycled car parts, to bamboo floors, to their amazing hanging art. It’s also a big plus that the staff is extremely friendly and down to Earth.
Naomi: Favorite book?
Christina: My all-time favorite is “His Dark Materials” trilogy, followed by the Ender series and their spin-offs.
Naomi: Favorite thing about libraries/ library technology?
Christina: Personally, I think outreach is extremely important for the survival of libraries as well as the benefit of patrons. I love what technology is doing for the immediacy of library services. The better gadgets we have, the faster we can optimally serve people. Additionally, the streaming technology is a great way to compete with online retailers for the “I want it now” client.
Naomi: Any websites or feeds or blogs we should be following?
Christina: I’m going to cheat and say that I love to look for and find pictures of all the edible book art out there. It’s amazing how people interpret their favorite stories in such extraordinary ways. I am not aware of any all-encompassing blog of edible book art, but there are a lot of localized blogs featuring great pictures of inspiration.
Naomi: Best piece of job hunting advice?
Christina: The best advice has already been given: never give up. It’s so frustrating, especially when you get the denials in the mail. (Really? You couldn’t email me instead? haha) but you can’t get discouraged and you must persevere. To add a little extra that I’ve heard from a professor: don’t pigeonhole yourself with limited ideas. You have the capability of doing great things, and you might end up in a spectacular position that you never expected.
I am now an Early Literacy Librarian at Glen Ellyn Public Library in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. I have just finished the distance learning program (LEEP) from University of Illinois, and did it on one year! Now that I have it, I enjoy spending my spare time with my husband and two cats going on picnics, the drive-in, and adventures to new places – both near and far.