What’s your role at the Somerville Public Library?
I am a youth services librarian focusing on services for teens and tweens. I work at the Central library, but I'm excited to also check out the East and West branches.
What do you wish people knew about the Somerville Public Library?
Just how many wonderful programs we have for all ages! For kids, there's a ton of great book groups at both the West library and Central (including a new LGBTQ+ book group for teens/tweens that I'm hoping to start in the next few months!). For teens, we have a new Anime Club that will be starting in February, as well as Dungeons and Dragons and video game tournaments. Definitely check out the calendar and browse through -- 2022 is going to be a great year for programming at Somerville.
Tell me about something or someone who influenced your decision to work in libraries.
I originally worked in publishing after college, but I found that the business side of things to be a bit... soul crushing. I'd always worked in libraries since I was in high school, so it felt like the natural choice when I realized publishing wasn't for me. I get to still work with books, but also with the wonderful people who love them as much as I do.
What types of books do you enjoy reading most?
I'm a big YA reader but I also have a soft spot for adult romance and true crime nonfiction. I never read much adult fiction or nonfiction at all until I started working in a library and had the opportunity to try a lot of new books without the commitment of buying them. YA is still my favorite, though -- specifically horror and fantasy.
What might someone be surprised to know about you?
I grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah, where the 2002 Winter Olympics were held. As a result, I lived within half an hour of all of the various Olympic sports facilities, so I wound up doing skeleton (it's like luge, but you face with your head first on the sled) for a couple of years when I was a teenager. I wasn't very good at it, but I had a lot of fun!
If you weren't working at the library, what would you be doing instead?
I minored in psychology in undergrad, so in a different life, I'd probably be a therapist. Mental health and wellness are super important to me, especially these days when I think everyone could use a little extra self care.
What do you like to do outside of the library?
I'm a huge nerd, so I play a lot of video games and board games (RPGs are my favorite) in my free time. I also love getting outside and hiking when the weather is nicer. When it's cold like this, though, you can usually find me bundled up inside playing a game, reading, or writing.
