Meet A Member: Janice Hummel

 

What is your current position?

Assistant Head of Circulation

When did you first know that you wanted to be a librarian?
Well, I'm not a librarian--I'm the Assistant Head of Circulation at the Ashburn Library. I love dealing with the public and have learned so much about what makes people happy when it comes to reading.

What was your first library job? I worked one day a week at the Cascades Library. It never seemed like enough time!

What is your favorite part of librarianship?
It's like a scavenger hunt. Finding exactly what the borrower is looking for...trying
to decipher their needs....just spreading the joy of reading. I especially like when
the teens come in, because they really have a clear sense of what they like and do tend to mix things up.

What is the funniest thing that has ever happened to you on the job? I recently had a teen borrower come up to the checkout desk to ask if we had pillows to borrow. I'm all about being comfy when reading a good book, but come on now!

If you could have anything in the universe installed in your office for your personal use, what would it be?
"Well, an espresso machine is right up there :) I would like a clear acrylic wall so that I could leave myself notes that I could just look over and see. Every time I watch TMZ (don't judge me!) they have this wall, and I love it."

What is something your colleagues would be surprised to know about you?
That even though I've done a lot of public speaking lately on the needs of the LGBTQ community and diversity in general, public speaking TERRIFIES me! But, you do what you need to do to get the information out there.  

Interview conducted by Gregg Grunow.
Want to be featured on Meet A Member? E-mail Gregg at [email protected].
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