Each month, an ALSC member is profiled and we learn a little about their professional life and a bit about their not-so-serious side. Using just ten questions, we try to keep the profiles fun while highlighting the variety of members in our organization. This month, our candidate bravely volunteered to participate. So, without further ado, welcome to our ALSC profile, ten questions with ALSC member, Lynda Salem-Poling.
1. What do you do, and how long have you been doing it?
I’m a Youth Services Librarian in Long Beach, CA. My 14 year anniversary here in Long Beach will be in August. Before that I worked as a paraprofessional librarian at my grad school library. And before that I paged for about 6 years. (YAY, pages!)
2. How long have you been an ALA member? Why did you join ALSC? Do you belong to any other ALA divisions or roundtables?
I’ve been a member of ALA for 13 years, and an ALSC member for just as long. I joined shortly after starting as a full-time librarian so that I could access all of the resources that ALA and ALSC provide. I’m also a member of YALSA, PLA, and IFRT.
3. Elephant or Piggie or Fly Guy?
Oooo…I am Elephant AND Piggie. Both a bit shy and thoughtful and bouncy and exuberant.
4. What do you hope to accomplish in your professional career?
My dream is to serve on the Newbery Committee. I look forward to the Newbery announcement with the same fervor that some save for the Oscars.
5. What’s your favorite book to read aloud?
I love, love, love to read Tacky the Penguin by Helen Lester. The louder and more off-key you sing “How many toes does a fish have?” the better, I think. I also love chanting the hunters’ march (as a matter of fact, I used to say it while I chased my daughter around when she was a toddler). I think I’m Tacky, too.
6. E-books or Print?
Depends. What am I doing? Paper books still have the feel advantage (ooo the heft and the paper) but there is something to having a book in my pocket at all times.
7. Do you have a “guilty pleasure” TV show?
I will deny this to my dying day, but I love (and miss now that my daughter’s too old and my son’s too young) The Backyardigans.
8. What movie monster would you hate to find under your bed?
I would feel really bad if The Blob was stuck with hiding under my bed. It would get covered with all the dust under there and might choke on the toys. It would wind up looking like a tribble. The plus side for me would be that I wouldn’t have to sweep under there anymore.
9. Eating out or eating at home?
Both. My husband and I are both foodies. We love the eating out experience, and we love to cook. My husband was a line cook for years and he’s taught me a lot about cooking.
10. Favorite part of being a Children’s Librarian?
I love helping children look for information, especially when it isn’t for school, but something that just interests them. I also love storytimes and play groups. And I love learning or creating crafts for the older kids. And I love selecting (and deselecting) books for the collection. And I love giving book recommendations, and I love getting book recommendations. But the decorating, I could do without.
Okay, so normally, we just have ten questions. Lynda had such fun answers — and I couldn’t decide which ones to cut — so I’m using editorial discretion and going with twelve questions instead of ten.
11. Campfire or fireplace?
Whichever I can make s’mores on. Since its summer, I’d probably say campfire right now. Ask me in January and I’ll probably say fireplace. But the s’mores are non-negotiable.
12. Favorite age of kids to work with?
Toddlers and teens, both for the same reason. Both ages are totally open to new experiences and will try new things. And both have the whole world of possibilities and opportunities open to them.
Thanks, Lynda! What a fun continuation to our monthly profile feature! (Lynda can be reached at lyndalybraryan@gmail.com or at lynda.poling@lbpl.org.)
Do you know someone who would be a good candidate for our ALSC Monthly Profile? Are YOU brave enough to answer our ten questions? Send your name and email address to alscblog@gmail.com; we’ll see what we can do.
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