Meet the Staff Continues

Hello! Welcome to the fifth installment of Meet the ALSC Staff!

Who is this Person!?

I’m Aimee Strittmatter and in my role as deputy director I handle the media/awards programs; continuing education including preconference, Charlemae Rollins President’s Program, annual conference programs, Midwinter workshops, the biennial National Institute, and debuting next fall- online education courses; staff liaison for the Every Child Ready to Read® @ your Library® initiative; and general office administration.

 

Background Check

I’ve lived in the Midwest my entire life! I grew up in Algonac, Michigan on the St. Clair River and went to both Michigan State University and the University of Michigan. While I enjoyed my graduate work at the School of Information in Ann Arbor (not to mention study sessions at the Brown Jug, Count twist breadsticks at Good Time Charley’s, and sangria on the patio at Dominiks!), my heart will always bleed green for the mighty MSU Spartans!

Making the move to Chicago was not hard at all. I enjoy a view of the gorgeous Lake Michigan shoreline as I ride the bus or bike to work each morning. One of my favorite things to do is go for a walk along the lake path and stop off at the doggy beach and watch the pooches play in the sand. I also try to keep pretty active with guitar and tennis lessons, beach volleyball, and this year I decided to kick it “old skool” and join a kickball league. That might not have been the wisest decision I’ve ever made because the teams we’ve been playing are extremely serious (“BAГГCZARS” sport numbered shirts with their names on the back and the team “Snakes on a Kickball” actually pitched wicked, serpentine curve balls that caused me some serious knee pain last week). Now that the weather is cooperating, you’ll find me somewhere in the city leisurely dining al fresco for brunch on Sundays.

 

Life at Work

I’m just starting my fourth year here at ALSC which is unbelievable! It feels just like yesterday that I joined the great team we have here in the office. I try, as a manager, to maintain a jovial working environment. I’ve planned some themed birthday parties and most recently entered the ALSC staff in the ALA Battle of the Rock Bands as part of the spring staff event. There was some resistance at first, but in the end everyone came around and we really enjoyed ourselves! Our band name was the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad and we took 3^rd place with our rendition of the Saturday Night Live skit that spoofs the song “Don’t Fear the Reaper.” I’ve posted a couple of photos below so you can get a sense of how serious we were about our gig. (Diane sure can pull off a mean Christopher Walken aka Bruce Dickinson impersonation!).

 

Also, if you were to ever stop by ALA HQ and visit my office, you would observe beyond the piles of papers, that it is truly a menagerie of storybook puppets and plushees accented with bits of flair such as a magic 8 ball (to answer those hairy questions), yo-yos, and toys. I’ve put together a little video with my Pigeon puppet and the ALSC staff for your viewing enjoyment.

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You Dared to Ask

Favorite Children’s book (as a child):

Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls and I was fascinatingly intrigued with Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes. I read them both many a time. Also, Shel Silverstein’s Where the Sidewalk Ends. I still have my tattered old copy (sans book jacket) from the 70’s when I was a kid.

Favorite Children’s book (today):

This is by far the hardest question. I have enjoyed reading so many books at all age levels.

I will admit I am a sucker for a good story time book. When a new review copy comes in that catches my eye, I sometimes subject the staff to mandatory story time (must keep up my practical skills). Jenny’s so new she hasn’t sat through one yet, maybe I need to go take a look at our books…

What junk food is your downfall?

Swedish fish, chocolate and pizza, but not together. Oh, and wasabi peas and ying-yang nuts from Trader Joes. Now that I think about it, pretty much food in general.

Favorite vacation spot?

I suppose it depends on what kind of vacation I’m in the mood for. I love Europe and Asia for exploring historical places. I like beach vacations but I also like hiking in the Colorado Rockies and in the Upper Peninsula as well as white water rafting in West Virginia. I will say I do love to travel and one of my goals is to visit all of the continents in my lifetime. Italy, Morocco, and Egypt are on the short list for places to visit within the next five years.

TTFN!