ALSC Member Profile – Meet Paige Bentley-Flannery

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, Paige Bentley-Flannery.

1.     What do you do, and how long have you been doing it?

For the last eight years I have been a Children’s/Community Librarian at Deschutes Public Library in Oregon.  Some of my favorite activities include Baby Steps story time, outreach into schools and creative new programs in and out of the library.   Overall, I have been a librarian for 12 years.

2.     How long have you been an ALA member?

I have been an ALA member for 12 years.

3.     Why did you join ALSC? 

I joined ALSC to connect with other librarians, to be inspired, to expand my knowledge and to share ideas.

4.     Do you belong to any other ALA divisions or roundtables?

I was a member of YALSA when I was a Young Adult Librarian at New York Public Library.  I also participated in roundtables and look forward to being involved again.

5.     What are you proudest of having accomplished in your professional career?

As “Poetry Paige,” I have not only presented to over 10,000 kids, but also to hundreds of teachers, public librarians and school librarians.  Through interactive presentations in schools and conferences, I have shared the excitement of poetry, “Meet Art” and biographies. This has allowed me to travel from Alaska to Montana. So much fun! Also, an overall connection with children, parents, teachers and others at the Deschutes Public Library makes me smile every day.

6.     What is your favorite word?

Fun is my favorite word.  I use fun every day as a Children’s Librarian; clapping in excitement, during story time or when I’m describing a program at the library.  Fun!

7.     E-books or Print?

Print with a side of E-books.

8.  What children’s book character did you most identify with growing up?

The character I most identified with growing up is Beezus from the Beverly Clearly series.

9.  What’s your favorite color?

My favorite color is Sky Blue.   I love following the sky and the clouds.

10.  Are you excited about the direction of the digital world in libraries?  And how are you involved? 

I am very excited about this! Although, I will always love books and continue to share new books with everyone! But when a patron at the library, a teacher, or another librarian is already using an iPad or another digital reader I love sharing my favorites.  My new passion is children’s book apps! I cannot stop!  I have been focusing on using children and teen book apps in the classroom and for programs in and out of the library.  It is amazing how many schools now have iPads.  I love combining books with the digital world of books and children’s apps.  Soon our library website will include a section on digital links and a highlighted app.  I cannot wait!

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Thanks, Paige! What a fun continuation to our monthly profile feature! (Paige can be reached at paigeb@dpls.lib.or)

Do you know someone who would be a good candidate for our monthly ALSC 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.