ALSC Member Profile — Meet Lynn Nguyen

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 a few questions, we try to keep the profiles fun while highlighting the variety of members in our organization. This month, we randomly selected a candidate who bravely agreed to participate. So, without further ado, welcome to our ALSC profile, ten questions (plus three) with ALSC member, Lynn Nguyen.

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

As a Parent Outreach Librarian/Children’s Librarian for the County of Los Angeles Public Library, I am responsible for creating programs for parents, babies, and toddlers at several County Library branches under the Family Place Libraries grant. I have been at my job for 6 months and I’m loving it!

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 have been an ALA member for three years as a student. I joined the Association for Library Services to Children (ALSC) because I knew that if I wanted to be a Children’s Librarian, I had to keep my competitive edge by staying up to date with the most relevant information… It worked! I learned about emerging technologies, the importance of programming using special marketing and outreach tools, as well as reference services to children. I also belong to the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), Library Leadership & Management Association (LLAMA), and Library Information Technology Association (LITA).

3.  What motivates you?

When you have parents in a low socio economic community tell you how grateful they are for your programs because you’re making a difference in their family’s life, that’s what motives me. I love being a parent outreach librarian because I get to work in diverse communities where programming not only benefits families but brings them together with their community resources!

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

As a Consular Affairs Intern for the US Embassy in Rome, Italy in 2011, I was afforded a unique opportunity where the rewards were helping people on an international level. I got to help create passports for American Citizens, provide outreach services to American Students studying abroad, and also work on special projects at the Information Resource Center (IRC).  The best part was being able to work with U.S. Ambassador, David Thorne. After I completed Internship, I went to library school in London, UK and St. Petersburg Russia to learn about International Librarianship. My ultimate career goal is to work as a Children’s Librarian overseas.

5.       What is your favorite word?

My favorite word is actually a contemporary shorthand “LOL”  <~ Laugh out loud!!! Life’s too short so I’m always “laughing out loud” and heavily encourage others to do so as well!!

6.      E-books or Print?

In today’s technologically driven world, we don’t have to make that choice.  So Both!!  E books are easy, but I get distracted with games when I get my hands on my Ipad. Books smell and feel amazing!! They’re just a bit heavy when I need to travel somewhere!  Having this choice means I never have to be without the opportunity to learn something new or drift off to worlds of imagination and creativity.

7.  Do you have a guilty pleasure TV show?

MAD MEN! I’m in love with the 1960’s time period, especially one that includes plenty of drama.

8.    Would you rather explore outer space or the ocean floor?

I’ve always been so fascinated with oceanic life. Therefore, I prefer Ocean Floor.  I also find something therapeutic and soothing about the ocean and we are still discovering the new things that exist in the aquatic spaces.

9.  Eating out or eating at home?

I am the biggest eating out person you will find!!!!!! But I also do love to cook. There’s this relationship I have with food… I must have the best and the most outrageous at any given moment. (Especially when I travel)  If you want a list of places in Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York City, Chicago, or even Rome, Italy, I can give it to you! J

 10.   Favorite part of being a Children’s Librarian?

Have you seen the smile on these kids faces as your singing songs out loud and acting like that clown at their birthday every week?? That’s my favorite part!  And it’s nice that the parents keep on bringing them back!!

 11.   Favorite Caldecott book?

The Lion and the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney. I interned at the Temple City Public Library under Joanna Ward during my last semester at UNT. She happened to be on the Caldecott Committee in 2010 and inspired me to create a 90 second Book Trailer which took a good 12 hours to make!

12.  Do you have any pets?

Four dogs, 1 cat, and counting!   My friends always tease me about my petting zoo, but it’s true…. I am a guilty Animal Lover!!

13.  Biking or Running?

I would love biking, but I can’t afford a nice bike, therefore I will run because I came with two legs and two feet when I was born. J On top of that, I enjoy running 5k’s around California. Most recently, The Color Run 2012 in San Diego to help fundraise money for Big Brothers Big Sisters Mission!

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Thanks, Lynn! What a fun continuation to our monthly profile feature! (Lynn can be reached at LNguyen@library.lacounty.gov.)

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.