ALSC Member of the Month — Katie Clausen

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. So, without further ado, welcome to our ALSC profile, ten questions with ALSC member, Katie Clausen.

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

I am currently doing a bunch of things, which keeps life busy and interesting! I am in my second year of library school at Dominican University in River Forest, IL, where I focus on Youth Services. At Dominican, I work in the Butler Children’s Literature Center.

I also work as a children’s services assistant at Oak Park Public Library with the most talented group of librarians I’ve ever met. My responsibilities at OPPL include doing baby and mixed age storytimes, reference and readers’ advisory services, creating bibliographies, helping with programming, and even some collection development!

This September, I started an internship at ALSC, where I do everything from filing records to managing book & media award submissions. One of my favorite parts of the job is opening packages fresh from the press and seeing everything that’s new!

I’m new to the library field, but fell in love with children’s literature right after college. I went out to Boston and studied children’s lit and writing at Simmons College, and eventually found my path after working at a library in Wisconsin.

I also just started my own blog called House at Katie Corner! Its focus will be all things children’s literature–please check it out!

2.         Why did you join ALSC? Do you belong to any other ALA divisions or roundtables?

I love children’s books and I love people, and ALSC is right where these two fabulous things intersect. I joined ALSC to meet others who have similar passions, and to learn from those who have worked in the field for years. The older I get and the more I read, the more I realize how much I DON’T KNOW, so I’m honored to be part of an organization with so many talented professionals. I wanted to intern specifically at ALSC because they have given me so much–I received a Melcher scholarship in 2012 (Thank you, ALSC!) and just started a wonderful mentorship with Abby Johnson through ALSC’s new mentorship program. Essentially, I just want to give back all of the gifts I’ve been given.

3.         Who was your favorite teacher? Why?

I love this question, but I can’t narrow it down to 1 person, so I’ll just say one sentence about several teachers.

·        Mrs. Heisler (1^st grade), for teaching me how to spell Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.

·        My parents, for teaching me that life is a journey that they will always travel with me.

·        My brother and sister, who inspire me as artists and compassionate souls.

·        Anita Silvey, who opened up my world to children’s literature.

·        Anna Staniszewski, who taught me that writing requires hard work, dedication, patience, and so many rewrites!

·        Thom Barthelmess, who continues to teach me that success is the presence of excellence, not the absence of mistakes, and that ambiguity is so much more colorful than perfection.

·        My dogs, Scout and Jem, who teach me to relax and enjoy naps, walks, peanut butter, and love.

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

Honestly, I am most proud of FINDING my career! It’s been a struggle searching for what I truly want to do, and I’ve been so many things along the way: a server, cashier, editor, actor, teacher, dog washer… A few years ago, I was lost about what direction to go. It is so rewarding to go to my job every day and finally feel at home in my heart.

5.         Do you celebrate any Fall holidays?

We wouldn’t call Christmas a Fall holiday in Minnesota (brrr), but it’s close enough. My favorite family tradition is right after dinner on Christmas Eve. I have an older brother and a younger sister, and every year we dress up as Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus and parade through our living room as my dad reads the manger story. This used to be super simple when my sister Rachel was a baby, but now she’s 23 and about 3 inches taller than me, but she still plays baby Jesus…and so I carry her on my shoulders! We add strange new things to the scene every year (vacuums, MN Twins blow up bats, bananas, and our dogs as Wisemen) for no reason, and we always end up laughing like crazy.

6.         What’s your favorite color?

Pink. It just rules.

7.         What are you afraid of?

Heights! Which is so crazy, because I’m currently taking classes in aerial silks where I climb 40 feet in the air and do tricks, flips, and drops. You have to face your fears, right?!

8.         Favorite Newbery book?

Because of Winn-Dixie, by Kate DiCamillo. India Opal and I are kindred spirits. That was the first book I finished and wished I had written it myself. It’s just so incredibly lovely.

9.         Favorite app?

Toca Hair Salon. I could try to describe it, but nothing would do it justice. It’s just THAT AWESOME. Download it NOW!

10.     How do you like to celebrate your birthday?

November is my birthday month, and this year it’s on Thanksgiving! I love this because it means I get to spend the whole day with my family. I don’t like pie very much, so it also means I usually get CAKE instead (YUM!) I always like hearing about the actual day I was born, too. I ask my Mom about the weather that day, how she was feeling, how it felt to find out I was a girl and hold me for the first time. Everyone should take time to celebrate who they are. REMEMBER: YOU MATTER.

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Thanks, Katie! What a fun continuation to our monthly profile feature!

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.