ALSC Member of the Month – Marie Aspinwall (Miss Marie)

Each month, we work to profile an ALSC member, and learn a little about their professional life as well as 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, Marie Aspinwall.

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

I’m a storyteller, a coder, a dancer, a maker, a singer which combines to create a Children’s Librarian, which I’ve been for the past five years at the New Canaan Library in New Canaan, CT.

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

I joined ALSC six years ago when I started my Masters in Library School. I thought it was a great way to start building connections and meeting people in the profession, as well as being informed about new library trends.

3. Is there a story behind being known best as “Miss Marie?”

So, it all started out because I didn’t want to be called Miss Aspinwall (it  felt old) but Marie sounded a bit informal so I decided it would be Miss Marie (which was already part of my twitter handle). I spread the word around (mostly by talking in third person to my small friends) and soon my co-workers, parents, small friends and tall friends were all referring to me as Miss Marie.

4. Is there a book which you love to read over and over again? What is it?

The Giver by Lois Lowry. (I could read it every month and still find new and interesting things about it.)

5. What is the first thing you do every morning?

NERD ALERT: I check my email to see if any of my fan fiction authors have posted a new chapter.

6. What do you remember most fondly about being a pre-teen?

Reading, when I was supposed to be paying attention in class! I was obsessed with Princess Diaries and Series of Unfortunate Events and would read them in class, sneaking the book between my lap and the desk.

7. Who is the last person you said “Thank You” to?

My dad who had to come help jump start my car this morning when it wouldn’t start.

8. What would you do if a troop of monkeys was roaming around your library?

Probably corral them with bananas and then read them The boy who loved bananas by George Elliott (which is a personal storytime favorite) then have a monkey dance party (hopefully leaving the poop throwing to a minimum).

9. What is the best compliment you ever received?

This sign was given to me by a class of 5 year olds who had come for a library tour and storytime! (We now proudly display it in the front of our desk!)

10. What’s your favorite season? Why?

I would have to say the third season of Gilmore Girls because I’m a sucker for the Jess/Rory storyline.

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Thanks, Miss Marie! What a great continuation to our monthly member 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!