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 (plus one because she had so many good answers!) with ALSC member, Dianna Burt.
1. What do you do, and how long have you been doing it?
I am the Assistant Branch Manager and Children’s Librarian at the Hessen Cassel Branch of the Allen County Public Library. I have served in my current position for 14 years, and 17 total years at ACPL.
2. Why did you join ALSC? Do you belong to any other ALA divisions or roundtables?
I joined ALSC because of its commitment to excellent library service to children. At conferences, in its literature there is always quality ideas for programming, and best practices for a variety of specialties. Whether you need more info about blogging, or serving toddlers, any aspect of Children’s Services, ALSC brings the best to the table. I also belong to PLA.
3. What motivates you?
I am a fun-loving person, and justice is big to me, also. Take my job; working in a public library is never dull. But many of my interests happen because I believe in a great life for all, especially children. Kids are so fun, I can’t imagine not working with them.
4. Are you looking forward to the Winter Olympics?
I’m not an athletic person, but I do LOVE to watch the ice skating. That fascinates me, and I did have my hair cut in a Dorothy Hamill hairdo, a long time ago.
5. If you could serve on any ALA or ALSC committee, which one would it be? Why?
The Caldecott Award because I love picture books. Picture books are just an amazing form of art and story.
6. If budget was not a concern, what program would you like to offer at your Library?
I would love to offer free Preschool that would require parents to take classes, to learn how to read with their children, and how to make their child’s life full of joy, love, and curiosity.
7. What do you think children’s librarians will be doing ten years from now?
We will be the forefront of children’s education. The state education departments will look to Children’s Librarians for best practices, suggestions on readings, and how to use and implement the latest technology. I see small groups of students gathering in different areas lead by a teacher or two and a librarian. Most education will be on a smaller scale and even more specialized. Bigger groups will come together for different reasons but the majority of time will be spent communicating from home and in small groups, like a library meeting room.
8. Do you use Pinterest?
Yes! Right now I’m gathering lots of Science info for next year’s Summer Reading Program, because my library is a free lunch site and I want to guide and direct all the kids we’ll be seeing. I’m so excited about all the great stuff you can find so easy on Pinterest.
9. You’ve just been transported to Oz. Who do you most want to meet?
The horse of a different color.
10. What do you love about your work?
Making that connection with the kids and parents or teachers. Helping them find the book they are looking for or introduce something new. I love that when so many kids come into my branch and know me because I’ve been to their school and told stories. When a student comes up and asks if I remember them and then we laugh about that last story I read aloud and both laugh. It’s priceless — making those connections.
11. Why did you go into Children’s Librarianship?
I didn’t know I wanted to be a librarian. I went to college to be a teacher, but couldn’t get a teaching job at the time. So I started looking around. There was an asst. librarian job in my hometown and started there. I loved making displays, I worked with the two-year olds storytime and loved it. I started learning more stories, got a job in Fort Wayne at the ACPL, and that’s all she wrote. I did teach for a couple of years, but came back to libraries and went for my MLS. Now I can’t imagine a better job in the world.
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Thanks, Dianna! What a fun continuation to our monthly profile feature! Check out Dianna’s posts on her library’s Children’s Blog at http://acplkid.wordpress.com/ and on her Picture Book Blog at http://picturebookpalooza.
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.