In honor of the upcoming Valentine’s Day holiday, we decided to take the opportunity to do ‘mini-interviews’ with AACPL staff to find out what they love most about our library system – and libraries in general. We got a treasure trove of thoughtful responses!
Broadneck Library
- “I love that way a customer's eyes light up when we are able to help them - whether it's by putting the right book into their hands, helping them figure out their computer needs, or showing them all of the amazing resources that we have.” (Jennifer, Broadneck Library)
Brooklyn Park Library
- “I love how we build connections and find ways to celebrate our communities - and how bright and colorful libraries are!” (Kt, Brooklyn Park Library)
- “I love the awesome people I get to work with. In every branch I've worked in, the staff have been truly exceptional in taking care of each other and our customers.” (Brian, Brooklyn Park Library)
- “I have always felt that the library was the heart of the community. We have so many different ways to help our customers. I am glad to be a part of a system that cares about people!” (Leslie, Brooklyn Park Library)
- “I love it here because every single job and volunteer experience I've ever had in the past finds its way into helping me put out quality work AND every day, it never fails that someone comes in and makes my heart sing.” (Betsy, Brooklyn Park Library)
Busch Annapolis Library
- “I love the fact that no matter what you're curious about, you can scratch your curiosity itch at the library!” (Alice, Busch Annapolis Library)
Crofton Library
- “I love seeing children excited about learning! Their smiling faces as they hand me 5-6 books on science to check out bring me joy.” (Catherine R., Crofton Library)
Deale Library
- “I love how happy people are when I tell them they can print 10 pages for free per day! I love the looks on patrons’ faces when we tell them they can check out 99 items. They are so amazed! I love seeing the relieved faces as we hand people masks and test kits. They are so appreciative! There are just so many things I love.” (Maureen, Deale Library)
Discoveries: the Library at the Mall
- “I love the passion of the staff -- everyone cares so much about our customers and is dedicated to developing programs/services that best serve our communities. It’s been a hard few years, but no matter what has been thrown our way, the staff has persevered and done the best for our county, and each other. I also love that libraries are for everyone and that we are consistently working toward making that visible to our communities through programs, the collection, and how we carry out everyday library service.” (Rachel, Discoveries: The Library at the Mall)
Eastport-Annapolis Neck Library
- “I like working at the library because whether you've gone into IT, business, humanities, math, or homemaking, you'll find a way to use your skills and knowledge to serve the community. Which means I get to interact with staff from a variety of backgrounds -- I'm always learning something new. The library has frequently served as a safe space for me, whether I'm locked out of my house and need a place to go or if I'm attending a program about a topic I haven't explored before. As a parent, I've checked out parenting books that would have cost me a fortune to buy, used the EBSCO databases to search parenting tips, taken my kid to storytime and used the Discovery Dock, and often just visited to have an educational and enjoyable place to take him that wasn't the four walls of our home or a television screen. I have lots of anecdotes about the library, but the one I'll share here is that as a kid, I attended a library program where Magpie performed their song Habitat, and just a few months ago I was able to play that song during a STEM program I led about habitats, because I remembered that experience from so long ago. That's the ripple effect of the library!” (Sarah, Eastport-Annapolis Neck Library)
Edgewater Library
- “I love the genuine support that I receive from all of my colleagues as I continue to navigate my learning journey as a new staff member.” (Barbara, Edgewater Library)
- “I love my coworkers and my manager. I feel so fortunate to be a part of this organization and work with people who are passionate, supportive, and understanding. People make the library a great place to be, and we have THE BEST people!” (Ashley, Edgewater Library)
- “I love that we have the freedom and resources to provide so many different programs and services. It helps us meet the needs of our communities, and that creativity to try new things makes the job SO MUCH FUN! I have the best colleagues and best customers in the world; every day I'm grateful to have such an amazing job.” (Morgan B., Edgewater Library)
Glen Burnie Library
- “I love that in the same session on the desk I can work with a new computer user paying bills online for the first time, research ILL [interlibrary loan] books about Civil War hospitals, recommend books for reluctant readers, and use my rusty-but-improving college Spanish to explain how to use the MFDs [multifunctional devices to copy/scan/print/fax]. I love how we can mean a lot of things to so many people and our commitment to improving our ability to serve ALL communities.” (Ruth, Glen Burnie Library)
- “So many people are stressed - for many different reasons and especially with the pandemic. I love that we help reduce stress - with excellent customer service, computer access, MFD services (faxing, scanning, copying), a quiet place to study, or a good book to read. The way our staff "checks in" with people by saying "we'll figure this out together", "we're happy to help" and "did you get everything you needed today?" is so welcoming and supportive! It feels like we are right by their side as they navigate life's challenges.” (Lisa, Glen Burnie Library)
Linthicum Library
- “Libraries are a great place to experiment. Grab a bag full of books and movies to be someone else for a while or travel the world or the universe. Visit a program to try new crafts and meet new people. In one of our amazing trainings, I learned the acronym F.A.I.L.- First Attempt in Learning. It's become my mantra. I love being able to give our community that safe place to F.A.I.L. splendidly.” (Katrina, Linthicum Library)
- “I love that here in Linthicum, we are part of the neighborhood. So many of our families walk to the library; when the children get older, they walk to the library by themselves. It's a rite of passage. We meet them as preschoolers in storytime and watch them grow up. Some of our staff are now doing storytime for the next generation. We are as much a part of their lives as their other neighbors.” (Mary, Linthicum Library)
Maryland City at Russett Library
- “I can't pick just one thing, so I'll pick a fun one -- new book smell and old book smell.” (Julie, Maryland City at Russett)
- “I love that the library is a welcoming community center that caters to all ages and stages of life.” (Lynette D., Maryland City at Russett Library)
Mountain Road Library
- “We love that the library is a welcoming space for our LGBTQIA+ teens. We love the relationships we have fostered with our community and our fun, hardworking staff.” (The Staff at Mountain Road Library)
Odenton Library
- “I love the sense of community, in fair times and challenging times, that the library inspires. As dark as the last two years of pandemic life have been at times. there have been so many moments of hope and joy -- the happiness expressed by a customer who can finally browse the stacks after feeling isolated, children delighted to see other kids at storytime, families we haven't seen in a while showing up at community outreach events then yelling out your name and waving. Those moments are what sustain us as library staff and members of the community.” (Sharon, Odenton Library)
Riviera Beach Library
- “I love storytime. Nothing beats an enthusiastic preschooler shouting "read it AGAIN!" or a baby cooing with delight at a fluffy penguin puppet on my lap. I love that patrons know they can ask for help and receive non-judgmental guidance when they're unsure about ever-evolving technology. I love the feeling when I find the book a patron is looking for - it is especially satisfying when they only provide puzzle pieces and I get to dive into an investigation. It is so satisfying to locate the book and see the joy and/or relief in the patron's eyes! It is a joy to bring fun and useful resources to the community, and it is always a pleasure to spend my workdays with brilliant coworkers who teach me something new and make me laugh every single day.” (Stephanie, Riviera Beach Library)
Severn Library
- “I love working at a place where we are so focused on what we can do for others, and not what we can get for ourselves. I love that we want everyone to feel welcome and that we've worked so hard to lower barriers and minimize gatekeeping, to make it clear that the library is for everybody and nobody has to prove they need or deserve access, like they do for so many other social safety net services. I also love being able to see how we make people's lives and days better every day, on their faces and in their words as they leave the building having gotten the help that they needed way more easily than they expected! The look on customers' faces every time they ask what they have to give me to get masks or sit in the building or print something or connect to our wi-fi and I get to tell them 'nothing at all' is still gratifying every time.” (Sara, Severn Library)
- “I love that public libraries are a comfort to all who enter - stepping into a library can bring a sense of joy, relief, curiosity, camaraderie, answers, possibilities.” (Ashley, Severn Library)
Severna Park Library
- “I love the fact that we are building community, not only with our programs, but also through our transactions with customers. They trust us with our suggestions, recommendations, and readers' advisory skills, and I absolutely love to hear back from them about how they like (or maybe didn't?) like our suggestions. That level of trust of so valuable.” (Andy, Severna Park Library)
Library Headquarters (Administrative Offices)
- “I love the many ways AACPL supports our communities' goals - from food and baby pantries (like the new one with DSS [Department of Social Services] at Brooklyn Park and of course at Discoveries: the Library at the Mall), resource fairs, and hotspots to even ukuleles and fishing poles! The Human Library at Busch Annapolis Library is also coming soon, and I can't wait!” (Becky, Programming & Outreach)
- “The dedication and caring of the branch staff. Everyone cares so much about helping people.” (Connie, Virtual Services)
- “I love the welcoming atmosphere and the energy that is in the building when everyone is there doing their thing. I also love how our staff is so committed to our customers and community. I love that we offer services for all ages, from babies to seniors and everything in between” (Catherine, Public Services)
- “I love the sense of community, both internally with staff and externally with our customers. Libraries are places where everyone can achieve their full potential together.” (Steve, Summer at Your Library Programming)
- “I LOVE libraries because they are magical! Libraries are community. Libraries are free. Libraries are endless knowledge. Libraries are full of fun, kind, and intelligent staff! Libraries are sanctuaries. Libraries are home!” (Marcy, STEM Programming)
- “I will never ever get tired of telling someone about one of the great things we do/services we provide/resources available and have them ask 'how much does this cost?' Quality people, doing heart work, in a space that all are truly welcome to come as often as they would like and stay for as long as they want all for the price of FREE! There is no place on earth like a library.” (Michelle, Programming & Outreach)
- “What I like the most is the impact we have in our community. We care about people, and we are committed to help and support in many different ways. We not only help customers with all the services and resources we offer, but sometimes a simple smile or kind words can make someone’s day. And no matter who you are or where you come from, everyone is welcome! We all are community heroes!” (Eva, Bilingual Programming & Outreach)