#9 Rising Star...

Who you are: Erica
What you do: Teen Services Librarian
Where you do it: Benicia, CA

LTC: What's your favorite picture book?

Erica: Currently, Don't the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems. (I just read it to a bunch of pre-schoolers and didn't realize how much FUN it would be!) But I've also always had a soft spot for The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein.

LTC: Most rewarding thing that's happened recently?

Erica: Working with my teen volunteers every week is a consistently rewarding experience--they are funny, smart, talkative, and distinctly different from one another. I'm pretty sure I learn more from them than they do from me.

LTC: Do you have any hobbies aside from reading?

Erica: Rollerblading, cooking, and sometimes writing.

LTC: What is one thing you wish more people knew about libraries and what they do?

Erica: If you need a book, a resource, or some kind of information, we will do everything in our power to track it down for you--and we will do it with a smile (usually). :-)

LTC: books or technology?

Erica: ? both. I am too reliant on my e-mail/Instant Messenger/blogs/electronic resources etc. to say books and only books. I believe both are part of the library now--we can't separate them, nor should we be afraid to work with both mediums together to ensure the best possible services for our patrons. But I will always love the look, feel, and smell of books and paper, no matter what I am able to download from the Internet or onto an iPod.

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There are so many ways people in the library field make a difference aren't there? ...I bet Erica's teens really look up to her!
--Amy