How long have you worked for the Lincoln City Libraries, and at what locations?

31 years--in Youth Services, Technical Process, Outreach, Reference/Periodicals, Circulation, South Branch and now in Administration

Would you care to share any personal info with our readers -- such as where you grew up, what you read as a child, etc.?

I attended school in Kearney, York, and Aurora, Nebraska. As a child, I liked to read series, and read every Nancy Drew and Happy Hollisters book. I was very fortunate to have many teachers from elementary through high school who were passionate about reading, and who took the time and energy to share that.

How long have you been an active reader, and were there any particular books or authors or other people that "made you a reader"? Has there been any book or author that "changed your life" or strongly influenced you?

I've always enjoyed reading. I learned to read from some old school readers that my Aunt Virginia had given to our family; I paid attention to my older sisters and brother when they read.

How important are books and reading to you?

Reading's very important to me, and I spend a lot of time reading. I especially enjoy conversations about reading.

How do you select what books to read next?

I make an annual project of the books from the American Library Association Notable Books list. For several months each year, I'm reading those. When I'm not involved in that, I choose books based on what a variety of friends have recommended. I especially enjoy memoirs, so I watch for those.

What do you enjoy about writing book recommendations?

I like the challenge of distilling a book into a one-sentence summary. I think that other readers appreciate a frank opinion in addition to that. It's important for librarians to think outside of their own boxes to consider which readers would enjoy a book, regardless of our own opinions and experience.

Are there any interesting book- or reading-related stories or bits of trivia in your past that you’d like to share with our readers?

In Colorado Springs in the summer of 2009, my sister and I reconnected with Mrs. Barrilleaux, who had been our fourth grade teacher at Willard Elementary School in York, Nebraska in the late 1960s. I often refer to Mrs. Barilleaux' passion for reading aloud as a lovely example for all adults to role model for young people. My sister and I still remember Mrs. Barilleaux's reading-aloud performances of Brighty of the Grand Canyon and Nancy and Plum. It was great to re-connect, and have an opportunity to tell her what a difference she made to us.

and finally...

If there was only one author you could convince people to read, that author would be:

I adore Alice Munro's short stories, but I'm pretty sure she isn't everyone's cup of tea.

Posted to the BookGuide site in January 2010