In Volume 17 we speak with Sierra Jones-Martel from North Grenville Public Library.

You can find them on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NGPLibrary

Word of the Week

Quarantine
Originally derived from the Latin quadraginta / forty in reference to Jesus’s 40 days in the desert. It was later adopted in Venice as quarantina giorni to denote the length of time which ships suspected of carrying the plague were kept in isolation. Elsewhere it was used to signify the 40 days that widows were allowed to stay in the home of their deceased husband. Now it simply refers to a period of forced isolation.

The Interview

What’s your role in the library?
My role is Service Delivery Manager, which is a fancy way of saying that I manage the front desk and anything in the library. So that includes circulation, supervising staff, develop procedures, troubleshooting, scheduling and collection maintenance just to name a few!

What’s great about your library?
I think the great thing about our library (and libraries in general) is the sense of community we have the moment you step inside. We are a central hub with many things for all who visit us. We’re so much more than just books! 🙂

Favourite book?
This is hands down the worst question you could ever ask of anyone who works in a library, it’s almost always impossible. However if I have to pick just one I would probably pick the one that has affected and influenced me most in my life which is “The Diary of a Young Girl” by Anne Frank.

Favourite magazine?
I don’t read magazines all that much but I do enjoy flipping through Canadian Living every once in a while.

If you could change one thing in the library world, what would it be?
That every person should at least step into a library once in their life and see what we have and what it is we do. So many people are stuck in the mind set that we are just about books. But we are so much more and if people understood that maybe we could also have more money to do even more things! 😀

How do you think libraries are going to change in the next decade?
While still staying true to who we are I believe we will just be adapting more to the changes in technology and staff will have to adapt as well so that we can better serve the needs of the communities and the people who might not necessarily have the means to keep up with the trends. Libraries are already always constantly changing and adapting so I don’t believe anyone will see a library going from one extreme to the other. The slow changes and adaptations will just become the new normal.

If you weren’t a librarian, what would you do?
I have always loved animals so I think I would love to work with them. Possibly working with rescues or humane societies, or possibly I could become a vet technician.

Which mythological creature would you like to exist?
Best question ever!!! Thestrals from Harry Potter, hands down. Actually does that count as mythological? Nevermind it doesn’t matter…I need them to be real, final answer.

Any questions for me?
What’s your favourite book?

Well, this is at least the third time I’ve had that question fired back at me! Luckily it’s impossible to run out of books… I’m currently working through a fantasy series called Malazan Book of the Fallen which is gradually becoming the best thing I’ve ever read. I say gradually because it’s an 11,000-page odyssey…

Many thanks Sierra for taking part in the series.

Are you a librarian? Would you like to participate? Get in touch with the team at institutions@exacteditions.com