Meet a Member: Hannah Risley

Where do you work?
I work for the Duncan Branch of the Alexandria Library.

What is your current position?
I am a reference librarian.

When did you first know that you wanted to be a librarian?
In the throes of my thesis research during my senior years of college, the librarians became invaluable resources. What followed was months of sequestering myself in the library, diving through primary resources, and I was ecstatic. I loved spending my time researching, so I decided to go for my MLS. During my MLS, I worked a reference desk at a public library and never looked back.

What was your first library job?
I worked as a part-time Library Assistant at the reference desk of the Eagle Creek library in Lexington, Kentucky.

What is your favorite part of librarianship?
I love building community connections that lead to new adult programming. My branch is well known for its packed story times and plentiful children’s programing. I am trying to build an event calendar for adults that is just as full of opportunities to learn, explore, create, and connect. Building community connections and relationships has lead to more programing opportunities that I didn’t know were possible.

What is the funniest thing that has ever happened to you on the job?
I once told a kid that if he signed up for summer reading, I'd give him a free burrito. He excitedly signed up, and I gave him his coupon for a free burrito. He got very angry because I had promised him a burrito—not a coupon for a free burrito. His mom couldn't stop laughing. He thought I had fresh burritos in my desk, wrapped in foil and waiting to be handed out. He was around 8 years old.

If you could have anything in the universe installed in your office for your personal use, what would it be?
Software that correctly auto-populates my branch’s event calendar with details from my e-mail.

What is something your colleagues would be surprised to know about you?
People are often surprised to learn about my Batman tattoo and general obsession with DC comics.

Interview conducted by Gregg Grunow.
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