Meet A Member: Rosanne North-Jack

Young Adult Librarian
Bull Run Regional Library, Prince William County Public Library System, Manassas, VA

When did you first know that you wanted to be a librarian?
One day in the 5th grade my teacher handed out some pamphlets describing various jobs we could pursue when we grew up, just to give us ideas. The librarian in the pamphlet I read looked so happy reading to kids and helping everyone find books that I was immediately drawn to it. Then it got pushed to the back of my brain and I didn't revisit it again until my senior year of college when I was taking a course called "What can you do with a BA in English?". Part of our final grade was to research a career where we could apply our degree so I started looking into how to become a librarian, requesting informational interviews with several public librarians in the area.

What was your first library job?
I worked as a Graduate Student Assistant for a team of Humanities Librarians at the University of Maryland, College Park. I worked in the main library on campus, McKeldin Library, doing odd projects like sorting through donated materials, filling out acquisition forms, and helping teach incoming freshmen how to use the library catalog and databases for research.

What is your favorite part of librarianship?
Working for a library that allows me to be an integral part of my community by living and working in the same county. I love doing programs that lets libraries partner with a business or non-profit because then we're both benefiting from the experience and showing that the libraries of today aren't just static people sitting at a desk or books on a shelf. I did a program last summer where kids made dog toys to donate to a local animal shelter. This past summer my supervisor and I partnered with a local trampoline park to host our Teen Summer Reading Kickoff so 25 teens could jump for free, something that would normally cost them. I also love developing partnerships with the wonderful school librarians in our surrounding middle and high schools and bringing public library services to teens who otherwise may never visit a public library.

What is the funniest thing that has ever happened to you on the job?
I was in the middle of doing a preschool story-time when all of a sudden the power went off! Luckily we were in a big room so we had some light coming in from the huge bay windows. The kids looked a little worried and I thought, either the power will come back on or someone will come in and tell us what to do, so I said, "It's all right kids. Don't panic! We can read in the dark!"

If you could have anything in the universe installed in your office for your personal use, what would it be?
I would love a replica of Hermione Granger's Time Turner so I can have more time to do everything!

What is something your colleagues would be surprised to know about you?
I have a huge passion for anime and cosplay. I was the vice president of my college's Anime Club for a term and have a knack for putting together closet cosplays at any given opportunity (especially at work for teen programs)! I've been attending local anime conventions since 2005 and love taking pictures of everyone's creative efforts! I can't even sew on a button!

Interview conducted by Gregg Grunow. Want to be featured on Meet A Member?
E-mail Gregg at [email protected].
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