Library Limelight is intended to be a quick read to help FCPL patrons get to know our librarians, staff, and volunteers. We hope you enjoy learning about the people who make our libraries great!
Name: Sara Baggett-Preston
Position: Youth Specialist
Location: Post Road Library
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| Sara at Touch-a-Truck last month. |
Where is your hometown?
I grew up near Carmel, Indiana, just north of Indianapolis in Hamilton County.
In July it will be three years.
What other jobs have you had?
My degrees are in Theatre and Photography, and I have an eclectic job history in the arts. I have acted in Shakespeare plays, built mascots and parade floats, designed scenery and window displays, waited tables, done picture framing, and taught both digital and black and white fine-art photography at the high school and college level.
Why did you choose to work in a library?
I was a regular patron at FCPL when my daughter was very young and I was caring for her full-time. I always enjoyed the programming for children that FCPL offered and thought it seemed like a fun job. Once she started school and there was an opening at Post Road I went for it!
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| Sara's daughter Katie years ago at a Post Road Library Storytime. Katie got her first Library card when she was 5-years-old! |
Describe your library job in five words or fewer.
I help kids love books!
What is unique about your job?
It’s never the same from day to day. Even though there’s a routine to it, the patrons, programming, display assignments, and of course the books keep it interesting. Also, the whole staff is collaborative, not competitive with each other.
What is your favorite part of your job?
I lead Books and Babies, so I get to have fun every week with our youngest patrons. It’s also a wonderful feeling to help kids find books they are looking for, and to spark their interest in new ones. I remember when I was hired my supervisor at the time said, “We can teach you to be a librarian, but we can’t show you how to adore children.”
What’s the most interesting place you’ve lived or traveled?
In 2009 I went on a service trip to a small school in rural Kenya outside of Nyeri. We presented a few programs to the kids, brought backpacks full of school supplies, and painted the common room for them. After ten days of work we visited Nairobi and took a short photo safari to Lake Nukuru and the Maasai Mara National Reserve. Driving across the country through the Great Rift Valley and across the equator was incredible.
What are your hobbies?
I love to go camping and hiking with my family, sing in a choir, and volunteer with our daughter’s Girl Scout troop.
What are you reading right now?
Caste by Isabel Wilkerson, The Birchbark House by Louise Erdrich, and my next read will be The Guncle by Steven Rowley (the current Novel Diversions book club pick). I try to have a non-fiction text and a work of youth literature going along with some fun fiction.
Paper books, eBooks, or audiobooks?
I love audiobooks! I listen to them while I cook and do other things around the house.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
I’m going to start pursuing my Master’s degree in Library and Information Science in the fall, our daughter Katie will be in fourth grade, and my three stepsons James, Charles, and Woody attend Kennesaw State University. The oldest is about to graduate! Here’s a picture of the kids—most of whom we refer to as “kidults.”
Editor's Note:
It is perhaps the greatest compliment when a loyal library patron becomes an employee! We are currently hiring a part-time Youth Specialist, as well as several other positions. Check out our employment page for more information.
1 comment:
Your family is beautiful
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