This week, I'm introducing a new series to help you get to know your local children's librarians a little bit better!
I'm launching the series with a wonderfully warm and witty local librarian who I'm proud to call a friend: Barbara McKee, Children's Librarian at the Norwin Public Library. Miss Barb, as the kiddos like to call her, has been a part of the NPL for nearly 20 years. Read on as Miss Barb shares what she enjoys the most about her career--as well as the titles of some of her favorite children's books!
How long have you been at the NPL?
As of January 8, 2019--17 years! I began at the library in 2002, working a few hours a week at the Circulation desk when my youngest son was in elementary school.
Why did you decide to become a librarian?
I often joke that I wasn't looking for this job, but this job was looking for me! Prior to getting the job at NPL, I took a class at NPL on How To Crochet, which was, oddly enough, held in the Children's Library. One day, as I was leaving class, I saw a sign for part-time help. I applied and got the job. After that, I was working more and more hours and started doing a story time. The children's librarian at that time had decided to retire as we were getting ready to move the library from 299 Third Street in downtown Irwin to its current location on Caruthers Lane. I was excited to be able to move forward with the children's library in our beautiful new building, and decided to return to college online to pursue Library Science. It's a natural fit--I've always adored children and reading. I was a HUGE bookworm as a kid!
Tell us a little bit about your background, including your education.
I am a Norwin High School graduate, Class of 1985. I attended Indiana University of PA, studying English and Secondary Education. I left college to have my 2 sons (Dan, now 30 and Tim, now 25) and returned to school online in 2006 to finally obtain a Bachelor of Science in Library and Information Sciences from the University of Maine.
What is your favorite part of your job?
Just one?! OK. I love connecting kids with books. Seeing the excitement in their faces as I hand them a book they have asked for or waited for, or when I can figure out a book that will be ideal for that child. A close second would be interacting with so many families and becoming a part of their lives. I've had families come in, anxious to tell me a new baby is coming, or they are moving and will miss the library and me, and I have celebrated many a triumph in potty training with parents!
What are a few of your all-time favorite children's stories?
I am a huge fan of the late Amy Krouse Rosenthal. I had the pleasure of talking on the phone with her once, and she even sent me a small gift. I worked on a few projects with her and have a few signed books and even a framed CERTIFICATE OF AWESOMENESS from her in my office at home. She wrote DUCK! RABBIT! , LITTLE PEA and ALPHA'S BET, to name just a few. I just adored how her mind worked. My favorite book growing up was THE BIG TIDY UP by Norah Smaridge, about Jennifer's messy room (I have a tendency to be messy!) I adore the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling and the INKHEART trilogy by Cornelia Funke. Another thought-provoking series would be THE SHADOW CHILDREN by Margaret Peterson Haddix, I've even given that series to my mom to read!
What new(er) children's books are you most excited about?
I'm really enjoying the newer non-fiction books that take a topic or a person and put a face to it or explain a process in a fun format. Example: We have a book on the history of the Super Soaker and another on the background story of the donut! There's also a newer group of books that fall under the heading of bibliotherapy--taking a difficult topic and discussing it in a picture book format, such as divorce, death or bullying. Sometimes children need to talk about a subject, but struggle to do so. These books can help spark a conversation.
What would people be surprised to know about you?
I'm also a wedding officiant! I started officiating about 3 years ago. Oh, and I'm a newlywed, I met my husband online in April of 2014 and we were married this past October. We utilized a self-uniting marriage license and married ourselves. It's an old law still legal in PA, from the time of the Quakers. And in the summer, I drive a super-fast Camaro convertible!
What would people be surprised to learn about the library in general?
That we rarely SHUSH anymore! Libraries have evolved into community centers, welcoming not only children for story times and book selection, but adults for cookbook club, knitting classes, crafts or book clubs on a variety of topics. Everyone who works at NPL truly loves their job. It's a big family and we all help each other. It's a pleasure to come to work.
What are a few upcoming events you'd like to share with our readers?
We offer both a monthly kids book club (Page Turners) and a kids writing group (Young Pencils) and they are both geared to grades 3-5. We held an Escape Room over the holiday break and hope to offer more of those in 2019. Our annual chess tournament will be held March 9 and registration for that will begin in mid-February. It's for kids in grades 1-8. Our Summer reading program is entitled A UNIVERSE OF STORIES as the 50th anniversary of the Moon landing will occur this summer! Our program will begin in mid June, with more information available in May.
Thanks for the opportunity to share a few tidbits about my job and my life in the library. If you need book suggestions, please ask! (I can also offer book suggestions for adults, especially if you just want a good story!)
For more information about the Norwin Public Library, visit https://norwinpubliclibrary.net.
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