It’s National Librarian Week; let’s check in with our librarian, Abby Hendrickson

Here is my interview with our librarian, Abby Hendrickson.

Why did you choose to become a librarian?

I was an English teacher for 15 years, but I always had a passion to be a school librarian. My initial love was children’s literature, so I always thought I’d be an elementary school librarian, but after teaching high school English, it seemed like a logical transition for me. In 2015, I went back to school for my school library degree. I was the librarian at Peet Junior High for five years before coming back to the high school. I love being a jack-of-all-trades, and being a librarian lets me do just that!

What is your favorite part of your job?

My favorite part of the job is that it is different EVERY DAY. I get to do so many things and help both students and staff with technology issues, finding books, and supporting the curriculum. It’s most rewarding, though, when students come back to tell me that they LOVED a book I recommended for them. I also love having my “regulars”…and forming relationships with students.

What are three books you recommend?

This is a hard one! It depends on who is asking and what they are looking for. I have been recommending Project Hail Mary a lot this year, which is a big hit. I ask several questions to determine what I think a student will enjoy. Helpful questions I ask are: What is your favorite movie? What genre do you prefer? What was the last book you remember enjoying? Do you want something funny or serious? Do you like first-person or third-person narrators? There’s a lot that goes into making the perfect book match!

How many total books are currently in our library?

She said we have over 8,000 books in the library.

What other resources (computers, tools, etc.) are available here?

The library is really two spaces. The physical space, and the “virtual” space. In the library itself, we have fiction and nonfiction books, ACT and SAT study guides, Chromebooks, chargers, study rooms, a color printer, a laminator, and comfortable spots to sit and read. The virtual space is where a lot of our reference resources can be found, like research databases, online newspapers, and magazines that the school subscribes to. I also support teachers by coming to the classroom for book talks, research support, etc. Happy National Librarian Week, April 19-25!

From Maya