By A. Faulkner
What is your role in the GLBTRT?
Member
What does the GLBTRT mean to you?
I enjoy reading posts about what is going on in the LGBTQI library community and learning about new publications. I also like to keep up with the developments around LGBT archives.
Are you involved in ALA in other ways?
I attended the annual conference in 2014 as marriage was granted federally. It was a very exciting conference as it coincided with Pride as well. I am mostly involved with local groups such as the Hawaii Library Association, but I use the listservs and round tables to answer questions that come up. This is very useful as someone new to the library field!
What professional work do you perform?
I am the technical service support specialist for the University of Hawaii, Manoa William S. Richardson School of Law Library. I also do genealogy and other kinds of research through my side hustle: East West Research- stormstoker.com
What would you like to share about your personal life?
I’ve been with my girlfriend for thirteen years and we still can’t wait to see each other at the end of each work day. We would like to be more stereotypical and own lots of cats but alas, I am allergic.
What are you most proud of?
Working my way up from extreme poverty to working class. It doesn’t sound that impressive but trust me, it was nearly impossible. I also got a book published (Once Upon a Zombie) but it only sold tens of copies.
Who inspires you?
J.K. Rowling. In addition to being someone who could easily pay off my student loans, she seems like she would be fun to hang out with. We could prank tweet Trump together.
What are your goals? (Professional and/or personal.)
I hope to become a tenured librarian or archivist and publish something important and widely read. I want to make enough money to not have to worry about money. I want to make a positive impact on my community and help others like myself, who have struggled to become educated, and continue to struggle with student loan debt after being educated. Despite the dire predictions for my generation, I hope to retire someday, own something, and travel extensively.
What do you think (or predict) is the future of libraries?
Technology will be integrated throughout; people will use their smart devices to interact with the materials. Libraries will still be cultural places where people can learn, study and socialize.
In what direction would you like the GLBTRT to move in the future?
I like what you are doing already – more of the same. Perhaps more focus on professional development and meet-ups at conferences.
If you could be transported into the fictional world of any book, where would you go?
Harry Potter, no question. Hogwarts Library – Forbidden section, of course.
What would be the title of your autobiography?
“26 Apples, 1 Avocado”
This is all about being different from everyone else and never quite fitting in. The first day of kindergarten we were all supposed to bring something that started with the letter “A”. Guess who brought the Avocado?
If you could only choose one song to play every time you entered a room for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Carmina Burana by Carl Orff (Also I would like to be on horseback and have lightening strikes and thunder and stuff in the background, as this is what is expected when meeting someone named Storm.)
If you could have a dinner party with 5 culturally or historically significant figures, living or dead, who would you invite?
J.K Rowling, Queen Liliuokalani, Queen Elizabeth, Ellen Degeneres & Barack Obama
What is the meaning of life?
Donut.
