By A. Faulkner
What is your role in the GLBTRT?
For the last few years my role with the GLBTRT was via email. I recently decided to get more involved and am thrilled to be on the Barbara Gittings Literature Award and Israel Fishman Non-Fiction Award Committees.
What does the GLBTRT mean to you?
I work in a rural library system in Northern California. As my career has advanced, my perception of the GLBTRT has evolved. First, it was a way to simply meet other GLBTRT librarians. Now that my professional world has evolved, I see the GLBTRT to be a vital component in navigating new leadership roles. Oftentimes I am the only queer librarian in a leadership position in my region. The GLBTRT helps fill that void and helps me utilize the queer perspective to offer the best possible service for the entire community I serve.
Are you involved in ALA in other ways?
I have been a member of YALSA for several years and was recently accepted into the Future Ready @ the Library Program. This innovative program is going to help rural libraries bridge the college and career grade school gap by partnering with all of the awesomeness in these rural communities.
What professional work do you perform?
Sometime I refer to myself as a library gypsy. As a rural librarian I do it all: reference, adult services, teen services, substitute children’s librarian and administrative work. That being said, my greatest satisfaction is working with grade school students and teens.
What would you like to share about your personal life?
I am a HUGE Stevie Nicks fan. So if you want to know more about my personal life listen to Stevie Nicks iconic 1982 album The Wild Heart and you will pretty much know everything that you need to about me.
What are you most proud of?
At the age of 34 I ditched a career in marketing/customer service and became a librarian. It was the best decision of my life.
Who inspires you?
Rural librarians inspire me every day.
What are your goals? (Professional and/or personal.)
Professionally: I would like the opportunity to work in a bigger library system with more resources and perhaps focus entirely on teen services.
Personally: Yoga is a big part of my life and eventually I would like to advance my practice to work with teens who have experienced trauma.
What do you think (or predict) is the future of libraries?
Reading (particularly printed materials) is linked to lower depression levels. Eventually, I see libraries becoming an integral part of the self-care movement. Additionally, makerspaces are kind of magical.
In what direction would you like the GLBTRT to move in the future?
I would like the GLBTRT to move in the direction of really cultivating relationships between new librarians and current leaders in the profession.
If you could be transported into the fictional world of any book, where would you go?
OK I am going non-fiction. I would give anything hang out in Joan Didion’s 1970’s era Southern California.
What would be the title of your autobiography?
Gypsy Librarian
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?
Edge of Seventeen by Stevie Nicks. My love of Stevie Nicks burns brighter than the sun!
If you could have a dinner party with 5 culturally or historically significant figures, living or dead, who would you invite?
- Stevie Nicks
- Joan Didion
- Rupaul
- Beverly Cleary
- Nancy Pearl
What is the meaning of life?
Embrace failure because that is where the true learning comes from.
