Would you like to get to know the great staff at the Kearney Branch a little better? If you're nodding or still reading, then this blog's for you! Many of you know us pretty well already. We’ve worked here so long, or you’ve been coming in for so long that we feel like neighbors if not family. But our familiarity tends to stay within the context of books and reading. To broaden the perspective a bit, I conducted the following casual (and therefore possibly somewhat inaccurate) gathering of factoids about your Kearney branch staff. Enjoy!
Kearney Page Paul Pursell Rocks as Vocalist of Kaiju
Paul Pursell is a pretty quiet guy when he pages here at the Kearney Branch, but he shatters that mild-mannered library persona when he hits the stage as vocalist for the Kansas City-based tech metal band, Kaiju.
The band gets its name from the Japanese word for "giant monster," an homage to the members' love of Japanese monster flicks featuring the likes of Godzilla and Gamera.
Cory is a Page at the Excelsior Springs Branch. What is a Page you ask? Well, let’s ask Cory:
Me: Cory, in your own words, what does a Page do?
Cory: Well the main thing we do is we sort through all the returning books and put them in order to put back on the shelves. We also go through the branch and pick out books for the patrons that they have put on hold.
Me: So how long have you worked here?
Cory: I’ve been working here for 3 years now.
Me: Do you enjoy it?
Cory: Yes, I do. It’s actually the first job I’ve really liked.
We stood, lined up: two columns and three rows we were. Each had a cart. Black and sleek, the carts were shining in the midday heat under a clear May sky. There were only a few clouds hanging around to the West, as if lazily warning us of the day’s later rain storm to come. Our shirts were coordinated and our flag team was right behind us, keeping us in line, syncing their shouts to our cart-choreography.
Our fearless leader blew her whistle; it rang clear through that fresh May air. We were starting. Our mission had begun.
This month I interviewed Holly, who is a Substitute Library Clerk at the Excelsior Springs Branch. Let’s see what she has to say about working at the Library!
Me: Holly, tell me about your job at the Library.
Holly: I work at the desk and I fill in for storytime. I love my job because I like helping the kids find stuff.
Kenicia Coats is a full-time librarian assistant here at the Excelsior Springs Branch. In honor of her birthday month, I asked her for an interview!
Me: Kenicia, how long have you been working here?
Kenicia: 21 years!
Me: And you’re full-time?
Kenicia: Mhmm.
Me: What does that encompass?
Kenicia: 40 hours a week, and I deal with interlibrary loan materials, reference, and cataloging issues. I order items for teachers when they request them. I’m sort of a jack-of-all trades, I do a little bit of everything!
Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Chris. I am a Library Clerk at the Claycomo Branch of the Mid Continent Public Library system.
I have been employed at MCPL for five years. There are a couple of reasons why I like working at MCPL. First, as an avid reader, I get to be around one of the things I love…BOOKS! Secondly, I get to help our customers in a variety of ways: answering computer questions, placing holds for items customers want, and answering the ever popular question, "Do you have the book Fifty Shades of Grey”?
This month, I had the pleasure of interviewing Bob for the Employee of the Month for August. Bob is a fun guy to work with, and many people enjoy seeing him when they visit our branch. You’ll know him when you see him because he always has a smile on his face!
Me: Bob, what position do you hold at the Excelsior Springs Branch?
Bob: Librarian Assistant I.
Me: And what do you do?
Bob: What needs to be done! (He chuckles) I take care of the address changes and missing reports. And, I visit with all the patrons. (He smiles)
