5 questions with Peterborough Public Library

A new 5 questions with interview is here! For this instalment, we had the pleasure of interviewing Jennifer Jones, Peterborough Public Library’s CEO.

The Peterborough Public Library is a medium-sized, two branch system serving a city population of over 84,000. Their collection includes books, ebooks, and audiobooks, as well as DVDs, CDs, board games, magazines, newspapers, and a small library of things. Their services include hosting book clubs and reading challenges, planning events that cover a wide range of the community’s interests, as well as creating programs for teens, adults, and families.

Read Jennifer’s answers to our questionnaire below.

1. Which myth about libraries or library staff do you most want to bust?
That we spend all day reading! While I do read a lot at work, it’s not for fun or leisure. Trust me, that budget report is not as fascinating as you might think it should be!

2. What compelled or inspired you to pursue library work?

It was a fluke. Or perhaps serendipity in hindsight? I applied to work as a summer student at the university library during my first year of undergrad. The job was organizing and cataloguing art exhibit brochures from a donation to the library. It sounded interesting to me (and it paid well!). It was such an incredible experience — I found something I liked doing and was good at. (I thought so, anyway!)

I flew through the original project with time to spare on the contract. The staff must have seen potential in me because I was given a few additional projects to work on that summer.

That was it, I was hooked.

I applied to keep the job during the school year and stayed on as student staff for the next four years. This experience led to several more years working full-time in Academic Libraries and getting my MLIS.

I had an unexpected opportunity present itself in 2011. I moved to a new province and shifted to working in Public Libraries. I found a new challenge and a renewed love for the profession. And I haven’t looked back.

3. What has been your favourite library event?

The library celebrated Harry Potter day in July 2017. The entire staff came together to create a unique day of fun and activities. We decorated the library, wore costumes, made wands, played games, and had an absolutely amazing time. It was a hugely successful event — both in attendance and from a staff morale perspective. 100% would do it again.

 4. What is the most pressing issue facing libraries today?

Keeping up. It’s hard to stay relevant. Technology is ever-changing and we’re often the first place folks come for help. The needs and wants of the community change, but they expect us to always be here at the centre of things. I think the financial expectations of everyone needing to make money have additional pressures for libraries who exist at their core as a free service.

5. What forthcoming book are you most excited about?

I can’t decide: Signe Pike’s The Lost Queen Trilogy #3 and Adalyn Grace’s All the Stars and Teeth series #3.

BONUS: Printer jams! What is the most surprising thing in your day to day that you spend more time on than you were prepared for?

Switching gears — not multitasking. It’s jumping from one conversation or meeting into another and having to be fully present each time in each conversation. Taking the time at the end of the day to catch up on all those meetings and convos to make sure I remember for the next time where things are at is tricky but so worth it.

Thank you Jennifer for taking the time to answer our questionnaire! Read more instalments of our 5 questions with series here.

Are you a library staffer, Canadian independent bookseller, or small publisher interested in being featured in our 5 questions with blog series? Get in touch!