{"id":14198,"date":"2021-01-25T15:41:26","date_gmt":"2021-01-25T21:41:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/letters-science\/?p=14198"},"modified":"2023-12-04T15:34:38","modified_gmt":"2023-12-04T21:34:38","slug":"check-out-this-english-majors-fantastic-library-job","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/letters-science\/in-focus-2021\/check-out-this-english-majors-fantastic-library-job\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cCheck out\u201d this English major\u2019s fantastic library job"},"content":{"rendered":"

When she grows up, Shannon Siebers wants to be a professional book hoarder.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what librarians are,\u201d she said with a laugh. \u201cWe\u2019re nerds. We love talking about books.\u201d<\/p>\n

Siebers has worn the \u201cnerd\u201d label proudly for years, starting when she was 5 years old. The granddaughter of a librarian\u2019s assistant, Siebers practically grew up in the stacks Germantown Public Library.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe library is my hometown. It\u2019s just around the corner from my house,\u201d she said. \u201cI definitely remember having a little library card with my 5-year-old handwriting on it. My kindergarten class would walk over there and check out books.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking back, she added, \u201cI don\u2019t know how the librarians dealt with us.\u201d<\/p>\n

When she turned 16 and began looking for a job, it was a no-brainer: Siebers wanted to work at the library. Her grandmother suggested volunteering to get her foot in the door, but the library had other plans: Siebers was called in for an interview and then offered a job as a page. She\u2019s worked there ever since.<\/p>\n

Now Siebers is a student at 51ÁÔÆæ and contemplating her own future as a librarian. Most students might opt for a major in information science or technology, given that most librarians are required to have a Masters in Library and Information Science<\/a>, but instead, Siebers is indulging her inner nerd. She\u2019s majoring in English<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was pretty clear that it doesn\u2019t matter what you did for your undergraduate. I asked my boss and she said that it made the most sense to do something with books,\u201d Siebers said. \u201cHaving a broad education about literature has been wonderful. I\u2019ve loved every single one of my English professors.\u201d<\/p>\n

She\u2019s a particular fan of The Picture of Dorian Gray and other classic literature, but her favorite book is \u201cwhatever I\u2019m reading right now,\u201d Siebers said.<\/p>\n

She has put that love of literature to good use as she\u2019s moved up the ranks in the library. As a page, Siebers was in charge of re-shelving books and helping at the circulation desk, but after three years, the director named Siebers a youth services intern, expanding her job duties with the library.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy job is basically event programming, and it gets weirder from there,\u201d Siebers said.<\/p>\n

She\u2019s talking about events like the day the library made a life-size Candyland board game and patrons played by moving around colored squares taped the floor. Then there was the haunted house that she helped coordinate with the library\u2019s teen advisory board (\u201cThey were pretty creepy. It was nice,\u201d she said), and the usual summer reading programs and events for families.<\/p>\n

These days, as the pandemic has forced patrons to stay at home, she and her colleagues are finding new ways to keep people engaged by making craft and recipe kits to distribute.<\/p>\n

While she\u2019s crafting and planning events, Siebers is also gaining valuable experience that will give her a leg up when it comes time for graduate school.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve learned so much about what libraries do and how they operate, from the inside out,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s so nice to have experience before getting my MLIS. Experience is the no. 1 requirement for a job in this field.\u201d<\/p>\n

She\u2019s not sure where she\u2019d like to attend graduate school \u2013 51ÁÔÆæ, UW-Madison, and the University of Illinois are all on her list \u2013 but wherever she ends up, Siebers will take her love of the library with her.<\/p>\n

\u201cI believe that information and education should be accessible to everybody,\u201d she said. \u201cLibraries are one of the only places that are accessible to everyone, no matter who you are, no matter what you look like, and no matter how much money you have.\u201d<\/p>\n

And when it\u2019s safe to gather in libraries again, Siebers has a request.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust say hi to the librarians. We\u2019re nerds. We\u2019ll talk to you about books.\u201d<\/p>\n

By Sarah Vickery<\/strong>, College of Letters & Science<\/small><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

When she grows up, Shannon Siebers wants to be a professional book hoarder.
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