How Books Have Influenced My Life [INTERVIEW]

Books are my life. It seems like I’m either reading them, shelving them, reviewing them, checking them out to patrons, or chatting with authors and publishers about what is coming out next. I’ve spent most of my adulthood working at various libraries across the country, so I typically have a lot to say on the topic. And on rare occasions some folks decide I might make a good interview subject because of my voracious literary appetite! Two weeks ago, Adrienne R. Morton with the Friends of the Library came by to chat with me, and I thought I’d share that piece with you here. I hope you enjoy the interview and some of the pictures I’ve posed for during the past year!

Adrienne: What are you currently reading?

Heather: I am currently reading Steve Berry’s The 14th Colony, a fast-paced novel featuring Cotton Malone. He uses his military and cognitive skills against a former KGB operative who believes the Cold Was still exists. I really enjoy the novel’s numerous plot twists, which skillfully increases the suspense with each turn. For more than a year now, publishers have sent me advanced reader copies to be reviewed before the release date. This has introduced me to many authors that I was previously unfamiliar with and has broadened my scope, which ultimately allows me to recommend phenomenal reads to our patrons.

A: Where might we find you and/or what might we find you doing when you’re not working at the library?

H: My husband and I both love to cook, garden, take nature hikes and travel to interesting destinations. Many evenings my husband and I discuss what our dream home would look like, especially our kitchen and landscaping! Whether we attend fairs, concerts, plays, or other events around the city, we always share our experiences with our friends all around the globe via our blog at http://jathanandheather.com.

A: How have libraries and books transformed you or your life in some way?

H: I grew up in a large family and money was very tight. Buying a book was a luxury. Therefore, my parents took us to the library every Friday evening after dinner. The only stipulation my parents had for each of us was that we always had to select a non-fiction book from another country. I remember my mother saying, “This way, if you never have the opportunity to travel to another country or experience another culture, you can do so through a book.” And so I became an arm chair traveler at a young age and books have influenced my life on a grand scale ever since.

A: Speaking of transformations, how do you think libraries will adapt to the constant evolution of technology?

H: I believe libraries have already been adapting to new technology as soon as it is fiscally prudent to do so. As such, library personnel work hard to keep abreast of the constantly evolving tech market in order to provide services that are most valuable to our communities. We offer free software, one-on-one tutorials and webinars to educate the public how to best use tomorrow’s devices today, and these education services will only continue to grow in keeping with public demand. So whether patrons are a tech novice or a self-proclaimed techno geek, our goal is to always be able to teach them something new and useful every time they visit the library.