Over the last eighteen years I’ve worked in circulation in a variety of libraries. My first library position was as a full-time shelver at the Mugar Library at Boston University. It’s hard to imagine a more monotonous position, but I adapted to the tedium and found myself intrigued with the vast collection housed in the eight story library. Since then I’ve worked in the Oakland Public Libraries (CA), the Academy of Art Library (San Francisco), Tigard Public Library, and PCC, on-call primarily at the Cascade campus.

What I like about circulation work has to do with the constant contact with people, who are occasionally challenging, but on the whole very appreciative.
I like being part of a system that is in the business of sharing resources, and I like helping people learn how to access these resources, or at least know they exist.

Diversity is built in to the experience of the PCC Libraries, not only in the sense of cultural diversity, but in the range of interests and aspirations that patrons bring with them. I’m happy in my role in circulation when I see that patrons are obviously benefitting from their library. Sometimes the library seems like a sanctuary, a place where stuff is free (including the intellect) and no one is trying to sell anything.