Many of our patrons recognize Mason, because he has worked at EPL for ten years. He is a valuable staff member for many reasons, but I especially appreciate his attention to detail, his dependability, and the wonderful displays he curates for the library. It is fun when library staff all have different preferences and favorite genres, because that means we are better able to showcase our collection for our patrons.
Mason’s attention to detail also translates into him noticing and remembering things about people. He knows I am always watching the budget, so he came up with the idea to bring a cookie cake that said “Happy New Year” for me on the first day of the new fiscal year!
Thanks, Mason, for all you do every day.
- Jill Schardt, Director
In what part of the library do you work and what do you do?
I work at the circulation desk. We help the public, check books in, check books out; the most obvious parts of working at a library. And, of course, the infamous “other duties as required.”
What has changed the most since you started working here?
I’m typing this at the third “circulation desk” in four months. Also, most of the ceiling is gone. . .
What services offered at the library do you wish more people knew about?
We subscribe to a streaming service called Kanopy. It has a ton of documentaries and “classic” films. There are many hard to find movies on Kanopy.
What has kept you working at the library?
Every week I run into a question or situation where I say “I have no idea where to begin with this.” And every week I end up figuring it out.
If you could have coffee with any author, who would you choose?
Gary Snyder has lived the most interesting life. And he seems to be kind and approachable.
Do you have a book character role model?
No, most of the fiction I’ve enjoyed has been about terrible people.
What is your favorite book that you’ve read in the past year?
I re-read A Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold earlier this year. It’s still a favorite of mine.
What is the first book you remember reading?
On my own? Either Amelia Bedilia or “Danny and the Dinosaur.”