*Librarian/Media Center Specialist*
By: Morgan Blechschmid and Chloe Rojak
April 21, 2022
Chosen for this week’s Staff Spotlight is Mrs. Wendy Smith! Mrs. Smith is the Librarian/Media Center Specialist in the Brooklyn City School District. She spends a lot of her time working with students, whether it is reading to them, teaching them, or assisting them with checking out books. When Mrs. Smith is not in the library, she can most-likely be found outdoors or spending time with her family.
Q: If you did not work in the BCSD, which occupation would you choose and why?
A: “If I did not work as a school librarian, I would have always wanted to be a travel writer. I love exploring new places and writing about my experiences. Once I am retired, I want to be a camp host at campgrounds in National Parks and have my own little library on the back of my bike that campers can select books from. It would be like the female librarians in the 1930s who rode horseback from town-to-town with their little libraries on their horses. Or, I will teach kayaking lessons somewhere because it is my other passion.”
Q: What is the most stressful part about running the media center for the whole district?
A: “The most stressful part is making sure I am staying on top of the literacy trends and that I provide books that accommodate every grade level and subject area. I always have a stack of books next to my bed that I need to read.”
Q: What is the best aspect of running the media center for the whole district?
A: “The best part is that I literally get to see students grow up from kindergarten to a senior in high school.”
Q: How old were you when you realized your love for books?
A: “I started devouring books after I read my first book by myself, which was Charlotte’s Web. I knew then that I could escape in a world of books, and it was intoxicating. I make sure I always have books in my car or in my bag in case I have any down time to read.”
Q: What is your favorite genre to read?
A: “As an adult, I love historical fiction. I have always loved history, and I like experiencing it through different characters’ perspectives. As a child and teenager, I only read realistic fiction. If I couldn’t imagine the story happening to myself or my friends, I wouldn’t read it.”
Q: Are you an indoors or outdoors type of person?
A: “I am definitely an outdoors type of person. I would rather be in the woods exploring or on the beach.”
Q: Do you have any special plans for summer break?
A: My family and I are going on a two-week road trip to several National Parks: Rocky Mountain National Park, Arches National Park, The Grand Canyon, and Zion National Park. We are going to be roughing it, camping in tents, hiking, and exploring the desert. Any chance I get, I will be camping, in my kayak, or exploring some part of nature.”
Q: What is your go-to meal?
A: My favorite is authentic Mexican food or Thai food. You can’t go wrong.”
Thank you, Mrs. Smith! We enjoyed learning more about you. Know that your hard work and efforts do not go unnoticed.
THE RETURN OF THE EYE 