MCTBA Committee

The 2010 MCTBA Committee:

Emily Alford
Youth Services Librarian, Greenfield Public Library

–I’ve Been A Librarian For… a little over two years.  This is my first job as a librarian, but my second career.  I used to be a cartographer.
–Favorite Genre of Book: Lately I’ve been reading a lot of science fiction, but I also really like realistic fiction and historical fiction.
–Favorite Thing to Drink While Reading: lemon/lime Gatorade
–Favorite Childhood Book: Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery
–When I’m Not Reading, I… am playing with my dog Buster, competing on a dart league, watching the Brewers, running, or crocheting.
–If I Could Spend the Day with Any Literary Character, It Would Be… Severus Snape.  What can I say?  I’m a huge Harry Potter nerd.
–Best Vacation Ever: I went to Tunisia for Christmas with my host family while I was an exchange student in Germany my junior year of high school.
–When I Was in High School, I… was on the debate team and in band.  Go flutes!

Beth Henika
Youth Services Librarian, North Shore Library

–I’ve Been A Librarian For… almost 4 years
–Favorite Genre of Book: I tend to like fantasy and dystopian novels, but I’m up for anything.
–Favorite Thing to Drink: Coffee, and when I’m feeling fancy, a cinnamon dolce latte
–Favorite Childhood Book: The Giver by Lois Lowry
–When I’m Not Reading, I… watch way too much tv.  I also have a dog and a toddler that I chase around.
–If I Could Spend the Day with Any Literary Character, It Would Be… Harry Potter and Co.  He’d give me a tour of Hogwarts, teach me to play Quidditch, and take me to The Three Broomsticks for a butterbeer.
–Best Vacation Ever: I took a cruise to Alaska.
–When I Was in High School, I… didn’t read many teen books.  I like to think that I’m making up for that now.

Katie Hubbard
Reference and Teen Services Librarian, West Allis Public Library
waplteens.blogspot.com

–I’ve Been A Librarian For… almost 5 years now.  I  worked in Michigan for three years before relocating to West Allis!
–Favorite Genre of Book: Chick lit and Slacker fiction, if there’s a girl in pink or a boy who wants to be in a band, I’ll read it!
–Favorite Childhood Book: Rotten Ralph by Jack Gantos
–Favorite Thing to Eat/Drink while Reading: Popcorn and Diet Coke
–When I’m Not Reading, I’m…shopping, listening to music, attempting to run and watching reality TV.
–If I Could Spend the Day with Any Literary Character, It Would Be…Princess Mia from the Princess Diaries. We would watch Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Lifetime Movies, while discussing world peace and cute boys, in Hello Kitty pajamas, of course.
–Best Vacation Ever: Mexico, on a beach with a book and my family.
–When I Was in High School, I…loved making reading maps for my English classes. It was like story time crafts for novels!

Richmond Kinney
Librarian, Shorewood Public Library and Oak Creek Public Library

–I’ve Been A Librarian For… just over one year- and a crazy year it’s been!
–Favorite Genre of Book: I go back and forth between gross zombie books and cute realistic romances.
–Favorite Childhood Book: The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin. Great mystery set on the shores of Lake Michigan.
–Favorite Thing to Eat/Drink while Reading: Fizzy water and juice- the fizz really classes up the juice.
–When I’m Not Reading, I’m… cooking, watching TV (give it up for Parks & Rec!), and snacking- preferably all at the same time.
–If I Could Spend the Day with Any Literary Character, It Would Be… Dream/Morpheus from the Sandman series by Neil Gaiman. Solely for the drool factor.
–Best Vacation Ever: Costa Rica, baby! Howling monkeys, giant scorpions, empty beaches….why did I ever come back to Wisconsin?
–When I Was in High School, I…was the quiet one in the back of the room.

Megan Markiewicz
Reference and Teen Services Librarian, West Allis Public Library
waplteens.blogspot.com

–I’ve Been A Librarian For… This is my 5th year at West Allis, and I was also a school librarian for 4 years before venturing into teen services in the public library!
–Favorite Genre of Book: Fantasy and paranormal romance… and Sarah Dessen books 
–Favorite Thing to Drink While Reading: Hot chai tea, preferably with cookies or scones – or both!
–Favorite Childhood Book: A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett – someday soon I hope to change my best vacation ever to a trip to India!
–When I’m Not Reading, I… When I don’t have my nose in a book (which isn’t very often!), you can find me training for half marathons, quilting, or sailing on Lake Michigan (in the summer, of course!).
–If I Could Spend the Day with Any Literary Character, It Would Be… It’s a toss-up between the awesomely funky, arty Karou from Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Lani Taylor and Lola from Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins.
–Best Vacation Ever: Backpacking into Havasupai in the Grand Canyon.  No showers for 4 days, and the most gorgeous waterfalls in the world!
–When I Was in High School, I… was a total band nerd!  Go, clarinets!

Tiffany Wait
Teen Librarian, Shorewood Public Library
www.shorewoodlibrary.org/teens

–I’ve Been A Librarian For… 5.5 years, but I’ve worked in libraries since high school (I’ve been a book nerd for quite awhile!)
–Favorite Genre of Book: dystopias and books with a strong emotional impact
–Favorite Childhood Book: The Giver by Lois Lowry
–Favorite Thing to Eat/Drink while Reading: chocolate chip cookies and milk
–When I’m Not Reading, I’m… usually looking for another book to read:)  Otherwise I’m watching movies, biking, hiking, and traveling
–If I Could Spend the Day with Any Literary Character, It Would Be…Lyra Belacqua (and Pantalaimon) from The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman
–Best Vacation Ever: tie between snorkeling in St. John, US Virgin Islands and hiking in Yellowstone
–When I Was in High School, I…got shushed by the librarian all the time!