In honor of National Librarian Day, we wanted to highlight a longtime FLOC supporter and librarian, Carmen Boston! Carmen has been a librarian for over ten years and currently works as the Children’s Services Coordinator at D.C. Public Library. Get to know Carmen more below!
- Describe your role as the Children’s Programs & Partnerships Coordinator?
I work system-wide with all youth library staff to serve children, teachers, parents, and caregivers. My responsibilities include professional development, program planning, policy and standards creation, and partnership liaisons with D.C. schools and local organizations. - What made you decide to become a librarian?
I have always loved research and initially planned to be a research or academic librarian. An internship with D.C. Public Library’s youth services department at Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library sparked my interest in children’s librarianship.
- What has been the most significant change in the role of a librarian from when you first started to now?
I think the biggest change is happening now due to the COVID-19 pandemic — serving patrons without a building. All libraries across the country are expanding their digital programs and resources, and working to serve patrons with limited or no access to digital resources or devices.
- What brings you the most joy about being a librarian?
The great enthusiasm of the DCPL youth staff. DCPL librarians are very passionate about their work for children and their families, and I am proud to be part of this group.
- What is your favorite book?
I have to say The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger because it was the first novel I read and liked. I was a reluctant reader, and this was the book that encouraged me to try to find other books I could enjoy. My favorite children’s books are Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats, and It looked like split milk by Charles Green Shaw because I have fond memories of my kindergarten teacher, Ms. Campbell, reading them to my class. Now I have tons of books I want to read and not much time to read them.
- Do you have a favorite quote from a book or author?
I don’t have a favorite quote, but my favorite word is “persevere.”
- What advice would you have to students who want to be librarians when they grow up?
Look into the many different areas of librarianship. What you see in your school or the public library is not the only type of librarian that exists. Many librarians don’t work in a library, and there are more to libraries than the books they own.
