Meet our friendly librarian Jesse
Next up in the staff spotlight series is Jesse, our Library Customer Service Officer. We speak with Jesse about her top reading recommendations and what she loves most about her role.
What are you currently reading?
I like to have more than one book at a time on the reading roster, so I’m currently reading:
- I Like What I Know: A Visual Autobiography by Vincent Price
- The Only One Left by Riley Sager
- Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
What is your favourite genre to read and why?
My favourite genre is always and forever gothic horror, but science fiction and fantasy will always have a place in my heart too. Gothic Horror draws me in by its imagery, and I find every misty moore and candle lit entirely enchanting. Gothic Fiction usually contains a lot of moral and philosophical themes manifested into physical horrors, and my favourite kind of stories are always the ones that leave me bereft and haunted by the end. Despite the usual despair and gravity of each tale, these stories often have overarching themes of enduring hope and devoted love which transcend the bleak and oppressive settings and events. Gothic Fiction is a beautiful genre that always seems to draw me back no matter how far I stray, so much so that I have a homage to it tattooed on my arm.
What are your top book recommendations of all time?
- Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfield
- The Bridges of Madison County by Robert James Waller
- Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
- A Psalm for the Wild Built by Becky Chambers
What's your favourite part of your role? How long have you worked at Bayside?
Apart from the obvious answer of books all day every day, I do think I am very fortunate to be surrounded by so many people with similar passions to myself. My colleagues are some of the very best people in the world, and I’m proud to work alongside them and bring all our passions and knowledge back to our community. We have a lot of fun behind the scenes organising our programs, displays, and special treats for our wonderful patrons, and that makes the job all the sweeter for me. As for how long I’ve worked here, I’m coming up on three years at Bayside.
Why do you love being in a library environment?
I love the sense of community that comes with it. Libraries are no longer just about the books, but about the connections we make in our learning. I love all the people who come in and tell us all about the things their reading and discovering, and think those connections are so vital to living a good, happy life. It’s especially great when the kids come in to chat to me about their lives and passions – libraries give us new friendships and connections every day that change our lives for the better.
