We are so excited to introduce our new Neighborhood Library Supervisor at the Carroll Gardens branch, Molly Pudner, who has been at the Carroll Gardens Library branch since January. Molly submitted to our questionnaire so that we can all get to know her a little bit better - enjoy!
FCGL:How long have you been a librarian?
MP: Since 2005
FCGL: Where were you before coming to the Carroll Gardens branch?
MP: Maternity leave! It was
great. But before that, I was the Neighborhood Library Supervisor at the
Eastern Parkway branch, a supervisor at the Cypress Hills branch, and
young adult librarian at the Leonard branch, and I worked a year in
Central’s Youth Wing doing teen and children’s programs. I met my
husband there, he’s a public school teacher and brought his class to the
Central library every Friday! (and dressed suspiciously extra nice
those Fridays….).
FCGL:What made you want to be
a librarian?
MP: I worked for a family literacy program in Juneau, Alaska
for three years and one of the highlights for our families was getting a
library card. It puzzled me they did not take advantage of the library
before as I used them every chance I got and knew they had so much to
offer. And it dawned on me this was my perfect job: incorporating my
love of books, my passion for promoting literacy, and my goals for
public service. I’m so proud of the institution of the public library
too: a place where all are welcome.
FCGL:What do you like best about being a librarian?
MP: Learning new things
every day; helping people; talking about books; keeping up on the
publishing world: I used to do this for fun and now it's part of my job.
FCGL: Did you go to the library a lot as a child?
MP: Oh yes. I remember
summer reading programs at my local library in southern California. I’ve
used libraries a lot throughout my life; while travelling I always
sought out the local library.
FCGL: What are some of your favorite books?
MP: I have to say Pride and Prejudice, I'm one of those that read Austen's books several times; they are wonderful every time. I also seek out memoirs of all kinds; Speak, Memory by Nabokov and Are You Somebody?
by Nuala O’Faolin are two favorites. I adore Children's literature, the
illustrators Helen Oxenbury and Maurice Sendak, and have great love for
classics like Roald Dahl and Philip Pullman. I'm currently reading Wolf Hall by Hillary Mantel and Hallucinations by Oliver Sacks. I like to have a fiction and a narrative non-fiction going on at once.
FCGL: Do you own an e-reader?
Nope! I suppose I will someday, but I have no plans at the moment to get one.
FCGL: What do you think the role of a librarian is today? Are books and libraries still relevant?
MP: The
library is a vital part of a community for so many reasons. The digital
divide is very much real and larger than I think people realize, and we
are often the only place people can turn to for help. Job seekers need
email addresses to apply for a job, they need computers, and often times
don't know how to go about doing any of this. You can find
this throughout Brooklyn in great numbers. We are here for English as a
second language classes, GED classes, leisure pursuits like arts and
discussions for all ages, early childhood programs, parents returning to
college needing research assistance - we provide these and so much
more. They are incomparable resources. Findings show New York library
usage is only increasing, yet our funding is cut every year. It's
heartbreaking.
Say hello to Molly the next time you are at the branch!
