Clare – Library Associate
Worked for BPL Since: February 2017
Educational Background: Fashion Design Degree from Nottingham Trent University, England
Favourite Books: I love character driven books, children’s picture books and any book I can find about making art and food. Some of my favourites are ‘Wonder’ by R.J. Palacio, ‘Ladies Drawing Night’ by Julia Rothman, ‘The Wonder’ by Emma Donoghue, ‘Harmony’ by Carolyn Parkhurst and ‘The Heart Goes Last’ by Margaret Atwood.
Favourite Authors: Anne Tyler, Fredrick Backman, Jamie Oliver, Roald Dahl, Lauren Child
Family and Pets: My family moved to St Louis from Nottingham, England in 2003. My husband and I have two fabulous sons, a dog and a cat. I am originally from Lincoln, UK which is a beautiful cathedral city.
Hobbies and Interests: I love to read books and I also enjoy making art in them and from them. I use many old books in my art journaling and will often use a book as a sketchbook or make a fresh book using my bookbinding skills which I am working hard on. The outdoors and exercise are very important in my life, I love a nice long hike or a tough pilates class. Thankfully with a house of hungry boys, I enjoy cooking and baking.
Gina – Library Director
Worked for BPL Since: September 2007
Educational Background: A B.A. in Language and Literature from Webster University, an MLS from UM-Columbia
Favorite Books: His Dark Materials series by Philip Pullman, Dory Fantasmagory, All the Birds in the Sky, The Queen of the Tearling series, arts and crafts books galore and home decorating books like Styled by Emily Henderson.
Favorite Authors: Kate Atkinson, Jandy Nelson, Lynne Rae Perkins, Hilary McKay, William Steig, and Brené Brown. I have a few illustrators that I love as well: Melissa Sweet, Chris Raschka, Christopher Robinson, Marjorie Priceman and William Steig again.
Family and Pets: I have a seven year old who is heavily into the Dog Man series. I can’t blame him for that. It’s good stuff. I have a German Shepherd mix named Beezus, after the character in the Beverly Clearly “Ramona” books.
Hobbies and Interests: I love fabric and occasionally sew what I buy.
Hilary C.- Lead Library Associate
Worked for BPL Since: September 2012
Educational Background: Agnes Scott College with a degree in Mathematics
Favorite Authors: Jenny Colgan, Beth O’Leary, Mo Willems, Sandra Boynton, Maureen Johnson, Naomi Novik, Elly Griffiths, Marissa Meyer
Family and Pets: My husband and I have a lovely human toddler, a dog and a cat.
Hobbies and Interests: I love arts and crafts, especially papercutting. Our household is currently very interested in trains, going on long walks and collecting sticks and rocks. The animals and I enjoy taking afternoon naps, but the child does not share that interest.
Sam-Library Associate
Worked for BPL Since: February 2021
Educational Background: A B.A. in English, emphasis is creative writing from Webster University. Currently working toward an MLIS.
Favorite Books: The Lady with the Dog by Anton Chekhov, The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle, The Stranger by Albert Camus, Snow Day by Ezra Jack Keats, Axolotl by Julio Cortazar, The Bus Driver Who Wanted To Be God by Etgar Kerat.
Family and Pets: Although I do not have any pets, I am currently housing 22 unicorns.
Hobbies and Interests: I am a fan of the subtle beauty of gothic and macabre art. While not particularly talented, I enjoy drawing pictures of mice, working on paper and metal arts, and collecting vintage umbrellas, coats, and purses. I excel in consuming stuffed crust pizza.
Sarah-Youth Services Librarian
Worked for BPL Since: October 2018
Educational Background: B.S. in Sociology and a Master of Library Science from University of Illinois.
Favorite Books: I like reading across genres, but I’m typically drawn to non-fiction and graphic novels.
Family and Pets: My two cats, Harvey and Foot Foot.
Hobbies and Interests: I enjoy roller skating, listening to podcasts, reading, being outdoors, and baking tasty vegan cookies.
Susan-Technical Services Librarian
Worked for BPL Since: 1997
Educational Background: Master of Library and Information Science from University of Illinois
Favorite Books:
- The Three Musketeers – Alexandre Dumas
- Jane Eyre -Charlotte Bronte
- Farewell in Splendor: The Passing of Queen Victoria and her Age – Jerrold M. Packard
- Their Eyes Were Watching God – Zora Neale Hurston
- The Autobiography of Malcolm X
- David Copperfield – Charles Dickens
- The Complete Sherlock Holmes – Arthur Conan Doyle
- The Fellowship of the Ring – J.R.R. Tolkien
Favorite Authors: Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, J.R.R. Tolkien, H.G.Wells, Arthur Conan Doyle, Oscar Wilde, Paul Laurence Dunbar, P.C. Doherty, Stuart MacBride, Robert McCammon, and Barbara Hambly.
Family and Pets: I have a 15 year old daughter who is starting to ask about driving.
Hobbies and Interests: Reading, shopping, cooking, and learning new things.