WiLS May 2016 Member Interview: Jean Anderson, South Central Library System

One of our greatest joys at WiLS is hearing our members tell the stories of the big and important work they are doing – interesting new projects or initiatives, or even interesting and new approaches to old projects.  And, in addition to hearing about it, it makes us even happier when we can share those stories with other members.   Each month, WiLS is proud to feature an interview with one of our library members.  This month, we interview Jean Anderson, Continuing Education / Multitype Consultant at South Central Library System and current Vice-President of the Wisconsin Library Association!

These interviews are part of a series of interviews with both WiLS library and vendor partners.  Your feedback is appreciated.  If you have any to offer on this article, or suggestions for upcoming interviews, contact Andrea Coffin at .

Why did you, personally, choose to work with libraries?

I’ve always been a big reader and library user. I was an English major in college and had no idea what I was going to do after that. When we moved to Logan, Utah for my husband to start graduate school, I got a job as the Night Circulation Supervisor at Merrill Library on campus. That’s where I learned that I could become a professional librarian and do this for a career and I was hooked. When my husband finished school and started looking for a job, I encouraged him to only apply to positions in states that had an ALA-accredited library school and we ended up in Missouri where I received my MLS from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1996. I can’t believe that I’ve been a librarian for that long – it seems like yesterday that I started my career.

Being of service is very important to me in my career and personal life. Being a librarian – whether it’s in the public library setting or behind the scenes – fills that need for me. My “patrons” are my library colleagues in the South Central Library System and throughout the state.

What is unique about the culture of your library system and member libraries? How do you influence it?

We are a large library system – both in the size of our libraries and in geography. Our system goes all the way up to Marshfield and down to Monroe. Our 54 libraries range from small and rural like LaValle Public Library to large and urban like Madison Public Library. I love hosting Continuing Education workshops or All Directors Meetings and seeing the energy, discussion, and ideas that are generated by our library directors and staff. I’m happiest when I see genuine connections being made between library directors or staff members because of a workshop or meeting that I host or participate in.

My favorite part of my job is getting out of the office and working directly with our libraries. As I said earlier, being of service is a part of who I am and I bring that to my job every day. I truly want everyone who attends a workshop, webinar, or meeting that I’m hosting to have a great experience (and learn something, too).

What do you think is important to know about the community you work with? What helps you understand those needs?

My community is the directors and staff of our libraries. As the Continuing Education Consultant, I have the unique opportunity of getting to know many of our library staff members personally. I love the opportunity to build and develop those relationships and personal connections.  And because we’ve developed these relationships, library staff feels comfortable letting me know what they need or are interested in for webinars, workshops, or in-services. As a system consultant, I also have the opportunity to attend many conferences and webinars to keep informed about the needs of library staff.

What big ideas are being worked on in your library system? What problems are being solved?

There are always lots of ideas and projects going on here at SCLS. One that I’m most involved in is our Rising to the Challenge discussion. At a recent All Directors meeting, we used Rising to the Challenge as a basis for libraries to discuss what’s going on in their libraries and their strategies for the future. The results of that discussion will help SCLS define our service priorities and projects and ensure that we’re helping our libraries provide the best possible service to their public.

Do you have anything else you’d like to share here?

Happy 125^th Anniversary to the Wisconsin Library Association! I have the honor of serving as the Vice-President of WLA and I look forward to seeing you in Milwaukee in October to celebrate this milestone with your colleagues – there will be cake!