WiLS November 2016 Member Interview: Teresa Voss, Verona Area School District

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 Teresa Voss, Library Media Specialist at the Verona Area School District.

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

While I always loved libraries and found creative ways to sneak into them, being a librarian was not my first choice as a profession. I don’t think I even realized how one became a librarian when going through school.

I started my school career as an English and social studies teacher, and I incorporated my love for libraries and research to complement what we learned in class. When it came time to start working on continuing education classes, I believed that attending library school would best help me out.  What started out as a way to learn how to better meet the needs of my students grew into a passion for working in the library. In this role, I get to work with and support students, staff, and the community around reading, information literacy, and technology.  Every day is different; every day is enjoyable; each day I am thankful I fell into a position I love!

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

I am in a unique position of working in a school with three library spaces in two different buildings.  Each space has a different niche and feel due to location and contents.  Yet, each belongs to the larger whole of the program. The library program believes that we are a part of the school community, and we should reflect and create a place where all students feel welcomed no matter one’s background or beliefs.  Students take an active role in helping shape the attitudes and usage of the spaces.  This set up would not be possible without the collaboration between teachers and the technology integrator and the support of my administration.

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

The library is a reflection and culmination of our school culture.  Each year the school’s demographics and curriculum change, so it is crucial that the library does too.  Learning about the students comes from attending content and curriculum meetings, looking at data, searching out information about the population, and connecting individually and collectively with students through different contexts (teaching, studying, reading, technology, and extra library sponsored activities).  Each method reveals a facet of our school’s population, which helps to show the larger whole.

What big ideas are being worked on at your library or libraries?  What problems are being solved?

We continue to strive to find ways to best meet the academic and personal needs of our students.  As a staff, we are working to introduce eMagazines and continuing to promote our eBooks and digital audio (we just went 1:1 with iPads). We are also delineating spaces to meet large group, small group, and individual needs including social and quiet spaces; this results in a more student-centered space.  Last, with the technology integrator, we have just created our Maker Space area for students and staff to use. As our school continues to promote the ideas of personalized learning, this space offers students a chance to explore and learn.

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

Each day is a new experience where I get to grow right along with the students and teachers.   I love my job!

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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 .