Meet YSS Board Member Betsy Bromley

Betsy is one of the newer YSS Board members, and is also the Children's and Young Adult Librarian at the Oconomowoc Public Library.  Next time you see her at a conference or workshop, take a minute to introduce yourself!  In the meantime, here's a taste of what she's all about:

What book character would you be most excited to have over for dinner?  What would you serve them/what would you do?

This is tough! But I think I would choose the hilarious heroines of the travel memoir Our Hearts Were Young and Gay by Cornelia Otis Skinner and Emily Kimbrough. (I know, I know! Are they really characters if it's a memoir?! Discuss!) This memoir is a very funny account of the European adventures of two American women in the 1920s. 

I would serve them something from the crockpot, as that is one handy invention they wouldn't have had in the 1920s. We would go for a boat ride on Oconomowoc's Lac La Belle, in honor of the ladies' fondness for seafaring.

What is one of your greatest challenges as a librarian?

Keeping up-to-date with and thinking creatively about technology and social media. How can the library use tech and social media to engage patrons, and how can we keep up with where the people are when tech and the web change so quickly?

What makes you most excited to come to work?

Definitely the kids. Every day, a child does or says something meaningful and/or hilarious. If everyone's days were full of books, high fives, hugs, and laughter, the world would be a much happier place.

What’s a program or service you’ve developed that you are most proud of?
I'm proud of our storytimes. We have a puppet duo (of now-retired library staff) who have performed together for over 30 years. They have a multi-generational following, and are truly a local treasure.

What is something unrelated to work that you like to do?

I love being involved in community theater. There are quite a few similarities between theater and children's librarianship -- wearing funny costumes, speaking in different voices, getting silly in front of large groups...

What made you decide to say yes to the YSS Board?
My friend (and children's librarian extraordinaire) Jennie Bahnaman served on the board and encouraged me to run. I had been impressed at the YSS Board's creative presence and energy at WLA, and was excited to join a dynamic group like that.

 Any other tidbits to share?

Being on the YSS Board is inspiring and well worth a try. I would encourage everyone to be on the board at some point, as it is a great chance to work with wonderful colleagues from around the state, to learn more about librarianship, and to flex your creative muscles in a new way.