Our staff are our pride and joy! They keep this place running smoothly; making sure our community has the materials they need while offering original programming and library services for our treasured patrons. We’re excited to share more about the amazing staff who work at Wood Buffalo Regional Library in our blog feature: Staff Spotlight!
One of our Community Engagement staff, the always giggly, down-to-earth, and most likely to be voted “coziest sweater collection”,
Miki McNaughton, sat down with us for our next staff spotlight interview.
WBRL: What is your role at our library and how long have you been working here?
Miki: I’m a Community Engagement Associate and in my role, I create and facilitate programs and events for newborn to 5-year-old patrons and their families within and outside our library. I have been here for seven years in July.
WBRL: What is your educational or professional background?
Miki: My professional background is in Child and Youth Counselling, but I am currently taking open study courses with SAIT to increase my general knowledge of libraries and their services.
WBRL: What is a library project that you are working on that excites you?
Miki: I am currently developing the plan for our Storytime at the Cabin series at the Doug Barnes cabin for the summer, the overarching theme is camping. It brings me a lot of joy because I love the Birchwood trails, the Doug Barnes cabin, and developing programs that can combine a love of nature, literacy, family time, and this great community space!
WBRL: Describe a library memory or moment that has brought you joy. It doesn’t have to be from WBRL, it can be from when you were a patron at another library!
Miki: When I was a child my grandma lived across the street from Brighton Public Library, so visiting her would usually mean ending up there. I can close my eyes and still remember walking through the doors and smelling all the books. I had to walk by certain shelves to get to the Sweet Valley High books—those were my favourite at the time, and then I went to my favourite study corral by the window. It’s where my love of libraries was formed.
WBRL: Do you have any talents that don’t get a chance to shine at the library?
Miki: I think I’ve thrown all my talents into my crafting programming already—mostly when I did the adult programs, like soap-making and cross-stitching.
WBRL: Is there a random subject that you are so knowledgeable about that you could write a whole book on it?
Miki: Talking people off the ledge. With my background in child and youth counselling, I have become the resident therapist for the office and my friends.
WBRL: What is your current or last read?
Miki: I just finished a book last night called Careless People by Sarah Wynn-Williams. It’s a non-fiction memoir about her time working at Facebook. She was there from its inception until 2017 after it’s influence on the 2016 election was investigated. I think its important for anyone who uses any form of social media to read this one.
Keep an eye on our blog to read more Staff Spotlight interviews!
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