Job: Youth services librarian, Mableton
What I do: Once upon a time, the only things in libraries were books and old-lady librarians who said, "Shhhhhh." But now, at the new South Cobb Regional Library in Mableton, there are videos, computers, puppets, story games, crafts -- and, yes, books. And librarian Lisa Glasscock encourages children to laugh, play and sing.
Glasscock, 30, one of two youth librarians, has worked there since the new building opened in May. She's in charge of story time for the youngest visitors to the library, organizing crafts and using puppets to help her tell the stories.
Other times, she works on the reference desk, where she helps guide young scholars through their homework assignments, or she sets up displays for events, such as the upcoming Dr. Seuss week. She is involved in selecting biographies for children's departments in all 17 branches of the Cobb County Public Library.
"Librarians just like to help people," she said. "I enjoy helping them find what they're looking for."
But at story time, 20 or so youngsters flock around "Miss Lisa" for the story, crafts and activities.
"Especially with the little kids, we add in a lot of movement," she said, such as blowing bubbles. "They're really sweet. They tend to be a little shy, but they like to be read to."
Each week, "I pick a theme, or I find a couple of books I like and make a theme," such as teddy bears for Valentine's Day or biographies for Black History Month.
It's all a path to learning while having fun, she said. And even if things do get a little loud sometimes, "I don't shush."
What got me interested in this: Glasscock worked as a window dresser after getting an art degree in college, but she wanted to do something else while still using her creativity.
"I went to the library in my hometown" in Alabama, she said. "It was a lot different than what I thought."
She liked what she saw and returned to school for a graduate degree in library science. The Cobb job is her first since earning her master's degree.
"I get to use all the things I like to do," such as being around children, using puppets and drawing, she said.
Best part of my job: "I get to see kids enjoy learning here," she said. "I try to make it fun and let them know that they can find what they're looking for."
She said she enjoys helping with class assignments. "That's when I get excited. I try hard to make it fun when we look for the answers. When they have success, they get excited."
Most challenging part: "Knowing that I have so much to learn, because I'm at the beginning of my career," she said. There are always new tools for searching for information, and "people who come in here -- their questions are always something different."
What people don't know about my job: The library can get noisy -- but not too loud.
"This place has a lot of activities," she said.
What keeps me going: "I feel like I'm part of the community," Glasscock said. "I get to know the kids and their families. I get to be a part of their lives and their schools."
Preparation needed for this job: A librarian should have a master's degree in library science. In addition, a children's librarian needs to be compassionate, want to help people, have an imagination, know technology and, of course, care about children.
It also helps "if you don't mind looking silly. The sillier you are, the more the kids like it," she said.
She earned a bachelor's degree in art from Huntingdon College in Alabama and her master's degree in library science from the University of Alabama.
- By Karl W. Ritzler, for ajcjobs. Got an interesting job that you love? E-mail your story to jobseditor@ajc.com.