Three (or more) Special Things Know about Brittany Taylor
In an interview with Brittany, one month into her new position as the Librarian at Brewster Ladies Library, here is how she answered the question, “Tell us three things about you that are not on your resume.”
Number 1
I have a lifelong love of literature and books. My Mom read to me every night and I loved getting new books at the library. My favorite store as a kid was the bookstore Borders, because I would always come home with new books to read.
The love of books and reading led me to a degree in English Literature. Throughout my educational career, I was very big into the British writers. Jane Austen, the Brontes, and some Gothic authors such as Bram Stoker. One thing I appreciated about Austen’s worlds and in titles like Jane Eyre were the subversive ways the women in the novels were able to assert themselves within the confines of their restrictive societies.
This kind of empowerment is likely part of the history of the Brewster Ladies Library. In the beginning of libraries, most librarians were men. Women were eventually hired into the role in the 1880s as they were often better educated than the men drawn to librarianship but could be paid lower wages. As women grew to dominate the field, they grew more and more into positions of leadership that, within this feminized role, would not threaten the masculine ideals of the professional world at the time.
Despite this appreciation for the history of women in the library field, I became a librarian because I wanted to help people.
How do libraries help people?
Lending materials is just the foundation. Libraries are now community centers where all forms of information are shared and accessible. There are resources for mental and physical health, resources for housing, and access and referral to many services. They offer access to recreational, occupational, and personal pursuits. There are also psychological and social benefits to being at a library, whether through attending programs or just coming into the building and seeing a smiling face. Libraries have always been about more than books.
Number 2
Sharing Kindness is a local group that fundraises and advocates for suicide awareness and prevention, mental health education, and grief support for the Cape and the Islands. When I was six, my uncle died by suicide and it profoundly affected me. Now I volunteer for Sharing Kindness, where my mother is also very involved. One way I’ve tried to use my professional knowledge in helping the organization is by developing book lists for young people experiencing grief or the loss of a loved on by suicide. I try to focus on fictional works as I find these to sometimes be more accessible for both children and adults. There is still so much stigma around suicide and I do my best to use my resources to help with the important mission of Sharing Kindness.
Number 3
The last thing that I’d like to mention is my dog Leroy. He’s a nine year old American Staffordshire Terrier (more commonly referred to as a pit bull). Leroy is a rescue that my fiancé Nick adopted when Leroy was three months old and already 30 pounds. Leroy is really a couch dog, but will occasionally let me take him into Nickerson for a walk. Nick and I will be married this September in my Dad’s backyard on Cape.
I want to end by giving an update of my time at the Library so far. I’m finding out what everyone here already knows…. the staff of the Brewster Ladies Library is incredible. It is admirable to have so many dedicated staff members with a variety of impressive skills and focuses. All of the staff have been nothing but supportive and helpful to me during my first few weeks.
In addition, the volunteer system is exceptional. It is unique to have such a devoted array of year round volunteers. The zeal and hard work of the staff, volunteers, and all of the Association members is really what makes the Brewster Ladies Library special.
Please come and say hello at a special coffee hour meet and greet May 11 from 11 – noon. I’m counting on your ideas for ways to add to the Library’s already stellar reputation and for ways to interact with the friends, members and all who come through the doors.
