Staff Profile

As a Library Assistant at Willowbranch Branch Library, Jason Brown has been dubbed “Mr. Willowbranch” because he knows his customers’ reading interests well and has great customer service skills. He is also a self-taught artist, who has self-published a mini-comic art book that he distributes at comic book conventions and has used his talents to improve library service.

Q: What is unique about Willowbranch and its customers that has kept you there most of your 11+ years with JPL?

A: I worked at Murray Hill for about a year and a half and have worked at WB for over 10 years now. I could not imagine working at another branch. We tend to get a diverse range of people walking through our doors. For me, it has always been about people and the information the library has to offer them. I enjoy helping, especially after getting to know certain visitors over a period of time. I feel like I am making a difference to people in the Riverside community. There is variety in my job since each patron's interests are different. I love talking about books and movies with customers.

Q: What qualities do you think a person needs to serve library customers well and enjoy doing it?

A: A calm demeanor is important. Patience. Being nice. One needs to love information.

Q: What is the most important thing you have learned in your career with the library?

A: Being surrounded by so much information and people seeking information in all areas, I learn something new every day. On a professional level, I have learned the importance of excellence in customer service. As a customer myself, I notice a lack of customer service skills in general; therefore, at work I put emphasis on being kind and thorough.

Q: You have used your artistic talents well as a Library Assistant. Tell us about that.

A: I have not really used them lately in the library. When Keith Hayes was the Children's Librarian at Willowbranch, he would have me draw scenes and characters from children's picture books to use for his story time. I would pencil and ink them and he would color them. We also had what we called the Willowbranch Tower. It was a mock up of a building, made of construction paper with little windows and it was adhered to the wall next to the children's desk. I would pencil and ink various characters, such as Peanuts, Muppets and Clifford, and he would shrink them down to less than half an inch. Then he would color them and put them in the windows of the tower. We had a lot of fun incorporating art into the workplace and the kids seemed to enjoy it, too. To be honest, I had not done anything artistic for sometime until Matthew Moyer of Main Popular recently pulled me back into the fold by asking me to handle art chores on a zine he is creating and writing. He has inspired me to pick up the pencil and ink again.

Q: Other than art, what do you like to do in your spare time?

A: Other than spending time with my wife, family and six cats, I enjoy reading and collecting books, reading and collecting comics, watching films, listening to music, and collecting comic book related toys. I also enjoy biking. I have been commuting to work via my bicycle for almost three years. I am very proud of that. It keeps me in good spirits throughout the work week and is a key ingredient to staying happy and motivated.