Tell us about your varied work experience and how that has been a rich resource to you as Director Gubbin’s Executive Assistant.
Throughout undergrad and graduate school I worked part time at a wine store and wine bar. There I learned that I love event planning and was able to develop several programs (classes, parties, tastings, etc.) which taught me the importance of planning and having contingency plans. I started working at an upscale hotel right after I graduated from college. That experience taught me the importance of customer service, never saying “no” to a customer but rather finding them an alternative when needed, and how to work with difficult customers. I returned to school to get my M.S. in recreation therapy, after which I worked with veterans with traumatic brain injuries, post traumatic stress disorder, and addictions. When I moved to Jacksonville I continued my work in drug and alcohol treatment and mental health in general. The biggest take-away from that that I can use in my current position is the importance of stress and time management. Being able to take care of yourself means that you are more able to help others when they need it. I focused a lot on stress management, relaxation, and mindfulness with my patients—that has helped me personally to stay in the moment and not sweat the small stuff.
Not having a library background, what has been most helpful to you in acclimating to the world of libraries?
I know most people dread meetings. But, when I first came to the library, I asked to be allowed to go to as many meetings as I could. It is important that I have a big picture view of the library as well as understand the day-to-day activities that go on so that I am better able to anticipate what the director needs and the needs of the administrative team and the Board. Talking to people and listening to everything that was going on really helped me to figure out my way around library language—although there are still times I find myself jumping on Google to figure out just WHAT people are talking about!
You have been in JPL during the most traumatic budget conditions. What aspect(s) stand out to you as being critical in getting through these times?
The resiliency of the staff has really been what has gotten the library through the last few years. It’s incredibly difficult to do your job well when there is so much uncertainty hanging in the air. The fact that staff are able to continue to do what they do—and do it so well—is a huge testament to what this library is about. I think that support from each other is going to be critical in continuing to deliver the high level of service staff do.
What is your key to success?
Organization. Hands down organization has been the biggest factor in being successful in any job that I have ever worked. Being organized means I can work more efficiently and effectively. Luckily for me I’m naturally organized (and actually enjoy doing it.) Working on the SDD committee this year was a lot of fun for me because I got to organize an entire event! To me, having a well thought-out plan helps deal with any changes or wrinkles that may happen. If you have a solid base, it’s much easier to make adjustments than if you are making decisions at the last minute. And, as we are all aware, changes happen constantly and on the drop of a dime.
Tell us something about yourself that most of us would not know.
I am a singer. Not a great one, but I do love to sing and perform. I began singing when I was in elementary school with my church choir and continued on to now singing with the Jacksonville Symphony Chorus. I’ve had several very cool opportunities thanks to my involvement in different choirs. The two coolest that I can think of are very different from each other. The first was in high school when I got to sing as part of the back-up choir for Shania Twain when she performed in my hometown. The other was getting to tour through Germany for 20 days with my choir in college. We got to perform in some of the most beautiful, historic churches—I even cried in the middle of one performance because it was so amazing. Just don’t ever ask me to sing karaoke—I won’t do it!
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