As we approach the end of Women's History Month, we at Anne Arundel County Public Library (AACPL) thought it fitting to honor one of our own illustrious female colleagues: Barbara Gosnell, who has served AACPL for half a century!
Barbara has worked as a part time Information staff member since August of 1972. She has worked across the county at many branches, and can currently be found at Mountain Road Library. Join us in celebrating Barbara's extraordinary contribution to AACPL through her 50 years of dedicated service.
What are the biggest changes you've seen in the system since you started at AACPL?
It has to be all of the [changes regarding the] internet and computers -- all of that has dramatically changed the way in which we do our jobs! When I first started, we had book catalogs and there was one for authors, one for titles, one for subjects and one for children. And so, we would only see that perhaps we did own it. And then, we had to call branches one after another and ask them to check the shelves. And if they didn't need it right away, we wrote out what I think were little blue slips that got sent by interoffice envelopes from one branch to another. And they would check to see if they had it, and if they did, they would send it to that branch. So, it was dramatically different! We also had far more reference questions than we do now. Plus, programming is much more extensive now! We had programs in the summer and that sort of thing, but nothing of the caliber that we have now.
From a historical standpoint - what's one thing libraries had in the '70s that you would bring back if you could?
The world has changed and, in many respects, it's for the better. I do think I'd like to see kids playing outside more instead of hooked onto their computers or phones -- people don't go anywhere without their phones!
How has the internet changed AACPL?
Sometimes, I'm not so sure that people understand that if you Google something, you may or may not get the accurate answer. I used to teach -- I was a school librarian for 20 years, and I remember teaching kids how they could figure out whether a particular website would be accurate . . . And at the end of the lesson, I said, 'well, what did you learn today?' And they said, 'not to believe everything you find on the internet'.
I think that we need to do more of that, more emphasizing the databases and how we have them because they're reliable. We know that they will give you accurate information. I mean, back in the '60s and '70s, we just barely had started with a school library program [on that subject]. But I think that we could still do some work on that because I think there are an awful lot of people who Google something and think they have accurate information. And sometimes they don't realize that the top [search results] are ads and people have paid to get them to the top. So, I think emphasizing and trying to educate people about what we have [is extremely important].
How have you seen the community needs change?
I mean, we didn't have databases and all that sort of thing when I first started. So, that's what's made a dramatic difference in how we do our jobs and how we can access information, how we can get books from other public libraries and even from out of the state, that we wouldn't have necessarily been able to do 50 years ago. I think technology allows us to provide services that we wouldn't necessarily have been able to provide in the past, other than a telephone number back in those days.
So, we've taken on a lot more things that we have never done before. I mean, even the business of passing out test kits and masks during a pandemic -- we've got a much broader view of what services we can provide. I mean, we'd never thought about curbside [service] before and people sending us text messages so that we can put the books out for them safely.
Is there a favorite program or service that the library offers that you are especially fond of?
I think because of the groups that meet, I'd have to say Summer Reading, and I'm looking forward to the fact that we will be able to provide those programs and get kids more involved on a personal level, by being open and able to do that. I mean, it's been kind of a strange time in this pandemic, and I think we're all looking forward to getting back to doing some of the things that we enjoy most, and which patrons enjoy most. So, I could see that this morning, they were all happy to be here.
I remember somebody at my school asking me to set up a summer reading program. And I said, 'now, why would I do that when the public library already offers a sensational one?' It wouldn't have made sense.
Have you seen any major changes in reading trends? What genres have gone in and out of fashion (and maybe back again)?
One of the things that really has changed reading: we had books on cassette, but the eBooks and eAudiobooks have transformed what we can offer people, when they're traveling somewhere else, especially.
Also: graphic novels! We didn't have graphic novels. But they really are a big draw, especially for a lot of teens. But even elementary school-aged kids love graphic novels . . .
[Additionally], I have seen a lot more adults borrowing young adult materials, too, more than they ever had. I mean, I think, the young adult materials now appeal to a wider range of people than just teens.
What are some of your favorite books that you recommend to other bibliophiles?
I love historical fiction. So, I've loved the books that Kristin Hannah does, Leila Meacham. I have read some lately that aren't necessarily [historical fiction] but, I really like Kelly Rimmer's books, and right now I am doing Jacqueline Winspear’s Maisie Dobbs [series] -- she's an investigator and psychologist, so there's a touch of mystery there, but it's interesting. I enjoy things where you've got multiple books to look forward to.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out in library service?
Learn every day, as much as you can. Take advantage of the opportunities that are offered for growth and education. I mean, we have many, many opportunities to take courses and that sort of thing. In school libraries, you could take some workshops with the county, but more likely you also had to take things that were college courses. And we at AACPL have so many opportunities to learn about a wide variety of things -- it's really wonderful, what's offered to people.
In your longevity with AACPL, what are some of the most memorable moments you've had?
Well, one was going to a General Staff Meeting and I had been nominated for the Individual Achievement Award and I didn't know it. So, when my name was called, I was totally shocked because I didn't even know that I had been nominated. So, that was a big highlight.
And working with customers! We once had a man come in who wanted his son to read a book that he enjoyed when he [himself] was in fourth grade. And all he could give us was the very sketchiest of backgrounds. And there were three of us at the desk at Glen Burnie [Library]. So, we didn't come up with the name of the book until, of course, after he left. However, at that point, we're trying to think, 'okay, how can we contact him?' And a colleague remembered that she had placed a hold for him. She didn't remember his name, but she did remember what hold she placed. So, we were able to figure out who he was and have a phone number and could call and say, 'we can get the book for you'. That gentleman actually wrote a letter to the [leadership] -- and in those days they weren't CEOs, they were Library Administrators -- so he wrote to the Library Administrator complimenting us on what a great job we had done to find that book for him. <laughs> It took three of us to do it, but we were pleased that we were able to do it for him!
What keeps you coming back?
I love working with the people that I do. And, you know, it's nice to know some of the people who come into the branch all the time. I just enjoy working in libraries! And when we closed for almost three months, I said, 'well, I have to find myself another library.' So, I actually spent much of that time in my church library, weeding and rechecking the card catalog and ordering items, et cetera. So, I just laughingly said, 'well, I just went off to my other library until you came back.' It's just been a great experience.
[One of my supervisors] always said the most remarkable part of my career was the fact that I stayed and still worked in the public library, as well as the school library. But it keeps me busy. It keeps my brain active, and I learn something new every time I work at the public library.
We salute Barbara and hope she brightens your library experience as much as she brightens ours!