Welcome to our new series, all about getting to know our very special Youth Services staff members at the Barrington Area Library! Each month, we'll publish an interview with one of our lovely staff members. Up next we have Youth Services Librarian MaryJo!

What is your favorite part of working at the Barrington Area Library?

As a lifelong reader of children’s literature, I am ecstatic to be a part of the wonderful staff at Barrington Area Library as a Youth Service Librarian. I love talking about different books and finding the perfect book for everyone. I love being silly in story times, recommending my favorite books, and helping children find their new favorite series.

What are some of your favorite books and/or genres?

Fantasy, mystery, and adventure books are some of my favorite genres, but I am always up for new suggestions.

More specifically, my favorite book in our Youth Services collection is The Sign of the Cat by Lynne Jonell. I am a big fan of any books featuring dragons or cats. (Since I have a cat, and once had a dragon (a bearded dragon named Beast!)

Do you have a hobby or knowledge of a certain topic that you like to incorporate into your work at the library?

Something new I’ve been trying is learning how to garden. I love working with and learning from the Master Gardeners that come to the Teaching Garden, and applying that knowledge to programming for children. I also love learning about mindfulness, and incorporating that into our story times. 

What do you like to do when you’re not working at the library?

I love crafting, spending time with my daughter, puzzles, baking, and of course, reading.

Is there a fun fact about yourself that you’d like to share?

Before working at the library, I used to work for the big mouse, Mickey Mouse, at Walt Disney World in EPCOT at Innoventions!

    Youth Services Specialist Stefanie Molinaro