29 Sep Staff Spotlight on…Brianna Harting!
You see their faces, you may know their names, but it’s time to really get to know your local librarians and library staff!
Meet Brianna Harting, Teen Librarian.
Q: What brought you to HEPL?
A: My bachelor’s degree is actually in graphic design, and that’s what I did for the first 5 years of my career! I turned to libraries when the pandemic forced me to reevaluate what I wanted from a job. I wanted to be able to help people and make a difference in my community, so I went for the “dream job” I wanted as a kid: librarian. My favorite interactions in my first library job were with teens, so I made my way to teen librarianship at HEPL (which was also my home library as a teen!).
Q: What do you do at the library?
A: I’m the Teen Librarian at Noblesville which means I run the Noblesville programs, create displays, keep the TeenZone organized, and of course, help folks find their next new book. My favorite part of the job is interacting with our teen patrons. They always make me smile!
Q: What is your proudest work achievement?
A: It might sound corny, but I have to say it’s the relationships I’ve developed with teen patrons! For some teens, the library is a safe haven away from a chaotic school or home life, and I’m honored to play a small part in providing that for them.
Q: What’s one thing people might not know about you?
A: I’m a gamer! I play Fortnite regularly to stay in touch with some long-distance friends, and I just started playing Starfield.
Time for some rapid fire questions!
Q: What’s your biggest irrational phobia and why?
A: I’m afraid that bugs will come back to life after I squish them, so I always flush them down the toilet.
Q: If you were a dessert, what would you be?
A: A pizzelle! It was an Italian pastry my grandma always had at her house when I was growing up.
Q: What’s one thing on your bucket list?
A: Owning the 12 foot tall skeleton from Home Depot.
Q: Who do you look up to most in life?
A: Another corny answer but my chosen family! I’m very lucky to be surrounded by some amazing people who are constantly pushing me to be a better, more empathetic person.
Q: What’s the most important thing you have on or near your desk right now?
A: Art from my teens! Every once in a while, a teen will give me something they made, and I always keep them by my desk. Right now, I have some creations from last year’s Fright Night, plus a hand sewn owl from one of my regulars.
Thanks for answering our questions, Brianna! Stop by and say hello to her at the Noblesville TeenZone!