#sparkchamber 040521 — Kimberly Rues
This week, #sparkchamber is shining a big, bright spotlight on National Library Week. This year’s theme is “Welcome to Your Library,” promoting the idea that libraries extend far beyond the four walls of a building, and that everyone is welcome to use their services. During the pandemic, libraries have been going above and beyond to adapt, expanding resources to meet the changing needs of users. Whether in person or virtually, a visit to the library offers opportunities to explore new worlds through access to technology, multimedia content, and educational programs.
Celebrate the week by visiting your library. Share what you love about it at the American Library Association http://www.ala.org/ ‘s Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook page. Include the hashtag #MyLibraryIs to be entered into a drawing for a $100 Visa gift card.
Every day of every week, vocal community support helps libraries secure much-needed funding and reminds hardworking library staff that their efforts are appreciated. In fact. Tuesday of National Library Week is National Library Workers Day. Which brings us to our own great magician of the entire universe of books, librarian Kimberly Rues. Reposted from May 11, 2020, in her own words:
“There’s nothing better than connecting a young reader with a book that allows them to experience all that’s wonderful about books — a tear-jerking ending, a bit of inspiration, edge-of-the-seat suspense, or a character that makes us LOL.
I’m a career educator [this is year 29] and the first half of my career was spent as a middle-grade classroom teacher. One day in 2005, a lightbulb went off above my head and I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my career as a school librarian.
I now know that connecting kids with books is only one tiny piece of the job, but it’s still my favorite moment of the day.
I’m inspired by the power of a story to change lives, to open minds, to be a window into another world. It’s a gift I can give a child. Every. Single. Day.”
For more, you can follow Kimberly on Twitter, or connect via LinkedIn.
1.] Where do ideas come from?
I’ve found that some of the best ideas are those that germinate on the fly — a quick chat with a teacher in the hallway, a text message with a colleague, a musing about “I wonder what would happen if...”
2.] What is the itch you are scratching?
I believe in the power of story. Most everything I do has something to do with bearing witness to that idea.
3.] Early bird or night owl? Tortoise or hare?
Early morning. Cup of coffee. Quiet.
The hardest part are the first few words. Sometimes I just have to jump in... and I never know quite where the words will take me. I’ll start with the hint of an idea — a belief, a dream, a smidgen of possibility — and as I write, the words carve out the final form.
4.] How do you know when you are done?
Done — that something that never really has an expiration date. I know when the thoughts are done when they wrap up in a tidy little package. As for the spit and polish, that could go on forever — change a word here, adjust a comma there ... and at some point, you just have to decide to let it be.