WLA Member Profile: Lisa Vos
Lisa Vos writes from Stevens County about being “surrounded by fires” and being on evacuation alert. She says: “Even with the unpredictability of fire, anyone can see how our communities strengthen and support each other during times of crisis. We keep our heads high and stay positive. I am proud to be a part of the heart of the community!” Meet Lisa:
Q. How do you like your job?
A. I love, love, love my job as Library Assistant 1 at the Libraries of Stevens County. The best thing about it is that I get to learn something new every day through helping patrons and apply that knowledge in the future. I have a variety of tasks every day, I even get to do story-time! I look forward to new challenges and learning through different perspectives. Nothing beats a patron leaving happy/satisfied, even if it is just attention they are needing. The people I work with support each other and stay positive. Priceless. They have seen me through a lot of trials and always manage to make me smile. Thank you!
Q. How long have you been a member of WLA?
A. 2 years.
Q. How have you been personally involved in WLA?
A. I was the WALE Conference Co-Chair in 2014, currently serving as WALE Interest Group Vice-Chair.
Q. How have you benefited from being a member of WLA?
A. Through WALE I have had many opportunities I would not otherwise have had being an LA1. My leadership and communication skills have grown tremendously, I am more confident addressing peers and superiors, public speaking and soliciting from strangers. The hugest perk of WLA is my amazing mentor, WALE Chair Joe Olayvar. The entire WALE crew is encouraging, motivating and loyal, inclusion with no bias!
Q. What is your favorite thing about libraries?
A. What I love about libraries is the vast amount of information in one place. Plus, if you can’t find what you are looking for someone is always there to help!
Q. What is the last book you read? Or what are you reading right now?
A. I just finished The Boy in the Suitcase by Lene Kaaberbol and The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins. I am currently listening to All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr during my 50 minute commute to work while reading Empty Mansions by Bill Dedman at home.
Q. What area of the library stacks do you like to browse in for your own enjoyment?
A. The “New Books” section is my favorite. DIY always attracts my eye as well as travel books and species identification books.
Q. Where did you go to school?
A. I graduated from Washington State University in 2013, 6 months after the passing of my husband.
Q. Do you have any children? Any pets?
A. I have 3 children: Sadie, 12; Aurora & Orion, 8.
Q. What is your favorite travel destination?
A. Any sandy river beach. Elephant Rock on the Quinault Indian Reservation is a must see!
Q. What are your favorite foods?
A. Sushi/sashimi, Prime rib (any steak with horse radish/medium-rare), Pizza. I could eat Bruschetta with tomato, basil, mozzarella and olive oil all day long!
Q. What is your favorite leisure-time activity, or what do you do to relax?
A. I visit my favorite brewery, Northern Ales. I hunt for mushrooms and huckleberries! I love to read, watch movies with my family, play outside, garden, watch the wind blow, and dig my toes in the sand.
Q. What is your favorite music?
A. I am not a huge fan of country music but I like anything at least a little funky. My parents said I should have grown up in the 60’s-70’s. My favorite musician is Michael Franti; he carries beautiful messages in the grooviest of tunes!
Q. Is there someone you personally admire and would want to emulate?
A. I have been fortunate in my life to have very strong women guiding me and picking me up when I fall down. My mother, Martha Ann Calabretta, previous Idaho State Senator and environmental resource trustee and my twin sisters, Debora A. Miller-McQuigg (photographer and artist) and Rebecca T. Miller (Editorial Director of Library Journal). They always said I should work in a library and they were right!
Q. What are some words to live by?
A.
- The Golden Rule, always and forever.
- If your dreams don’t scare you, they aren’t big enough – Ellen Sirleaf.
- Upon us all a little rain must fall – Led Zeppelin.
Q. Is there anything else you’d like to share about yourself?
A. Right now many of us in WA are surrounded by fires. It is a very stressful time for our communities. We have been on evacuation level 3, packing up the house but now we are on level 2, allowing us to relax some. Even with the unpredictability of fire, anyone can see how our communities strengthen and support each other during times of crisis. We keep our heads high and stay positive. I am proud to be a part of the heart of the community!
