Written by Suzette Schmidt of Preservation Services.
I have always been a person who enjoys a mystery, whether reading a book or problem-solving through tasks. My love of reading began at age 5. My mother was an elementary school teacher, and she decided it was important for me to learn how to read before starting school. She taught me how to read prior to entering kindergarten which I am extremely grateful for. I absolutely loved to read (still do) and I became a voracious reader. My favorite place to visit growing up was the public library. I had no clue then that I would eventually be working in a library as an adult, however. This came as a surprise to me, but it felt right.
As a second-grader, I began reading Nancy Drew mysteries, which I loved as a kid. I am now using Suduko and Crossword puzzles outside of work to take the place of mystery novels. However, I get to fill this “problem-solving” need at work, as well, which I find enjoyable. There are some aspects to my job where I am in a continual search for serial issues which either appear to be misplaced or missing as well as items which seem to “magically appear” as a surprise or a gift that I had not previously been looking for.
When I am presented with these journal issues, I happily get out my “sleuthing skills” to figure out the next steps that needed to be taken either to claim for any missing materials, or to bind those that have been found during this process. It gives me a tangible sense of accomplishment when I am able to resolve each “mystery” which comes my way.
Library and Archives Preservation 