When she was six, she was going to be a marine biologist. When she was fifteen, she was going to be a tattoo artist. But when she got into college, Julia Hawkins found that the best job on campus was at the library. Over 10 years later, Julia is still working at the library – and this year celebrates her five year anniversary with KDL.
Okay, to be fair, Julia has actually worked at KDL for six years. She spent her first year traveling to 16 different KDL branches working as an Information Substitute. In 2014, she was hired into the Patron Services Department and worked there for three years before moving into a role at the Kent District Library - Service and Meeting Center front desk. Just when she thought she could settle in, she moved into another new role to help support KDL’s marketing, programming and community engagement efforts. Some people wear many hats; Julia wears all of the hats. And she’s not finished yet.
“Eventually, it came time to go back to school,” Julia said. “It may scandalize you to know that I am not getting my Masters in Library Science. Instead, I am halfway through my Master of Social Work. However, if you think social work isn’t part of library world, I encourage you to take a look at what San Francisco Public Library has been doing.”
One thing that Julia never could’ve imagined KDL providing to patrons when she first began back in 2014 is the KDL Grooves vinyl record and turntable collection.
“If you told me we were bringing vinyl into the collection, I would have thought you were a little too attached to the past, but it’s so cool that we offer not only music, but the experience of listening to it on a record player!”
Something that Julia hopes to see at KDL in the next five years is, well, herself!“Yes, it is a selfish desire to stay at KDL and use my degree, but I also think social workers can bring so much knowledge and many needed services to the public library world.”
Thanks for being such as awesome addition to the KDL family, Julia!
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