Why I Love Libraries
As a former KidSpace Associate and current Teen Services Associate at Gail Borden Public Library, I’m grateful to coordinate a variety of programs.
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As the Volunteens coordinator, I served as the direct supervisor to a wonderful group of middle school volunteers.
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As the Read to Rover coordinator, I supervised therapy dog volunteers. It’s a joy to witness a reluctant reader tell a story to Trucker - a therapy dog with his own fan letters.
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On the subject of letters, I piloted our library's Write to Rover program. Kids write letters to animal pen pals, such as Trucker the cardigan corgi, Carmello the bunny, and the library’s very own Rocket the turtle. My ball python, GG, loves writing letters back to the kids!
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I love leading programs that foster literacy, such as Write to Rover, Read to Rover, and Writing Club. As the Writing Club coordinator, I’ve seen the program grow right alongside the kids. These young writers inspire me to grow in my own role as a storyteller.
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As a storyteller, I led Rainbow Family Storytimes for celebrating Pride Month, as well as storytimes celebrating Autistic Pride Day. Inclusive programming is a pivotal focus in my library career – be it book displays, readers’ advisory, or library programs.
Trucker the therapy dog helps us read Pride Puppy at Rainbow Family Storytime
Image Source: Personal Photo
GG loves reading kids' Write to Rover letters and slithering over snaketacular art
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Image Sources: Personal Photos
Professional
Experience
As you read my resume, please enjoy my book displays!
Image Source: Personal Photo
Image Source: Personal Photo
Image Source: Personal Photo
KidSpace
Library Associate
Gail Borden
Public Library
Elgin, IL
11/2017 - 1/2025
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Coordinated Volunteens, a volunteer program for middle school students
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Coordinated Writing Club by leading virtual and in-person writing events, collecting submissions for literary journals, and managing Beanstack writing challenges
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Coordinated Read to Rover, a bilingual program where kids read to therapy dogs
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Coordinated Write to Rover, a bilingual program where kids write to animal pen pals
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Created displays, including book displays, art displays, and display cases where students showcase their collections
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Led LGBTQ+ inclusive programming, such as Rainbow Family storytimes, Transgender Day of Visibility book displays, and Pride Month crafts
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Led neurodivergent inclusive programming, such as Autistic Pride Day storytimes, Neurodiversity Celebration Week book displays, and neurodiverse booklists
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Assisted community members of all ages at the KidSpace reference desk by providing readers’ advisory, answering reference questions, and promoting library programs
Humane Education
Specialist
Anderson Humane
South Elgin, IL
3/2017 - 10/2021
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Hosted birthday parties for kids and their families
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Assisted with programs for kids and teens, such as Critter Camp
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Assisted with events, such as Pets-a-Palooza
Volunteer Engagement Assistant
Northern Illinois Food Bank
Geneva, IL
10/2016-7/2018
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Led volunteer orientations for groups of up to 200 volunteers
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Coordinated volunteer opportunities for corporate groups, faith groups, youth groups, families, and individual volunteers
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Assisted with events, such as the annual volunteer appreciation event
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Assists teen patrons (Grades 7-12) at the Studio 270 reference desk
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Coordinates programs, including Teen Graphic Novel Club and Teen Writing Club
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Coordinates department-wide Communico entries, graphics, and copy requests
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Serves as Person in Charge
Kids and families displayed 85 rainbow rocks, celebrating Pride Month June 2023
Image Sources: Personal Photos (Rainbow Rocks) & wix.com (rainbow flag background)
Education
Day 1 @ Dominican University
Image Source: Personal Photo
Dominican University
Image Source: Personal Photo
Elmhurst University
Image Source: Personal Photo
Elmhurst University
Image Source: Personal Photo
Dominican University
River Forest, IL
Master of Library & Information Science
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graduating May 2025
My favorite courses so far:​
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Book Reviewing and Publishing for Children and Adults
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Integrating Technology into Programming, Services, & Instruction
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My favorite projects so far:
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Creating my blog Aron the Future Librarian
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Presenting on how libraries can best serve transgender patrons
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Creating tech demos, such as:
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Writing book reviews for:
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My proudest moments so far:
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Awarded the 2022 Bound to Stay Bound Books (BTSB) Scholarship
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Thank you to BTSB and to ALA for this scholarship!
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Elmhurst University
Elmhurst, IL
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BA in English
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Minor in Sociology
Honors Global Scholar
Member of Sigma Tau Delta International English Honor Society
Writing Center Tutor
3/2014 – 5/2015
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Conducted tutoring sessions with undergraduate students
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Helped students develop their essays in MLA and APA formats
Resident Adviser
3/2014 – 5/2015
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Created interactive programs for students, connected students to campus resources, and developed an inclusive building community
MiddleWestern Voice Editor
8/2013 – 5/2015
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Collaborated with fellow editors to create Elmhurst University's literary journal MiddleWestern Voice
Circulation Desk Assistant
A.C. Buehler Library @ Elmhurst University
8/2013 – 5/2015
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Checked out library materials and study rooms to students
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Helped students locate library materials and navigate library databases
Elgin, IL
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Associate of Arts
Honors Scholar
Membership:
Phi Theta Kappa
Honor Society
Creative Writing Scholarship Student
8/2011 – 5/2013
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Contributed to the submission, editing, and distribution process of Elgin Community College’s literary journal Spire
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Prepared for coffeehouses, author readings, and Writers Center events by collaborating with students and faculty
Image Source: Personal Photo
Elgin Pride
Board Member
I volunteer to coordinate events for Elgin Pride, a non-profit serving the LGBTQ+ community in Elgin and beyond. In addition to overseeing my fellow volunteers, I host several of my own events here in Elgin, including Chat & Caffs (cafe meet & greets), Queer Mountaineers (hikes), and LGBTQ+ Book Clubs.
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Poet
One of my favorite poetry readings was the
Loving Elgin Poetry Celebration at Gail Borden Public Library. In addition to reading my own work, the students in my Writing Club library program shared their poems on why they love our hometown Elgin. Their poetry and art was published in the library's Loving Elgin Poetry Journal.
As for my work, you can read my poetry on the Elgin Poet Laureate website. One of these poems is an ode to Trucker the therapy dog. It was a joy to have Trucker join me on stage as I celebrated his therapy work in verse. I also penned a farewell poem for a favorite café that had closed down, as well as a 4 Seasons poem for my favorite forest preserve.
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Aside from writing poetry, I'm working on a fiction novel called Hello Kumo: Tales of a Troublemaking Cloud. I also enjoy sharing my library adventures on my blog aronryan.blogspot.com
Image Source: Personal Photo
Image Source: Gail Borden Public Library
Neurodiversity
Advocate
Celebrating neurodiversity is a key part of my professional life and a major passion in my personal life. I find it fascinating to learn about how our minds work in infinitely unique ways to bring diverse strengths and diverse challenges to the table. As someone who is neurodivergent, it's important for me to ensure that everyone is accepted as they are, whether I'm at the library or out in the community.
Snake Dad
Meet GG! His full name is Giorno Giovanna, but I just call him GG or one of his million nicknames - danger noodle, boop snoot, banana boy, etc. He's a three year old banana ball python. He loves working from home, participating in virtual library programs over Zoom. He also loves reading the letters that kids write to him at the library. When he's not busy slithering over mail, he's a gentle soul who enjoys exploring blanket piles, blowing bubbles in his water bowl, and having plenty of introvert time. If you'd like more snake pics, be sure to Subscribe for a monthly GG selfie.
