Member Spotlight - Joy Lang

February 27, 2023

This week's member spotlight is on Joy Lang. Joy is an adult services associate at the Joliet Public Library. Joy is a current member and past manager of the Reaching Forward Forum. We asked Joy to tell us a little about herself and answer a few professional and amusing questions. Continue reading to find out more about Joy. 

A little background on Joy

I grew up in Oak Park and attended Oak Park and River Forest High School before going on to Northern Illinois University. I married and raised my two children (a girl and a boy) in Bloomingdale. For 28 years, I worked in IT for Allstate's corporate office. In 2009, I relocated to Joliet and remarried in 2011. I began working at the Joliet Library's main branch in 2018 and then transferred to the Black Rd. branch two years later.

I've been sewing since I was eight years old and enjoy all types of craft projects. After starting at the library, I began doing genealogy full-time. That is one of my interests, along with my three grandsons who live nearby.

How did you get your start in libraries?

After retiring from my IT career, I wanted to work in my favorite place - a library!

Best advice you've received since starting your career in libraries?

Make sure to take a break. That may seem like a little thing, but I wasn't used to doing it.

Any advice to newcomers working in libraries?

Get involved in ILA forums. I love seeing what other libraries are doing.

When and why did you become a member of ILA?

In 2019, I became a member of the Reaching Forward Forum as part of my membership. After my first Reaching Forward Conference, I was hooked.

How has being a member of ILA helped you professionally? 

It fulfills my need to be involved in outside activities.

What is your proudest professional achievement to date?

Being the chair of the Reaching Forward Conference in 2022.

Hardcover, paperback, e-reader, audiobook, or all?

All, but hardcover is my favorite.

Favorite author?

Diana Gabaldon

If you were stuck on a deserted island, what five books would you bring with you to pass the time until being rescued?

  • A Brief History of Time and 'The Theory of Everything' by Stephen Hawking
  • Origins by Neil deGrasse Tyson
  • Napoleon: A Life by Andrew Robert
  • War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy (it's large and boring, but it would keep my busy after I finish the rest!)

Cat or Dog?

Cat

Favorite film, podcast, or television show?

The Big Bang Theory

One person you would like to meet, dead or alive why?

My maternal grandmother; she died before having any grandchildren. I've heard she was a bit of a rebel who did whatever she wanted. I think she would have been a fun grandma, which I missed having (my other one lived out of state).

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