Member Spotlight - Jazmin Wilkerson
July 24, 2023
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This week's member spotlight is on Jazmin Wilkerson. Jazmin is the Youth & Teen Librarian and Teen Volunteer Coordinator at the Lemont Public Library District, and she serves as co-chair of the ILA Diversity Committee.
We asked Jazmin to tell us a little about herself and answer a few professional and amusing questions. Continue reading to find out more about Jazmin.
A little background on Jazmin
I am currently the Youth & Teen Librarian and Teen Volunteer Coordinator at the Lemont Public Library District.
I enjoy reading fiction and listening to a good audiobook on long car rides. When I am not working, I can be found cooking, playing the latest RPG video game, playing D&D or board games with friends, gardening, and spending time with my cat Tyrion, and two dogs Khaleesi and Arya.
How did you get your start in libraries?
When I was a little girl, I loved going to my local library. I remember one of the librarians remarking that I looked like a little librarian, with my hair in a bun and trying to get all my books onto her desk. When I was fifteen, I became a student worker in my high school's library. The librarians at my school educated me about how a school library was run, and I became interested in making it a career path.
Best advice you've received since starting your career in libraries?
The best advice I ever received was from an old supervisor who told me to always try something new when working with teens and to never take it personally if a program idea doesn’t work out like I had envisioned.
Any advice to newcomers working in libraries?
Remember that you do all you can for patrons and their families. I have had countless teens thank me for the programs that I put on for them and the many service hour opportunities that I provide. Another piece of advice is to join as many librarian support groups as you can, especially ones geared towards the age group you are going to be working with.
When and why did you become a member of ILA?
I became a member in 2020. I joined because I have always wanted to learn as much as I can about the profession I am so passionate about and thought that becoming a part of ILA would help me grow as a youth and teen librarian.
How has being a member of ILA helped you professionally?
It taught me to get out of my comfort zone and stand up for what I believe in. Being able to join the Youth Services and Young Adult forums has also helped greatly with my professional development.
What is your proudest professional achievement to date?
I started in my position in April of 2020 just when the world was shutting down. I had no clue how to do programs through Zoom, but I knew I wanted to offer something really fun as my first big program. I thought it would be a great idea to try a D&D program during this time to keep teens connected to the library. Since then, it is still going strong three years later with the same core eight members. My biggest group to date has been eleven teens and seeing them grow and learn the game since day one has been a beautiful experience for me.
Hardcover, paperback, e-reader, audiobook, or all?
All
Favorite author?
It’s really hard to choose one person! There is a major tie between Elizabeth Acevedo, Deborah Harkness, and 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?
- With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo
- Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
- Scythe by Neal Shusterman
- A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
- The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
Cat or Dog?
Both
Favorite film, podcast, or television show?
Favorite show: New Girl
Podcast: My Favorite Murder
Film: Tuck Everlasting
One person you would like to meet, dead or alive why?
The one person that I would love to meet is Frederick Douglass. I would love to talk to him about his life after reading his autobiography, Life and Times of Frederick Douglass, when I was in college.
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