Member Spotlight - Jessica Rodrigues
November 25, 2024
-
This week's member spotlight is on Jessica Rodrigues. Jessica is the Director of the Steger-South Chicago Heights Public Library and a member of the ILA Reaching Forward North Committee and the ILA Small and Rural Libraries Forum.
We asked Jessica to answer a few professional and amusing questions. Continue reading to find out more about Jessica.
A little background on Jessica:
My name is Jessica Rodrigues and I am the Director of the Steger-South Chicago Heights Public Library, a Trustee at the Park Forest Public Library, and an instructor in the Library Technical Assistant program at Joliet Junior College. My first library job was as a page, and since then I have worked in just about every role and department inside the library.
I love showing patrons the capabilities of their library by answering oddly specific questions (like "how high above sea level is my house?"), helping solve their own personal mysteries (like "what was the name of the diner my great-great grandpa owned in the early 1900s?"), or sharing resources to navigate complicated seasons in their lives. In my free time I enjoy trying new recipes, family road trips, and attempting to play the banjo.
How did you get your start in libraries?
In fall of 2011 I walked into my local library to pick up The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern after reading a review and saw a sign that they were hiring for a part-time page. I was in grad school for another field and working two part-time jobs and I guess I didn't think I was busy enough yet because I began working there, too!
What was meant as a side gig has turned into a happy career. I am proud to be one of the many "accidental librarians" who walked into the library one day to pick up a hold and left with a job.
Best advice you've received since starting your career in libraries?
Network with other library workers in whatever way you can – networking groups, conferences, visiting other libraries, even on Facebook. We have so much to learn from one another and so many opportunities for support and community-building. I know library workers tend to skew towards introversion, myself included, but remember you're among peers, so make friends wherever you go.
I try to keep in touch with people I meet at conferences, in forums/committees, former coworkers, or my classmates from University of Alabama's MLIS program. The Illinois library community is awesome.
Any advice to newcomers working in libraries?
Familiarize yourself with your library's policies because they're there to protect and guide both staff and patrons, and don't take it personally when a patron is having a bad day. Always remember that you, your coworkers, and your patrons are all on the same team.
When and why did you become a member of ILA?
When I began working at my current library in 2016, the director at the time really encouraged me to network and become involved in the profession. It was great advice. Thanks, Jamie!
How has being a member of ILA helped you professionally?
Seeing what other libraries are doing has given me so many ideas and so much inspiration that I have been able to bring back to my library. There are so many opportunities for continuing education. Since becoming a director, I am becoming more familiar with other initiatives ILA has going on to support administration and trustees.
What is your proudest professional achievement to date?
In 2023 I became a library trustee for the library where I started my career. I am so grateful for the opportunity to work alongside the other trustees and the new director there to create and revise policies to better support our staff and to improve our patrons' experiences. I have recently been able to vote to approve policies I had hoped and dreamed for back when I was an employee there. I really want to encourage other library workers to get a seat on their communities' library boards and bring your insider perspectives.
Hardcover, paperback, e-reader, audiobook, or all?
I prefer to read ebooks for portability reasons.
Favorite authors?
Ilona Andrews and Silvia Moreno-Garcia.
If you were stuck on a deserted island, what five books would you want with you to pass the time until being rescued?
The five books of the Innkeeper Chronicles by Ilona Andrews. I rarely re-read books but these are an exception. Humor, sci-fi, fantasy, action, romance – this series is a fun combo.
Cat or Dog?
I have what a doggie DNA test classified as a "supermutt" named Lincoln. He is a big black and white fuzzy beast who always looks like he's smiling. He's a very good boy.
Favorite film, podcast, or television show?
I like to watch baking and cooking competition shows and pretend I could be a serious contender.
One person you would like to meet, dead or alive why?
There's too many! I think Civil War hero Robert Smalls lived an incredibly impressive life and I bet he would have some great stories and insight.
iREAD Summer Reading Programs
Latest Library JobLine Listings
