Today we’d like to introduce you to Katia Graham
Hi Katia, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
In bringing my toddler to storytime at the public library more than a decade ago, I marveled at all it had to offer. My son Max registered for a kindergarten-readiness program called 1000 Books Before Kindergarten and socialized with the other children after storytime. Librarians would often take out toys and offer craft activities at the end of the program. Library exposure not only piqued my son’s interest in reading, it strengthened our parent-child bond. Sometimes we would just go to the library to cozy up and read or work on puzzles together. “This is amazing,” I recall thinking.
It wasn’t long before I realized that I wanted to be the person leading the interactive read-alouds for families. After all, the English major in me gravitated toward working among books. At the time, I worked in journalism, another career that is a driver for putting quality stories in the hands of the community. Did it even make sense for me to switch gears? But that is the point. To find something you love to do and work hard at it. So I started volunteering in the library, earned a master’s degree in Library and Information Science from the University of Southern California, and began working as a children’s librarian. Mission accomplished. I loved my jobs as Children’s Librarian at Coronado Public Library and Youth Services Librarian at the La Jolla/Riford Branch of San Diego Public Library
Last fall, I formally launched Librarian on the Go, a catalyst to encourage reading and community engagement; Librarian on the Go can be contracted to provide à la carte librarian services. Clients include City Ballet of San Diego, the Museum of Contemporary Art in La Jolla, La Jolla Music Society, California State Parks, schools, and more. The idea stems from my appreciation for outreach. One has to go out to draw the nontraditional user in. And there is a place for librarianship in nontraditional spaces. Librarianship is that relevant.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
In a way, Librarian on the Go developed organically. When libraries were closed for programming during the Covid-19 pandemic, I started leading storytimes at parks throughout San Diego County. I was literally a librarian “on the go.” For many people, it was their first time attending a librarian-led storytime. Librarian-led storytimes are awesome because libraries are awesome! And their resources are free! I loved recognizing these people in the library where I worked later on. Their kids have library cards. Fast forward a few years, and some of the faces at Librarian on the Go events today are from those park days.
Taking a chance is always a little scary. Librarianship on the move? But I find that the best things in life are worth taking a chance on. So far, so good.
As you know, we’re big fans of Librarian on the Go. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Librarian on the Go is an original undertaking. It offers flexibility for both the librarian and the client. Services include storytimes, librarian shifts, research, literacy workshops, educational program design and execution, and more. I am so proud of being able to show that librarians can adapt to different settings and apply their expertise in new ways. I would like readers to know that librarians are there to help, wherever they are based. Librarians can do anything! Oh, and Librarian on the Go services are available in Spanish! It is also possible to sign up for the Librarian on the Go monthly newsletter at www.librarianonthego.com to learn about free family-friendly events.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
Please see previous response regarding Covid-19.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.librarianonthego.com
- Instagram: librarian_onthego
Image Credits
“A Book and a Ballerina” program image, courtesy of City Ballet of San Diego; pop-up park storytime at Pepper Grove Playground in Balboa Park; reference desk at MCASD during Prebys Play Day; annual holiday storytime at the Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center; and school assembly program Librarian on the Go organized for La Jolla Music Society in collaboration with Sager Family Farm.
