Meet the Staff - August 2023

Each month, we will be highlighting different members of our staff so you can get to know us. This month, we'll introduce you to Courtney and Haley. You'll often find Courtney out and about in the library talking about one of her vacations or talking about books and helping patrons find their next read. When Haley isn't cataloging books, she helps out with our social media making fun and informative posts or she'll be at the desk helping patrons.

Courtney

I have lived in Northwest Ohio all of my life, even attending college in the area. After obtaining my bachelor’s degree from the University of Toledo, I decided to set down roots with my now husband in Clyde. It’s a short commute from where I live to get to work, but I love my job and the Port Clinton community. I’m a people person and love to talk and get to know the patrons that come in. Over the last 7 ½ years I’ve learned and experienced a lot here at Ida Rupp. I was able to obtain my Master of Library and Information Science degree as well as take on numerous roles and tasks I never thought possible. As I touched upon before, my favorite part of working here and at a public library is the people. I love helping people find needed information whether that be books or local research information. Through my evolving job scope I have also had a more hands on role with materials and the collection development. I love learning about new books, authors, and other materials that are coming out and ordering them for the collection.

When I’m not at work I’m spending my weekends at the race track with my husband (at least during the warmer months). During the off season we love to travel and I take every opportunity I can to visit new places. Over the past ten years we have visited over thirteen different countries, with a plan to add three more to the list this fall. Any of the regular patrons that know me, usually stop and ask if I have any trips planned or where my next destination is. I always have a trip at least partially planned at all times. I am also a proud fur mom of two dogs, Ellie and Bristol. I’m an animal lover, specifically dogs, and would have 100 dogs if my husband would let me! Being a librarian, of course I love to read. I wish I had more time to read than I do, but audiobooks definitely help with this. I like to listen while in my office and during my commute to and from work. My favorite authors are; John Grisham, Colleen Hoover, and Gabrielle Zevin. I’ve also become a fan of different podcasts, most of this emerging during the pandemic. If I’m not listening to an audiobook, then it is usually a podcast. There are many different types of that I listen to, but I tend to be a sucker for any type of true crime. My two go-to favorites are Crime Junkie and Deathbed Confessions.

Currently reading: Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Sutanto

Watching: Justified: City Primeval (the original Justified is one of my all-time favorite shows and this follow-up is pretty good)

Listening: Tyler Childers latest releases and my various true crime podcasts

Favorite TV show: One Tree Hill

I’m a sucker for the early 2000’s teenage dramas. This was one that was my go-to while in high school and college and I can still re-watch it to this day.

Favorite book: The Storied Life of AJ Fickery by Gabrielle Zevin

To be honest, my favorite book or books change regularly – but this is one that continues to be my go-to. It’s a realistic and heartfelt story.

Favorite Food: Mexican – pretty much all of it.

I’m partial to Casa Las Palmas here in Port Clinton. The service and food are always good. :)

Haley

As a lifelong resident of PC, I spent a lot of time at Ida Rupp, and I was thrilled to start working here in 2011! I now do all of the cataloging for adult materials as well as working at the circulation desk. I even get to use a little bit of my Fine Art degree when I contribute to our marketing content.

When I’m not here, I spend a lot of my time at my second “job”: taking care of the residents at Horse Haven Stables in Marblehead. I have two horses of my own, and I currently compete in low-level dressage and eventing on my Quarter Horse “Magic”. I've been involved in the local horse community since age 10; including formerly volunteering as a 4-H advisor.

Aside from being a certified horse girl, I also love to travel and go to concerts. Even better if I can combine the two! I particularly love going out west, and want to visit every state at least once (& hopefully all of the National Parks too!). I have not gone overseas yet, but hope to in the not too distant future.

Watching: Outlander s7 & Deadwood s2

Reading: Animorphs – The Visitor (childhood favorite re-read!) Listening to: a review podcast about the movie Oppenheimer (which was fantastic, btw!)

• Favorite TV show: The Walking Dead I’ve been lucky enough to meet a few of the cast members (who were all very nice!), and have visited Senoia, GA twice (one of the main filming locations).
  

• Favorite movie: The Shawshank Redemption

A must watch anytime it happens to be on TV. I also enjoy visiting the Mansfield Reformatory where it was filmed, and have participated in two overnight “ghost hunts” there.

• Dream vacation: Egypt

Ancient Egypt has been an interest since I was a kid, and I would love to see the temples & other landmarks in person someday.

• Do you have any collections?

I have a small collection of different versions of Jack London's Call of the Wild. A few of my absolute favorite versions have come from our own book sale rack! I also have a large collection of old cameras including a lot of Polaroids that I actually still use.