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North Plainfield Branch Welcomes Crystal Hooper
About Blog Post
Aug 15, 2023
by SCLSNJ
Share your journey to branch manager:
I graduated undergrad in 2008 - the height of the recession. I was lucky to get employed as a retail store manager. That's where I honed a lot of my customer service skills. Then, life took a turn. My husband got a promotion, and his company relocated us from Wisconsin to New Jersey. We chose North Plainfield to be our new hometown. I was lucky to keep my job and transferred store locations. The lifestyle changes kept coming, though, and we started a family. I can thank my kids for inspiring me to want to work in libraries as a career. We did storytime together at the North Plainfield branch and I really connected with the staff. When they had an opening, I applied and I got hired as part time in the circulation department. I really enjoyed it. When an opportunity to become a supervisor within the Library System popped up, I applied and got a position at the Somerville branch. The SCLSNJ staff were so supportive, and many staff encouraged me to get my master's degree for library studies. I applied and went to the University of Alabama online. I completed my studies in a year and a half, while also transitioning roles within the Library System twice as new promotional opportunities arose. Right after graduating is when I became a branch manager, and it's very full circle to come back and be the manager of the branch that I first started working in.
Why North Plainfield?
We've got a large population of people who are moving in, or are new to the country. Citizenship, outreach, helping people get a job, getting enrolled in school - those are all things that we try to specialize in at our branch. On a personal level, I've lived in the community with my family for over ten years. The library has helped my family learn about community events, resources, and organizations for years. I'm happy to share my insights with library users and love learning from them, too.
What is your favorite Library resource that you feel should no longer remain a secret?
We are always talking about Mango Languages at North Plainfield. Speaking different languages is very beneficial and much needed. I'm really excited too that we got Kanopy.
Recommendations from Crystal Hooper:
To read aloud with her children -
- “Charlotte's Web” by E. B. White
- The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
- Anything by Erik Larson, especially “The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America”