TriadCareers.com

About our participant

■ Name/age: Ronald Headen, 53

■ Occupation: Library associate

■ Employer: Greensboro Public Library

■ Years in field: 37

■ Salary range: $35,000-$40,000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics

■ Education: • Studied English at N.C. A&T (1976-77)• Studied communications at UNCG (1979-82), where he intends to return to complete the one semester he needs to earn his bachelor’s degree

■ Goal of the job: To offer materials and provide quality service to library patrons.

■ Tasks:• Work public service desk and select media for young adult and adult collections• Advise book clubs at Greensboro Public Library’s Hemphill branch• Review and order fiction and other suggested purchases• Create special programs as a member of the Adult Programming committee

How did you become involved in this line of work?

I was a library helper in my school libraries from the third through 10th grades. The school librarian at Lincoln Middle School suggested I should pursue it as a career. During my sophomore year at Page High School in 1972, the school librarian referred me to the Greensboro Public Library for a summer job. I have been employed here since that time.How do you go about selecting books for the various book clubs?

Book club coordinator and librarian Beth Sheffield at the central library (in downtown Greensboro) has put together a collection of titles used for library and area book clubs. I make choices for the Hemphill branch from that collection, based on the genre of the book club and suggestions from the club members.

What special projects have you worked on?

I put together film festivals relating to the book selected for “One City, One Book,” a biannual citywide reading. I also present occasional author visits and signings for the Hemphill book clubs.What advice do you have for people interested in pursuing a career such as yours?

I feel you must have a commitment to public service and enjoy what the library offers to its patrons. There are many different career choices within the library, and we are fortunate that we live in an area that has educational opportunities for anyone pursuing a library career. Volunteering in the library is also a good way to gain some valuable experience.

editor’s note: Answers are submitted by e-mail and have been edited for space and clarity.

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