Lauren Kalt

I am a Youth Library Assistant at Glendale Public Library, where I engage with my community and promote many kinds of literacy. I help orient people to the library and provide needed resources to patrons, whether that be by answering a reference question, assisting with programming, or telling patrons about relevant programs that we offer. I recently attained my Masters in Library and Information Science from Simmons University, with a concentration in Libraries and Librarianship. My studies focused primarily on public librarianship, with an eye toward inclusion and justice, teen and youth librarianship, and reader’s advisory. As a library worker, my goal is to promote literacy and learning in an inclusive and dynamic environment. I am passionate about reading and its potential to unlock worlds of imagination and opportunity for people of all ages and walks of life. I am especially interested in working with teen patrons, a historically underserved population, who deserve to be valued, respected, and encouraged to explore and grow on their own terms. At Northern Arizona University, I received my Bachelor's degree in English with honors, and I minored in Studio Art and French. I focused my English studies predominantly on creative writing, in addition to courses in grammar, linguistics, rhetoric, and literature. I have also taken courses on editing and publishing, and worked as fiction editor and copy editor at NAU's literary magazine The Tunnels. While at NAU, I worked as a peer writing instructor in the English department and as a writing tutor for the Honors College.