Steev Baker

Background

About Steev Baker

When people apply for library jobs, they usually say "I love reading." And that's true about myself-I loved reading as a kid and spent a lot of time in my rural libraries in Genoa City and Lake Geneva. Before I worked in libraries, I thought the job was mainly about collection management and maintenance (i.e. books). I've been a librarian for over 20 years now, and it's very obvious that this job is more about the people who use the library than about the stuff in the building. The books are secondary or maybe even further down the list. Working in a library means being ready and available every day to interact with anyone who walks through the door, to provide access to all of the services the library offers, and to treat them with love and kindness. Things I also do at my job are: collection development for music, programming for music, circulation staff management, website updates, some publicity and marketing, policy committee, strategic plan committee, and more. I am a "middle manager" here-the head of a department who manages 7-9 staff, buys supplies and makes calendars, works on policies and procedures. My favorite parts of the job involve creativity, problem solving, and helping people experience joy. The jobs I do outside of work include writing and performing songs, writing poetry and short stories, making zines, writing Dungeons and Dragons games, and family history/genealogy work.