Posted on May 8, 2018 at 2:44 PM by Michael Lang
Name: Mary Boller
Job Title: Youth, School, & Talking Books Consultant
Job Duties: I work closely with patrons to assist them with book choices, take their book, author or series requests, create and distribute Talking Book Kits to nursing and care facilities, assist patrons trouble shooting equipment, set-up and visit new patrons to help get them started on the Talking Books program. I present at county health fairs and attend local library events to promote the Talking Books program.
Years with Talking Books: 8 years
Hometown: Cambridge, NY
Have you ever faked reading a book?
No, but for my Masters of Library Science degree, since I was already working two jobs, I did speed read quite a few young adult books in my Children’s Literature course. Promise not to tell my professor. I still got an A in that course!
Favorite library memory?
Having children sitting so close to me during storytime that I couldn’t move and hugging me after I shared a great book with them when I was school librarian at JL Lyon Elementary in Magnolia, Texas.
First book you remember reading on your own?
Father Bear Comes Home by Else Holmelund Minarik and illustrated by Maurice Sendak. I received it from a first-grade class book order. It was cherished and read until the pages fell out.
If you could have any famous person narrate any books, who would it be, which book & why?
I would have Sean Connery narrate Twas the Night Before Christmas, I love his voice and that is my favorite Christmas childhood book memory with my family.
What do you find most interesting/rewarding about working at Talking Books?
The most rewarding part of my job are the people I serve. They are not only my patrons, but my dear friends. Serving them makes my life richer!
Farthest you’ve ever been from Kansas? Cutler, Maine