Decades of Experience: How Four Librarians Have Grown With the Library

March is Women’s History Month, and this year’s theme is “Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future.” According to the National Women’s History Alliance, the theme highlights ideas like financial sustainability, community resilience, leadership succession and intergenerational equity. Those are all qualities that can be seen in the work of our librarians. For generations, libraries have been places where people can explore, learn, create and connect. Behind those experiences are the dedicated people who make our vision and mission possible. Today we’re speaking with four of Baltimore County Public Library’s longest-tenured female librarians about the evolution of the profession and libraries during their years in the stacks. 

Peggy Krastel (Cockeysville Branch), Stephanie Seipp (Cockeysville Branch), Jennifer Riley (Perry Hall Branch) and Chris Curreri (Essex Branch) have spent a combined 150 years working at Baltimore County Public Library, helping generations of lifelong learners feel welcomed in our branches.  

Question: What are some things that have changed since you started?

Peggy: Story times have changed. It used to be 3- to 5-year-olds, and they had to be registered the week before. There were no parents, just you and the kids.
Chris: I preferred just the kids, honestly.
Jennifer: And the registration—it was strictly phone calls. There were like six to seven people answering phones and marking the sheet because we only had a certain number of kids that could come to the story time. It was a madhouse! I was glad when it went online.
Stephanie: Well, the computers have helped. I remember providing reference services without really using computers and just searching everything in book form. Everything was reference books. It was fun hunting and searching. All kinds of odds and ends you could look up because people would ask all kinds of questions.
Jennifer: I think changes have been good and necessary to keep up with the times. So, I think we need to change to better the library and better ourselves. 

Question: What has stayed the same?

Jennifer: Our customer service. I think we really strive to give that to coworkers as well as customers. Customer service has stayed the same through it all.
Stephanie: I totally agree. Internal and external customer service has always been important. Its importance has always been emphasized, and I think that has stayed the same for many years. That's why I enjoy being at Baltimore County Public Library—the joy that I get from doing this job and working with the public. Plus, being surrounded by people who also like to work with the public.
Peggy: It’s your tribe. You all have each other's backs.  

Question: What do you like most about being a librarian?

Peggy: I like the gratitude the customers show us. They are always so thankful.
Stephanie: The fact that we’re able to serve customers from birth all the way through seniors and everyone in between. And they give us so much joy.
Chris: Our regulars come in and look forward to seeing us. It’s a nice feeling to have those relationships with people. 

Learn more about their favorite parts of the job, their role models and advice for young librarians on our YouTube page.