Learning by doing
How Micah B. ‘28 is learning the ins and outs of library science at SAS.
This November, St. Andrew’s School is participating in a weekend of reading-inspired festivities at the biggest literary celebration in the Lone Star State. Book lovers can spot St. Andrew's at the Texas Book Festival this Saturday, November 8, in the Children's Activity Tent from 12:00-12:45 pm for an inspired storytime event. In addition to kickstarting a new partnership with the local literary institution, what’s exciting is that the person leading the SAS community event is current St. Andrew’s student, Micah B. ‘28.
“Micah came to me at the beginning of the school year because he is very interested in becoming a librarian and he wanted to help out in the library,” said Lower and Middle School Librarian, Caroline Turelier.
Under Ms. Turelier’s guidance and mentorship, throughout the fall semester semester Micah has learned the ins and outs of the Rollins Library and what it means to be a school librarian. So when Ms. Turelier recently met with the Texas Book Festival and the organization shared an opportunity for St. Andrew’s to host a storytime event, she immediately thought Micah would be the perfect person to lead the charge.
“I contacted Micah to see if he wanted to plan the activity,” she said. “He was up for the challenge, so he met with me and we planned out the books and activities.”
What’s more, Micah took his knowledge and spearheaded the effort to prepare for SAS’s inaugural Texas Book Festival event. Over the past several weeks, he has led and prepared Middle School volunteers to run the storytime and activity.
In the lead up to the Texas Book Festival this weekend, Caroline Turelier recently sat down with Micah to learn more about what sparked his passion for library science and their hopes for the future at St. Andrew’s and beyond.
Interview edited for clarity.
Q&A with Micah B. ‘28
What sparked your interest in library science?
MICAH: I’ve always really enjoyed reading and stories. I was a camp counselor for a while so I knew I wanted to work with people and kids. I knew I couldn’t be a teacher because I can’t wake up early haha. I’ve always loved literature so I knew I would enjoy it and then I would also get to work with kids, help people and help create a space for people. Libraries have always been a space for me.
What made you consider reaching out to Lower & Middle School Librarian, Caroline Turelier?
MICAH: Ashley Brandon was talking about college with me and she got me in touch with Ms. Turelier.
What do you hope to learn or gain from working alongside and learning from Ms. Turelier?
MICAH: I hope to gain experience and a bit more of the actual logistics that go into working in libraries.
As you began to work and help out at the Rollins Library, did anything surprise you?
MICAH: I helped out at the library throughout middle school with Ms. Whitaker, I have helped get multiple birds out of the library. What surprised me was the new layout of the library, it is much more open.
What are the top 3 aspects of working in a library that you have learned so far?
MICAH: Learning how to pull books, planning public programming, working kids in a different setting from the camp environment. Learning the logistics of working in a library.
What ways are you hoping to grow in the years ahead at St. Andrew’s School?
MICAH: I hope to grow at St. Andrew’s by taking classes that interest me and will be helpful in my continuing education and life as an adult. I’m in the select choir so I hope to be able to continue performing, I love performing as well. Performing also seems to be an aspect of working in public-facing jobs like librarianship so it will help me in my professional life too.
How are you hoping to connect with the greater Central Texas/Austin-area reading community?
MICAH: There is a volunteer program at the APL Central library that I am hoping to get into. I hope to apply in the Spring. It will involve shelving, working with teens and planning public events like what we’re planning for the Texas Book Festival.
How do you plan on pursuing library science beyond St. Andrew’s?
MICAH: I hope to be able to get my Masters in Library Science and my undergrad in Art History. Those two degrees together could open up a world of possibilities working in museums and libraries. Those two degrees I think will give me a platform to work in libraries or museums.
What is your favorite thing about the Rollins Library?
MICAH: I love the seasonal decorations in the library, how it changes throughout the year. My first year at St. Andrew’s I was so excited by the huge Christmas tree in the library.
What do you enjoy most about libraries in general?
MICAH: I love books and cozy nooks. Spots where you can relax and read, I love that libraries are spaces for communities to use for many activities, gathering, talking, and quiet reading.
Is there anything you haven’t shared already that you think the SAS community should know about?
MICAH: I think my advice would be that you don’t have to have everything figured out when you’re in high school. But, you can try to work it out and explore what you can . Try to get practical experience and then if you realize it’s not your thing, you still have time to try something else.
MICAH: I’ve always really enjoyed reading and stories. I was a camp counselor for a while so I knew I wanted to work with people and kids. I knew I couldn’t be a teacher because I can’t wake up early haha. I’ve always loved literature so I knew I would enjoy it and then I would also get to work with kids, help people and help create a space for people. Libraries have always been a space for me.
What made you consider reaching out to Lower & Middle School Librarian, Caroline Turelier?
MICAH: Ashley Brandon was talking about college with me and she got me in touch with Ms. Turelier.
What do you hope to learn or gain from working alongside and learning from Ms. Turelier?
MICAH: I hope to gain experience and a bit more of the actual logistics that go into working in libraries.
As you began to work and help out at the Rollins Library, did anything surprise you?
MICAH: I helped out at the library throughout middle school with Ms. Whitaker, I have helped get multiple birds out of the library. What surprised me was the new layout of the library, it is much more open.
What are the top 3 aspects of working in a library that you have learned so far?
MICAH: Learning how to pull books, planning public programming, working kids in a different setting from the camp environment. Learning the logistics of working in a library.
What ways are you hoping to grow in the years ahead at St. Andrew’s School?
MICAH: I hope to grow at St. Andrew’s by taking classes that interest me and will be helpful in my continuing education and life as an adult. I’m in the select choir so I hope to be able to continue performing, I love performing as well. Performing also seems to be an aspect of working in public-facing jobs like librarianship so it will help me in my professional life too.
How are you hoping to connect with the greater Central Texas/Austin-area reading community?
MICAH: There is a volunteer program at the APL Central library that I am hoping to get into. I hope to apply in the Spring. It will involve shelving, working with teens and planning public events like what we’re planning for the Texas Book Festival.
How do you plan on pursuing library science beyond St. Andrew’s?
MICAH: I hope to be able to get my Masters in Library Science and my undergrad in Art History. Those two degrees together could open up a world of possibilities working in museums and libraries. Those two degrees I think will give me a platform to work in libraries or museums.
What is your favorite thing about the Rollins Library?
MICAH: I love the seasonal decorations in the library, how it changes throughout the year. My first year at St. Andrew’s I was so excited by the huge Christmas tree in the library.
What do you enjoy most about libraries in general?
MICAH: I love books and cozy nooks. Spots where you can relax and read, I love that libraries are spaces for communities to use for many activities, gathering, talking, and quiet reading.
Is there anything you haven’t shared already that you think the SAS community should know about?
MICAH: I think my advice would be that you don’t have to have everything figured out when you’re in high school. But, you can try to work it out and explore what you can . Try to get practical experience and then if you realize it’s not your thing, you still have time to try something else.
