At the Library

If you?ve been to the library during the evening hours in the last month or two, you might?ve noticed a new face behind the desk. That?d be me, Amanda Smith! I grew up in Washington, although my path to working at the library has been a bit of a zigzag.

After graduating high school, I left for Hesston College, a two-year Mennonite school just north of Wichita, Kansas. From there I transferred to The University of Iowa where I received a Bachelor of Arts in communication studies.

My next step was an exciting one - a move to San Francisco to do a year of Mennonite Voluntary Service. I worked at The Gubbio Project, a nonprofit in the heart of the city that serves the chronically homeless population. My role was a combination of direct service, office tasks and working with tech companies to try and find a bridge between the extreme wealth and the poverty.

During my stay in California, my niece was born 17 weeks prematurely, so once she came home from the hospital, I came too, and started my new role as "stay-at-home-aunt." We had a great run together, but now we?ve both moved on - she to daycare and me back to school for a teaching license, along with my new job at the library! I?ve enjoyed reconnecting with old friends and meeting all the new faces that come through our doors and I thank you all for welcoming me!