ALSC Profile
Celebrating colleagues with 25 years or more years of ALSC membership
Kristi Miller
Manager of Youth & Teen Services
Westmont Public Library
Westmont, Illinois
ALSC Membership: 25 years
Where did you attend library school?
Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey
What was your very first library position?
I was a library assistant in the Children's Department of Fanwood Memorial Library in Fanwood, New Jersey right out of college. After working there full-time for a year, I decided to pursue librarianship as my career. I went to Rutgers to earn my MLS while I worked full-time at the library. And, I'm still great friends with that very first supervisor - Glynis Brookens - who now works at my hometown library in Metuchen, New Jersey!
What do you love most about your current job?
I love being in a small-medium sized library where I can still be a front-line Librarian in addition to managing a department. Serving children from birth - grade 12 is awesome! Westmont is a wonderful community, and we have passionate staff and a supportive administration and board. The work culture is so positive, it inspires us all to keep learning and trying new things.
What do you remember about your favorite teacher?
My 4th grade teacher, Mrs. Bertrand, read aloud to us from a chapter book every day!
What's your favorite book of all time?
Can a librarian choose just one book? I'm a big Harry Potter fan, and Elephant & Piggie are fabulous, but Winnie-the-Pooh and The House at Pooh Corner are my all-time favorites. They resonate with me as an adult as much as they did when I was a child.
What is your favorite family tradition?
The Miller family reunion every 4th of July at my family's lake home in Green Pond, New Jersey. My daughter and her cousins are the 4th generation to enjoy this long tradition. Lazy days at the lake or the shore are the best!
Do you have any pets?
We currently have two cats - Freya & Loki - and a few fish. We have also fostered a couple dogs, but the cats didn't enjoy that as much as the people did!
Who is your favorite superhero?
My husband is pretty awesome, but my favorite superhero is my daughter. She is an honors student and a talented gymnast whose strength, passion, and discipline amaze me, but it's her kindness that makes me proud.