Staff Spotlight: Sarah Myers

Sarah Myers joined the OPL team in 2018 as a part-time library aide at W. Dale Clark Main Library. She worked there until March 2020, at which time she was promoted to a clerk position at W. Clarke Swanson Branch. Shortly thereafter, the COVID pandemic forced libraries to close and furlough part-time employees. Myers was undeterred by this setback, and returned to OPL as a clerk at Bess Johnson Elkhorn Branch in May 2021. She worked there until she received another promotion in January 2022 to a specialist position at A.V. Sorensen Branch.

In her short time with OPL, Myers has already experienced a lot of growth in her library career, which suits her well, as she sees herself staying on at OPL for the long haul.

“When I first started working for a public library in college, I realized that this was what I wanted to do with the rest of my life,” said Myers. Though Myers spent time as a young adult working in the school library where her mother taught, she never really considered libraries as a career. After exploring a variety of jobs, she realized that she wanted to pursue working in an area where she could offer a service to the community and give back.

She enjoys connecting with the community through collections and displays, and being part of a positive force in the neighborhood that people can trust. Myers describes everyday on the job as an exercise in creative problem-solving and trying to figure out the “magic click” of a solution that helps people with what they need. “I like people. I like books. I really love my job. That’s me in a nutshell,” Myers said.

Myers has goals of becoming a librarian in the future, but wants to savor each step along the way toward that goal.

“Sarah is genuinely excited to learn everything she can about all areas of librarianship, and constantly impresses me with the thoughtfulness, creativity and organization she brings to her work,” said Millard Branch Manager Autumn Hill. “I know our library users are in great hands when Sarah is helping them.”