Today we’d like to introduce you to Leslie Koller
Hi Leslie, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
When I was a little girl, the library was my favorite place to visit. I would do my homework there and read encyclopedia entries for fun. I was in awe of the librarian and considered her job to be THE dream job. When I graduated college, I worked in publishing at Loyola Press in Chicago in their trade books division. I loved being a proofreader and a copyeditor and seeing the books from the first drafts to the final products.
Over the years, I worked in a few different industries, but it always came back to the books and my love of the library. In 2013, I left a job and spent a few months trying to figure out what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. I told my husband that my dream job was to be a librarian. He told me to go for it! I got a part-time job at the Dorchester County Library and started library school the next year. I graduated with my Master of Library and Information Science in 2016 and quickly climbed the ladder in my organization. I have now worked at the Dorchester County Library for 11 years and have been the Branch Manager for 4 years. While the books are what led me here, the people are what keep me here.
In 2019, my library system began partnering with The Timrod Library. The Timrod is one of two remaining subscription libraries in South Carolina, and is over 100 years old. I fell in love with The Timrod and began serving on the board in 2020. Today, I spend much of my free time helping The Timrod to succeed and grow in every way possible.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The biggest struggle I faced was not figuring out what I really wanted to do until I was in my mid-thirties. Adults ask children all the time what they want to be when they grow up, but they really should be asking other adults. We’re all just doing our best while trying to figure out where we fit.
I knew I loved working with books, but when I left publishing to move across the country, the jobs didn’t follow. I enjoyed helping people, and tried my hand at criminal justice, but I was left burnt out.
I finally found the place where both of these passions intersected and where my strengths lie.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
In my work with The Timrod Library, I’ve found so many new opportunities and aspects of librarianship to get involved in. The Timrod runs very differently than the public library. While its overall mission is the same (literacy), the processes and programming are very different. Additionally, because the Timrod does not receive government funding, all money has to be raised through membership and/or fundraising.
I currently serve as Board President for The Timrod Library, and I’ve tried to take on the task of updating some of the administrative practices and policies. The library has run for over 100 years without me, but I would really like to leave some updated, solid footing behind. My goal is to help the library be successful for another 100 years.
I know that I will never have a room or building named after me, but every little success that we have makes me feel like I’ve truly contributed in The Timrod’s success. This past year, a team of board members and I applied for a large grant through the Saul Alexander Foundation, and we were selected! With these funds, we will be creating an internship program at The Timrod to help us with those updated processes and to bring in a new generation of patrons and leaders.
I struggle a little with imposter syndrome, but I’m often told that I’m a good leader. I’m grateful for these comments, because this is the area that I spend the most of my focus on. I recognize that everyone is different. We all come to a meeting or a conversation with different intentions and expectations. I like to communicate those as often as possible so that no one leaves feeling disappointed. If you are spending time working at a library (or anywhere) or volunteering your personal time there, it should be as rewarding as possible.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
I’ve learned to be discretionary in what information I gather from others. If I wouldn’t take advice from you, I won’t accept criticism from you. I recognize that some of what we learn from others is not helpful. I can select which pieces of information fit my leadership style and leave behind the ones that I do not agree with. I can become the person I want to be in my personal life and in my professional life if I am intentional with my choices.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thetimrodlibrary.org
- Instagram: thetimrodlibrary
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064623732258
