CATHY FRANK

Many years ago, I fell in love with books. It was a wonderful relationship. With books, I could find new worlds, new adventures, and new people. Fiction was my love, and libraries were wonderful places to visit and explore.

In high school, my history teacher offered us a deal: if we could answer a certain number of trivia questions, he would add an extra .5 to our grade point average. .5 points! That was a tremendous bonus – far too tempting not to pursue! The questions would be offered one a day, due the following day. As you can imagine, I could be found in the school library and the public library every day for the next two weeks, searching for those answers. I discovered that I actually enjoyed the hunt, and that the librarians who helped me enjoyed it too.

When thinking about possible careers, teaching had always been an obvious choice, but that high school activity showed me that librarianship would be even better. As a librarian, I could share my love of literature across many different age levels, and I could also teach all those wonderful research skills that help students not just learn the answers, but learn how to find the answers.

A degree in Library Science Education (University of MD) led to full-time jobs in schools, and I happily worked part time in the public library as well. Those two worlds allowed me to work with both students and adults, sharing literature and helping people of many different age levels – and enjoying it all. A Master’s degree in Library Science cemented my relationship with this profession.

The entrance of computers into my world was a gradual one, but a welcome one. They are marvelous tools in so many ways! They offer recreation, writing help, organizing help; the Internet provides incredible resources for research and knowledge. Using computers, and learning to use them wisely, is just a natural extension of librarianship, and one that I willingly and happily embrace.

I’ve been at ECS for over 20 years. Why? I love my job, and I love the school. The students, teachers, and parents are wonderful, and the location is beautiful. I can work with people, especially children. I can share my love of books and my love of computers, and I can make a difference. Mrs. Frank is the 2011 recipient of the ECS Outstanding Faculty Award.