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Zachmann new on library staff, but is a familiar face [UPDATED]
Published 6:20am Monday, January 7, 2013 Updated 8:26am Monday, January 7, 2013It has been said that “if you do something you love, you will never work a day in your life,” and if that statement is true, Deborah Zachmann really doesn’t work at all.
A lifelong library lover, she recently took over the job as circulation library assistant, but one might just call her the face of the Fergus Falls Public Library. Zachmann meets and greets library-goers as they check out and return books and other items the library has to offer.
“I’m a total library nerd, but I have been a lifelong reader,” she said. “Libraries are so important to me. When I was in high school, I was in library club, and when I was in college, my work study job was in the library.”
While in college, Zachmann faced the decision of pursuing her passion for libraries or going into social work. She decided to become a social worker and worked in the field for nine years before calling it quits to work from her home with her husband glazing pottery.
Eventually, Zachmann’s husband switched from pottery to sculpting, a job that didn’t require Zachmann’s assistance, so she became a full-time volunteer.
As a volunteer, she once again found herself in libraries. She was a Friends of the Library board member, the co-chairperson of the Library Renewal Task Force, a board member of the Viking Library System and a volunteer at her daughter’s elementary school library.
Finally, Zachmann decided to further her education. She took online classes and earned her master’s degree in library science from the University of North Texas.
Upon graduating, Zachmann got a job at the Mildred Johnson library at North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton. When a comparable position became available at the Fergus Falls Public Library, she gladly stepped in.
For about five years, local library-goers have checked out and returned items from Emily Millard, but with a recent staff shift, Millard moved to the position of assistant librarian and Zachmann became the new face at the circulation desk.
“I love it,” Zachmann said. “It’s not like coming to work. It’s a total joy. I can’t wait to be here, and I can’t believe when it’s time for a break because it’s so much fun. You get a chance to interact with your friends in the community and acquaintances and make new friends too.”
Zachmann said her favorite part is seeing kids get enthusiastic about the library when they check out and return books.
“You see all these little kids barely able to lift up a stack of books over the counter, and they’re so excited,” she said. “They tell you all about the books they checked out, and then a few days later, they will bring the books back and run to the children’s section again.”
