New Lennoxville Library coordinator
The Lennoxville Library has a new face behind the desk. Jennifer Harvey, Sherbrooke born and raised, has come back to her roots after living most of her adult life abroad and is ready to bring new life to the library.
“I wanted to come back to Sherbrooke,” said Harvey, whose early career allowed her to work in many places, even France. “I didn’t grow up in Lennoxville, but the library there was my childhood library. I have many fond memories. I wanted to come back to my roots”
Harvey had gone to high school at Bishops College School, but moved to Ontario to study at the University of Waterloo where she acquired a bachelor in environmental studies and a master’s in business, entrepreneurship and technology. She uses the skills obtained during her studies both at her new position at the library, which she has been occupying since mid-june, and as a contract lecturer at Bishop’s University.
She explained that the Bishop’s gig is only part-time. “If there’s a particular course where the teacher can’t be there, I apply, they review my application and conduct an interview, and then I sub-in,” she said. Harvey has also given a course at BU. “Last winter I gave a course in negotiations and conflict management. This coming fall semester I will be teaching innovation management.”
At the library, Harvey takes care of almost everything, from greeting librarygoers, to helping them find books, using the library database, stocking shelves and managing the inter-library logs. She also manages the art exhibits which appear in the library.
“Right now we have watercolor paintings by Hélène Breault Mayhew, who’s from around here. She has a solo expo going on until September 5,” said Harvey. “I’m going to be organizing others.”
She also has plans on improving the library by adding new technologies and finding new ways of functioning.
“I haven’t received board approval yet,” she said. “but one of the things I’m working on is finding new ways to generate revenue. We use grants and revenue from our DVD rentals and book sales, but I’m trying to find others.”
Harvey has also noticed certain trends when it comes to library attendance. “I’ve only been here a few weeks so I can’t speak on the popularity of the Lennoxville Library in particular, but I have noticed that all libraries tend to attract children and elders out of any other group.” She added that this may be because teenagers and young adults keep to their schools’ libraries. Whatever the case, getting new people to go to the Lennoxville library is “exactly what I’m working on.”
“I never found a place quite like home,” said Harvey. “I’m happy here.”