UKIAH’S NEWEST LIBRARIAN PERFECT FOR THE POSITION
In small towns like Ukiah, new faces are a big deal. Ukiah is a very welcoming community, and it gladly welcomes the new children’s librarian at the Ukiah Public Library, Samantha White.
Bubbly, talkative, and helpful, White is perfect for the position. Her passion for the job simply radiates fromher smile; it is clear howmuch it means to her. “I do really well with kids, which I really think is just because I’m a big kid myself,” she laughs.
She enjoys knitting, running, yoga, and of course, reading. She prefers historical fiction, and her favorite author is Sarah Waters.
White was hired for the job in September and moved to Ukiah all the way from Vermont. In fact, she has lived all over the country.
Born in Sacramento, White was never sure of her purpose growing up.
“When I was in high school, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do,” she remembers.
In the end, she decided to stay close to home and attend Sacramento State University, where she initially sought a degree working with children. She changed her major, however, and received a bachelor’s degree in history.
While taking a class analyzing old documents, White realized she also held a passion for archives. Following this newfound interest, she moved north to Portland, attending Emporia State University and acquiring amaster’s degree in library and informational science with a concentration in archives. She worked with archives in Oregon for a while, but when a records analyst in Vermont offered her a job, she took a leap of faith.
At first, she was nervous to move such a far distance, but she wanted an adventure, and she
knew this was an opportunity that she may never have again. She lived in Vermont working as a records analyst for a couple of years, but she soon realized working with documents was a rather lonely profession.
“I was like, I miss California,” White recounts. “I started applying for public library jobs again.”
Soon, the Ukiah Public Library contacted White, and she scored an interview for the children’s librarian job. She had to sing a couple of songs and host a storytime. She chose to read The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein, her favorite children’s book. The interview went well, and she was hired. “I started out working with kids, and now it’s like a full circle,” White chuckles.
So far, White absolutely adores the job. She has only been in Ukiah for around four months, but she has already expanded the children’s library department, and she has lots of plans for the future.
One of the first changes she made was to reinstitute Baby Time, a weekly event hosted by the library. On Wednesdays, White lays out toys for the toddlers and provides a safe, encouraging environment. It is not just for the babies, however; Baby Time creates a place for parents to meet and discuss the struggles and beauties of parenting. They are able to trade advice, make new connections, and watch their children grow up together.
“I am working here for the children, but also I’m here for the parents,” she says. “It’s so good to see the parents are getting something out of it.”
White is also responsible for Lego Hour on Tuesday, where kids have the chance to make creations and have their pictures displayed in the library. Another program, A Child, a Dog, and a Good Book, lets children read to therapy dogs and develops their literacy confidence. Every third Thursday, White also hosts a movie night.
In February, there will be a Valentine’s Day celebration and the Lunar New Year celebration. These events are going to have components of both reading and crafting, creating a balance between learning and having fun.
White is not going to stop there; she has numerous ideas and plans for the upcoming months. The library will soon be hosting Little Tot’s Clothing Swap, where families will be able to gather for a storytime. Then, they will have the opportunity to swap lightly used clothes. Like Baby Time, White hopes parents will take advantage of this resource as well.
Even farther out, White wants to host programs focused on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). She is excited for the future of the children’s library and knows that Ukiah will love what is coming.
“We are such a closeknit community,” she explains. “It’s really, really good to have an information resource.”
White understands the importance of a public library in a small town, from providing a free way for people to communicate to hosting fun events for the children. Her main goal is to be there for the families. When children say hello to her in public or parents display their appreciation for her, it warms her heart; she finds great happiness in knowing she makes a positive impact in the lives of these kids.
“I really love that I’m building relationships,” she smiles. “I’m gonna be here a long time.”
For more information on upcoming library events or to meet White, come to the Ukiah Public Library on N. Main St. There are events going on almost every day, and they have something for everyone.