- January 11th, 2007, 12:23 pm
#52327
http://www.thedanielislandnews.com/artm ... e_1745.php
What I Do: Chris Johnston, librarian
By TOM RATZLOFF
Jan 11, 2007, 13:58
Librarian Chris Johnston will manage the Daniel Island branch library when it opens later this year.
Chris Johnston has an "indoor voice" that’s perfect for his profession.
He’s a librarian.
And later this year, the soft-spoken Charleston native will be branch manager of Daniel Island’s Berkeley County Library.
"I’m really excited," said Johnston, 28. "I know it’s really a unique honor and privilege for me and I look forward to helping the community and island. It’s the public service aspect that I find really rewarding."
His route to becoming a librarian was circuitous. Johnston graduated from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va. with a B.S. in biology.
"Generations of women in my family were nurses and I was always torn about my career choice because of that influence. When I declared my biology major, I thought it would lead to pre-med," he said. "But my minor was in English where I studied literature. My love of reading was always there and, while I was trying to find my niche, I decided to pursue a master’s degree in English through a joint program offered by the College of Charleston and The Citadel."
Changing career paths seems to be a family trait, according to Johnston.
"One of my sisters went to law school, passed the South Carolina bar, and is now teaching fifth-grade," he said. "My family has been pulling for me all along. They just want me to find something I can be passionate about."
After obtaining his master’s degree in 2002, Johnston decided to major in library science through a distance-learning program offered by the University of South Carolina. During that time, he volunteered for a year with the Charleston County library system and did freelance work with the Charleston Library Society. He was hired by the Berkeley County library system two years ago and completed his library science degree in 2005.
Johnston found more than a career in the book stacks; he found a wife, Charlotte, who is a librarian at the Summerville branch in Dorchester County. They were married last month.
Johnston has worked at the Goose Creek, Hanahan and Moncks Corner libraries during the past two years.
"I’ve enjoyed every library I’ve worked at, especially getting to know the regular patrons," he said. "You start to understand their personal interests and what they want to read."
Johnston said there have been many technological changes in libraries since he’s entered the profession.
"Wikis and blogs are really coming to the forefront," he said. "But we’re still using print resources and there will always be a place for them. The whole atmosphere is really exciting."
As he prepares to launch the Daniel Island branch, Johnston is trying to establish a strong core collection that can be enhanced as he learns local reading tastes and interests. Meanwhile, he confesses that he drives by the new building occasionally to see how construction is proceeding.
"I’m really excited and can’t wait for it to open," he said.
- By olldflame