Tessa Fox Reads
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Penning a brand new life chapter (and website)!

9/30/2014

1 Comment

 
When I was in college (you know, earlier this year) people would ask what I was doing after graduation and I, like most people, wasn’t exactly sure. One thing I did know was there was no way in hell I was going to go back to school for another degree. I was burned out, ready to “be an adult” and I guess I just couldn’t wait to start paying back those pesky student loans.

Fast-forward to now, four months out of college, and I know what I want to do: go back for my master’s.

I’ve always loved reading, and I’ve always loved writing. When I started my undergrad at Marquette University, I thought I was going be a world-changing journalist. Senior year, I realized I would rather get into book publishing. During my two incredible months of interning at Scholastic in New York this summer, I’ve changed my mind again – or rather, I went back to the original idea I had at age eight.

When I was in third grade, I organized my entire larger-than-normal collection of children’s books according to the Dewey Decimal System – or at least what I considered that to be. (Really, ask my mom). I haven’t the faintest idea why I did it, but I can still remember cutting out crooked rectangular pieces of white paper, scribbling down the first three letters of an author’s last name and slapping it on the spine of a book with Scotch tape.

I never seriously considered turning my passion for reading, thirst for information and at times obsessive-compulsive organizational skills into a career … until a few months ago. Again, you might ask why, and again I will tell you I have no clue.

Perhaps the seed got planted in my head when I was at Trader Joe’s and the cashier told me I “looked like a librarian,” (Compliment taken). Or maybe it was rekindling my love for children’s books while working at a great company like Scholastic immediately after college. Whatever the reason, I can’t help but feel like deep down being a librarian is what I’ve always wanted to do. It just took me a while to realize it.

I’ve always loved kids, and I think instilling an early love and appreciation for reading is one of the most important things an adult can do for a child. I had great parents and teachers who gave me that gift, and it will forever be the best one I received.

Even though I always had exceptionally positive relationships with my teachers, I never felt the desire to be one. I still don’t, and I recently realized something extremely important: First you learn to read, and then you read to learn.

I don’t want to teach kids how to read, but I want to help them cultivate it as a passion and hobby. I want to help them realize all of the places reading can take a person. What I want to do for kids is what my parents and teachers did for me: Make me a bookworm, a word nerd and a lifelong seeker of information.

I recently received my acceptance letter to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's Masters of Library and Information Science program where I will begin getting my master’s degree in January, and I can't wait to get started.

Until then, I will be focusing my energy on this literary and library-related website, looking for paid and volunteer positions at local libraries and conducting informational interviews with public librarians.

Here’s to the next chapter – both literal and figurative.

And don’t worry; the writer in me is still just as passionate as the reader. I plan to continue working toward my dream of becoming a published author (either children’s books or otherwise) during my downtime. You won’t just see my face in the library one day – you’ll see my name on the shelves as well.
1 Comment
Sharon Wilkins
9/30/2014 09:40:45 am

I'm so happy for you!! I am happy to read that you are beginning your next chapter in life and following your destinity. I'm excited to see this website unfold and can't wait to read more!
I also want to get into children's books, maybe we can do one together?! I'll be your illustrator:)
Keep doing what your doing!!
Peace and love,
Sharon

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    Author

    Tessa Fox is the Early Literacy Librarian at the Kenosha Public Library. After working in the journalism and publishing fields, Tessa decided to dedicate her life to books and public librarianship, and went back to school to get her Master's in Library and Information Science from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where she graduated in December 2016. Tessa has been working in public libraries since 2014. Disclaimer: The views expressed here are mine alone and do not reflect those of my employer.


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