Young writer launches column: "What it Takes"

Editor's Note: New Rockford-Sheyenne third grader Oakley Brazil is embarking on a new adventure as a newspaper writer. In his monthly series, "What it takes," Brazil will interview local workers to better understand what it takes to work in various jobs.

Kids are always asked 'what do you want to be when you grow up?' but we don't really know what kinds of jobs there are. The goal of this column is to give children (and other adults) the chance to learn what it takes to do common jobs such as a dentist, photographer, teacher and this week- librarian.

This month I interviewed Susie Sharp, who is the librarian in New Rockford. She began working at the Eddy-New Rockford Library in 2007, and she loves to read books.

On a daily basis Susie is busy checking books in and out, and re-shelving books. She also orders new books and enters them into the computer.

In the library, all fiction books are arranged in alphabetical order by the last name of the author. They are also separated out into adult, young adult, juvenile and children's books. Nonfiction books are shelved by the Dewey Decimal System, which is a library classification that has been used since 1876.

I did an internet search to find out what skills you need to run a library. The American Library Association lists skills such as good communication, positive attitude and good computer skills. Librarians should also have knowledge of library materials and should be very creative.

In most cases, to be a librarian you need a master's degree, but sometimes in small towns you can luckily get the job because of your love of books.

When I asked Susie what she liked about her work, she said "Helping people and turning them on to new books."

I also asked her what was her favorite book when she was younger. She said, "Ralph's Mouse" by Beverly Cleary. I have never read that one. Maybe I should check it out!