'You Never Know Who Will Walk Through the Doors.'

This Q&A feature helps readers learn more about Mount Vernon-area residents working in our business community. This week’s Q&A profiles Cathy Dickstein, Librarian I,

Cathy, who has worked part-time at Sherwood Regional Library for more than 22 years, has lived with her family in the Mount Vernon community for 33 years. 

Cathy holds a B.A. from Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia, as well as a M.L.S. (Masters in Library Science) from Peabody College, now part of Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. Originally from Huntington, West Virginia, Cathy moved to Northern Virginia in 1977 and worked as a librarian at Gallaudet College [now Gallaudet University]. She met her husband at an Annandale church, got married in 1978, and then moved to the Mount Vernon area. Cathy and her husband have two children, ages 28 and 25, as well as a one-year-old granddaughter.

Cathy also spends time volunteering for local non-profit organizations, including her church, Mt. Vernon Presbyterian, where from 1994 until 2008, she was the treasurer. Cathy also has worked with her husband to cook meals for an area homeless shelter.

How did you become interested in your line of work?

Originally, I was working on an education degree. I was doing my student teaching and I realized I didn’t really like what I was doing at the time. I had a friend working in the school library and I would often go there … it was my escape. I realized that’s what I really wanted to do, and I’ve been doing it ever since.

How did your opportunity at Sherwood Library come up?

I started at the library as a volunteer for about two to three months and I loved it. They had a job opening, so I applied and I got the job. The rest is history.

What are your job responsibilities?

Mainly working at the library’s information desk and answering phone calls. I also help answer all sorts of questions. It varies from one customer to the next, depending on who walks in the door. I help customers find books, help with any problems that may occur on the Internet, assist with Microsoft Word and more. When I’m not at the desk, my main duty is collection maintenance and adult programming.

What’s one interesting aspect of your job?

You never know who is going to walk in the door, or what they are going to ask. It makes for great variety. Each new interaction can be totally different from the one before. For example, someone can come in and say they have a family member at a nearby hospital and that they will be here for awhile … he or she may need Internet access while staying here. Or,  someone might need help with book suggestions. Students may need help finding information for a science project … you just never know. That’s what makes my job so interesting: everybody has so many different needs at the library.

What do you enjoy most about your line of work?

Even though it has changed and evolved over the years, we always have a wonderful staff. It’s also a great change to see a lot of people I know from  the local community, friends, and acquaintances. The social aspect is nice.

What have you noticed about the abundance of change over the scope of the years in your career at the library?

Back when I first started, if someone needed information about the Peloponnesian War, for example, I would direct them to the reference section, pull out books and look in the Readers Guide to Periodical Literature. Everything is different now, and all of this information is available in online databases. Now, when you find what you need, there is instant information available, and the whole article is right there. I look at this advance in technology as a great improvement in the library system. It’s so much better because you can look at so many more resources all at once. It’s much more efficient.

What are your thoughts on the digitization of text in today’s reading world?

I think e-readers are great. We have a database that helps customers download eBooks so they don’t have to purchase everything. eBooks are also great for people with vision problems. It can help them by enlarging the text size. They are also useful when traveling because of the amount of storage.

Name some recent books you have read.

Lost in Shangri-La: A True Story of Survival, Adventure, and the Most Incredible Rescue Mission of World War II by Mitchell Zuckoff. I also read A Secret Kept by Tatiana de Rosnay. 

Where is your favorite place to go in the Mount Vernon area?

. I just love it over there. It’s such a jewel and so beautiful.

What are your hobbies?

Reading, gardening and sewing.

Do you have a favorite area restaurant?

We really like Mama's Kitchen.

If you weren’t in this business, what would you be doing?

This is my dream job. I have been so lucky to live in the Mount Vernon area and have a short commute, too. It’s been amazing to work with these wonderful people in my community. I can’t imagine doing anything else.