Meet our Librarian: Mrs. Gorski
Photo from Shannon O’Dwyer.
Maya Bell
Mrs. Gorski has long been a huge part of Hamilton High School. The library, for many people, serves as a place to study, meet, or just relax. In this interview with the Charger Press, we get to know more about Hamilton High School’s librarian.
Why did you become a librarian?
I decided to become a librarian when I was working as a fifth grade teacher in Milwaukee Public Schools. The librarian at the school was really dynamic and I was already starting to think about what I wanted to get my master’s degree in. She really encouraged me to be a librarian, and so that's what I did.
Something funny to add, as an adult–sometime in my 30's–I was going through and tossing out my childhood papers and "keepsakes" and one of the letters was an assignment from fifth grade. "Where will you be in 10 years?” And on the piece of paper I wrote I would become a librarian. I went to school to become an elementary teacher and had absolutely no memory of ever wanting to be a librarian!
How did you get involved in other activities?
This is my 17th year in the district. I started a book club my very first year which is called “A Novel Idea;” it's been going great ever since then. I joined Mrs. Swanson to be a co-advisor for the National Honor Society about 6 years ago. I've also been advising Battle of the Books for about 5 years.
Do you think there is a connection between the larger community and the library?
There are many ways we work with the school community and larger community:
I work with all the district librarians. Between the schools we promote inter-library loans for materials from other schools or at Pauline Haass Public Library. I also post the teen programs they host throughout the year.
Having a role as librarian and NHS advisor has allowed me to be in contact with many people in the district, Sussex community, and other non-profit organizations where our students have volunteered. So the library is also a touch point for many other things.
In terms of the Hamilton High School community–The birthday cards that are delivered to students and staff are prepped in the library. NHS students, students in Ms. Wainio's advisement,, and also many football players have helped make birthday cards this year.
What is your favorite part of being a librarian?
Working with students and building relationships with students and staff. Helping students with problem solving, developing curiosity and especially helping students find a good book to read. It’s rewarding when you are working with students on research or helping them find a book and they have that “ah-ha” moment or they come back and say "Wow, this was a great book.” Every day is different, and I love that about my job. Of course- I also love to read!
What is the process of becoming a library specialist?
There are two tracks for certification in the state of Wisconsin. If you want a Masters of Library and Information Science, first you need an undergrad degree in education. You need 36 credits to get a Masters of Library and Information Science. Or you can get an undergraduate degree with an emphasis in school libraries just to get the state certification. By pursuing the masters degree (36 credits), that gives you the opportunity to work in a public library or a college library.
Fun fact: Mrs. Gorski works at MATC as a librarian.
How has the increase in technology changed the library?
Card catalog. Photo from Marshfield.
When I started here, we had maybe 10 computers and a card catalog. When you would come into the library you would say, “I’m looking for this fiction book called The Future of Us” and you would have to go to the card catalog drawers, find the fiction label, and then pull out the drawer and look up the book by title or author. The same with the subject area as well. To have everything online is huge, and when I started that was just beginning at the high school. There was a new system within a year and everything became a little more similar to what it is now.
Computer cart used by the library. Photo from Mrs. Gorski.
There’s been tremendous growth that we've experienced here. Like I said, we had 10 computers in the library; later on we had a computer cart we called a "cow cart". (Ask Mr. Roth about the original cow cart). That was a big deal and everyone started clamoring for it because we only had one. Later on we had 15 carts that rolled out of the library every morning and were passed between classes every block. Ask any teacher who was here a few years ago— it was a nightmare. At the end of the day, those 15 carts would roll into the library and you had to check if every computer had the cord plugged in before we plugged the cart into the wall. It was only a couple of years ago that we went one to one [with each student having a Chromebook].
What is the hardest part of your job?
I think the most challenging piece of my job is the management piece of it. I have a long to-do list; I would like to revise the libguide (the library site). I would like to shift the fiction collection to where the non-fiction collection is and there is never enough time to do that. I think a lot of teachers would say the same thing that not having enough time in the day is the biggest challenge.
What do you think the importance of the library is?
Providing a welcoming and safe space for students. Providing a diverse collection of books whether text copies or audio or ebooks on Sora and an abundance of digital resources for students and staff. Also having collaborative spaces for students to work.
If you had to choose a different job, what would you choose and why?
I think I would still want to be tied to the library in some way, but if I had to choose a completely different job I probably would do event planning, and I also love going to antique/vintage markets- especially the summer ones outdoors. So I'd love to do something fun with design and antiques!
