Welcome back to Behind the Stacks. We hope our Westies have been staying warm as we navigate this wintery weather. Before February arrives, we’d like to remind everyone of our monthly “Take and Make” crafts that are available on a first come first serve basis, while supplies last. Stop by the library early in the month to take part in these fun, take-home activities. In February, Ora Mason will have a Rustic Lavender Sugar Scrub craft kit available for adults, as well as DIY Pinwheels for kids and teens. Children are also invited to celebrate Black History Month with Take and Make Peace bracelets at the Main Library, and by helping create a community quilt at Ora Mason inspired by the famous quilts of Gee’s Bend, Alabama. Created by African American women using fabric from everyday life, these quilts are an important part of Black history and are known for their bold colors, patterns, and storytelling. Finished squares will be added to Ora Mason’s community quilt display. For the adults, we will be having an Open Mic Poetry Lounge hosted by poet Sister Deborah Elmore. Join us for an evening of reading and listening to her original poetry, and feel free to share your own poetry as well.
Now it’s time to meet another one of our wonderful WHPL staff members: Shane Maher. Shane is the Reference Associate for our library. He works in our busy Reference Department helping with computer and technology questions, sending scans and faxes, conducting research for reference queries, and navigating local history documents being preserved in our archives.
Tell us about yourself: My name is Shane, I am 28 years old and I work at the West Haven Public Library as a Reference Associate. I have worked here since May of 2023, and while I am not originally from West Haven, I have lived in the Greater New Haven area my entire life. My grandparents came to the United States from Abruzzo, Italy which explains my semi-regular deliveries of homemade focaccia to my coworkers. I like to go on long drives, listen to power metal, and I think sausage should be shredded on pizza, not sliced.
How did you get into library work? After eight years of working in retail I had very strong skills working with the public, but a strong desire to create a positive impact. I applied for several libraries and got really hooked on the West Haven Library because it’s a community I know well and I loved how many services were offered.
What is your favorite thing about working in libraries? The best part of working specifically at the West Haven Library is honestly the staff. Never in my career have I ever felt so supported by every department, not to mention all the after-work outings where I’ve gotten to know so many great people.
What types of books do you like to read? I always try to read one fiction and one nonfiction, and it’s usually something to do with history and something fantasy. Right now I’m reading “Congo: The Epic History of a People” and “The Stupidest Angel”.
Have you had any fun or interesting past jobs? I was a janitor for about three years which was pretty fun once you get over the germs. I used to take naps in hidden spots no one knew about in between tasks.
Do you have any hidden (or not so hidden) talents? I trained in Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) for seven years and am actually pretty talented with a sword. Eventually the ladies will notice, I’m sure of it.
What is the best moment in your career/life? I have spent the last two and a half years working on organizing and cataloguing our archives here at the WHPL. Just recently, a local author came by asking for information that he had exhausted every search of, but thanks to my knowledge of the archives I was able to find exactly what he needed for his book and honestly, that felt great.
Do you have any pets? I have a cat, she is the bane of my existence and I adore her.
Do you have any hobbies? I am an avid reader and for most of my life have been pretty involved in martial arts which is something I would love to get back into when life settles down a bit.
What is a fun or unusual fact about yourself? I have a tattoo of Luke Skywalker’s lightsaber that I got to cover up some burn scars I received from a cooking accident and then I got a new scar over that tattoo from a box cutter slip up. I think that summarizes me very well.
What are your favorite TV shows or movies? I have recently been watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer and its spin-off Angel because for some reason all of my friends are obsessed with those shows so I need to be caught up before the reboot comes out. As for movies, I love the Antonio Banderas Zorro films.
What is your favorite place to travel to or the place you wish you could visit the most? There is a nature preserve a mile from my home that I have been hiking at since I was in high school. It is a very special place for me.
Do you have any bucket list items? I would like to visit as many royal palaces in the world as I can before I die. I am currently at zero.
What is your favorite thing to cook or eat? I cook a mean mac and cheese and I am mean until I eat mac and cheese.
What is your favorite quote? “To live having believed in nothing is a fate worse than death,” – Joan of Arc