When children’s librarian Lisa Prentiss starts designing an event for the Staatsburg Library, she undertakes extensive research. She carefully translates ideas into real-world scenarios. She adds icebreakers and eases kids into the activity. Her outlines for each event are meticulous. In the end, the kids come back to the library wanting more, and Prentiss has a smile on her face. This year, her first place award in Chronogram‘s Readers’ Choice Awards are put a smile on her face.
Prentiss started working at the Staatsburg Library over 20 years ago, but her background lies in social work. She sees each child as their own individual, and is happy to provide what they want. A genuine desire to make every child feel accepted is the driving force behind her programming.
“I want kids that come into the library, whether they’re really little kids or really big kids, to feel like this is a safe place,” says Prentiss. “It’s a place that will affirm and help you.”
In her activities, Prentiss makes sure that each child’s distinct needs are accommodated. If she knows a child doesn’t like loud noises, she’ll make a conscious effort to provide a quiet space. If a child has issues with social skills, Prentiss will work harder to make them feel included.
Prentiss’s work hinges on the support she receives from her fellow librarians at Staatsburg. She feels lucky in that the staff is tight-knit, cheering on each of her ideas, no matter how crazy she thinks they are— think escape rooms, scavenger hunts, and intense book-themed trivia competitions.
Prentiss isn’t presumptuous enough to assume what impact she has on children; she thinks the kids themselves should be asked, not her. But no matter what, she brings a positive attitude to every event she hosts, and she hopes that positivity will spread.
“The thing about our library that I really like is people come in just to chat. They come in and it’s a place where they can always have a friendly face, somebody who will listen, somebody that, if they say a need, we’ll try and help them meet that need,” says Prentiss. “We always want libraries to remain relevant.”
