By: Donna Clack-MacMurchy
In the ninth installment of our Meet Our Staff Series, we’re going to introduce you to Program Assistant, Donna.
Tell us a little bit about yourself. Where did you grow up? Family members?
I grew up in a small town in Oregon in the middle of the Willamette national forest.
What did you do before working at the library?
I worked as an office assistant at a small import company and helped my husband manage his bookkeeping for his small business while raising my kids at home.
What do you do at the library?
I am a Program Assistant at the library. We do story times for the little ones and help with teen and adult programs. I drive books to homebound customers and help with programs such as Reading Buddies, Homework Help Club and Parlez-Nous.
What do you do in your spare time?
I’m a home body so I just love being at home. I like to craft and have recently made a Fall wreath for my front door. I’m currently working on refinishing a small table for my daughter. I love camping and being with my family. My favourite place in the world is the Oregon Coast, I have so many wonderful childhood memories of visiting the coast. I love it so much that I am always on the hunt for something that makes me feel like I’m there which means my house has something coastal in almost every room.
Were you a library user before you started working at the library?
Oh yes! When I first moved to Canada I didn’t know where to go as I was a stay-at-home mom. I took my children to story times at the Poirier Branch with Deborah and Joyce. They were the best.
If you weren’t working at the library, what would you be doing?
I would probably start up my own cleaning business. Something that I can do that doesn’t require long commutes and, in the end, provides a sense of accomplishment.
What’s your favourite book?
I think Outlander by Diana Gabaldon is my favourite, time travel and adventure. I’m also into thrillers, Lee Child is one of my favourite authors.
What are you currently reading?
I’m listening to Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley on CloudLibrary while commuting to and from work, and reading The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion at home.
What’s on your “to read” book list?
Pretty much anything that strikes my fancy. I listen to reviews from other people like CPL’s What to Read Wednesday, or Booktok on Tik Tok. I do have to say that if a book doesn’t catch me I’m likely to put it down and never pick it up again.
What’s your favourite song or album or artist....or what's a song lyric best describes your life...or words to live by.
Song to best describe my life? Queen – Who Wants To Live Forever. I just get flashbacks of that scene in the movie Highlander where Ramirez tells MacLeod he’ll live forever while everyone around him dies. I’ll request it for my celebration of life. I still love the Cure, Love cats to pep me up and make me happy.
What is your favourite resource at the library?
CloudLibrary. I love being able to listen to books on my commute to work.
If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
The ability to scrub the Earth’s atmosphere of excess carbon and stop Climate Change.
What’s one thing people might be surprised to know about you?
I planted a tree before I went to Elementary school, my home town holds a yearly tree planting festival. I’ve ridden a horse bareback with no halter; not a snaffle bit or curb chain in sight. It was fun until we stopped… 😉