By Ed Pierce
If public libraries store the energy that fuels the imagination, Ray Marcotte has a front row seat to the future of the Windham community.
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| Ray Marcotte, Windham Public Library's Reference Librarian, finds a 'phone booth library' while visiting Freistadt, Germany during a recent trip. SUBMITTED PHOTO |
He’s worked for the library for the past five years and during that time has found the most challenging aspect of his work to be a common one for library workers.
“The most challenging aspect of what I do in my job is figuring out how to use an unfamiliar device so that I can help a patron better understand how to use it,” Marcotte said.
According to Marcotte, the best thing associated with his job is working with the library’s adult programming and helping to host a wide range of interesting programs there. Windham Public Library’s adult programming includes book discussion groups, movies, appearances at the library by local authors and offering free tech help services for patrons such as understanding email, downloading applications, printing online pictures, navigating websites, laptops, eReaders, tablets, and more.
Marcotte is originally from Laconia, New Hampshire and he earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Plymouth State University in Interdisciplinary Studies, which is combined majors in English, Art History, and Philosophy. He also received a master’s degree for Teaching Secondary English from the University of New Hampshire and a master’s degree in library science from the University of Rhode Island.
During his career, Marcotte has also taught High School English and worked as an academic librarian.
He initially applied to work at the Windham Public Library when he was seeking part-time employment at a public library while helping his wife run a small business.
“The part-time position later morphed into a full-time position,” he said. “My wife loves what I am doing at the Windham Public Library. She gets introduced to interesting books to read from my suggestions.”
As a reference librarian, Marcotte faces interesting challenges every day.
The unique challenge of reference work in a public library includes dealing with a wide range of library patrons with diverse needs, being able to provide accurate and up to date information and maintaining a comprehensive collection of resources for everyone who walks in through the library door. As a public librarian, Marcotte must always be courteous, demonstrate problem solving skills and be able to effectively promote the library’s services and programs to members of the community.
His role also means Marcotte must have expertise and capabilities in all forms of technology so he can help library patroons with different inquiries. And, Marcotte must stay up to date with current trends and get to know library patrons better to be able to provide more personalized and knowledgeable services.
The library accomplishes the effectiveness of reference services by tracking the number of reference questions asked and comparing it to questions answered to give the library administrators an idea of how reference services are meeting the needs of the public and through patron satisfaction surveys.
As a reference librarian, Marcotte must also know how to evaluate new reference resources because it helps ensure that the library is providing the best possible service to its patrons. By knowing how to properly evaluate new reference resources, Marcotte can help ensure that the Windham Public Library is stocking the most relevant and up-to-date materials for its patrons.
“One thing that the public may not know about your job is that I learn something new practically every day,” Marcotte said. “The biggest misconception people may have about my work is that libraries are places where you should only whisper.”
During his time working at the Windham Public Library, Marcotte said he’s experienced many unforgettable moments, but one stands out to him above all the rest.
“My most memorable moment came when I witnessed how moved the audience members were by an Author Talk,” he said.
Of everything he’s learned while working for the Windham Public Library, Marcotte said the most important thing is actually very simple.
“I believe that public libraries are an essential part of any vibrant community,” he said. <
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