Meet Adam Schmidt, Walt Whitman Library’s New Children’s Librarian
Just in time for back-to-school season, this September 1 saw the arrival of a brand new full-time children’s librarian, Adam Schmidt, to the Walt Whitman Library (93 Saint Edwards Street), which library-goers have long said is a much-needed resource for neighborhood kids.
His arrival marked the culmination of a successful advocacy push by local parents and families for more child-focused programming, services, and upgrades to the library.
We caught up with Schmidt to welcome him to her to the neighborhood and see what’s in store for library patrons this year.
How long have you been a librarian?
I started at Newark Public LIbrary for seven years as a children’s librarian. This is my first Brooklyn Public Library job.
What are your goals for our library?
My goals are to make the branch, as well as BPL, come right off the page. I would love to take an incredible branch and make it even more extraordinary. I am working with an amazing team here. I just want to do the best, if not better, that I can.
What is your favorite children’s program that you’ve implemented in the past?
In Newark, what I did was a cooking lesson at least once a month where I showed children how to read a recipe, to see the math in the lesson. . . It’s vasic, simple, and they can enjoy themselves with minimal adult supervision. Also, my story times — I love getting lost in a story.
Why are you a children’s librarian?
One of my favorite things about being a children’s librarian is you never have to grow up. I have a bachelor’s degree in special education, as well, teaching in Florida. I loved working with children of different abilities, and decided to go back for Master’s degree in Library Science.
What will your role entail?
Right now, doing story times, games and puzzles, movie dates. . . acclimating myself to the community and branch. School-related stuff I’m sure will come in the future.
What are your favorite things about Fort Greene?
The Walt Whitman staff is just absolutely amazing, very professional, very warm, and very inviting. I love everything.
Do you have any other hobbies?
One of my favorite things to do is be a tourist. I’ve lived in New York for 30 years, but luckily my wife is open to sightseeing and exploring Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan.
I’m also a big collector of movies. I’m a big mob movie fan — I’m from New York, so I have to be. I also enjoy comedies and everything.
What is your favorite children’s book?
Jack Prelutsky’s “The New Kid On The Block” — a book of poetry for young readers. Growing up, that was one of my favorite books. I try to bring that to the next generation.
What else should people know about you?
I hope they’re as excited as me to have a children’s librarian! Please come in and say hello and experience what we have here.