Meet Emily Heath, Children’s Librarian At Clinton Hill Library

On March 23, Clinton Hill Library welcomed a new children’s librarian, Emily Heath. Her arrival has been met with excitement on the part of parents and children alike, as Heath — an experienced librarian who previously instituted programs like a Summer Science Club at the Jamaica Bay Library in Canarsie — brings with her years of experience and a friendly personality. We caught up with Heath to welcome her to her to the neighborhood and see what’s in store for library patrons this year, but she ended up making us feel welcome, too!

Describe your role as children’s librarian at Clinton Hill Library.

Along with helping out at the desk and on the floor with patrons each day, I’ll be planning and putting on programs at the library for children up to age 12, conducting school visits, and maintaining the branch’s collection of children’s materials by requesting more copies of books that are in high demand and making sure the shelves are in good order.

What are your goals for the library? What can patrons look forward to?

Patrons can look forward to more programs, especially for school-age kids. I love doing arts and crafts and science projects as well as reading aloud to kids of every age. I’m hoping to start a parent-tween book discussion group that will meet one Saturday a month, if there is enough interest. Graphic novels are a particular interest of mine – I love the fact that there are so many of them for younger kids these days – and also origami, so definitely look for programs featuring these two things in the future (but probably not both at once, unless I get really creative). We’re also hoping to have kids’ programs on gardening and cooking this summer.

How can people help/contribute?

Come to the programs, help us spread the word about programs you’d like to support and see more of, and please make suggestions to me or the other librarians if there are programs you’d like to attend that we don’t currently offer!

Are you there every day? When can people come to you for help?

I’ll be there five days a week – sometimes  Monday to Friday, sometimes Tuesday to Saturday –  although  there will be days I’ll be out of the branch for school visits. If I’m not at the desk or on the floor when you come to the library, feel free to ask for me at the desk, or leave me a note, or email me at eheath@bklynlibrary.org – I’d love to chat.

Where in Brooklyn are you from?

I’ve been in Brooklyn since 1997 and have lived in Prospect Heights and Bay Ridge, but currently make my home in Park Slope, where I’m proudly raising two little Brooklynites of my own. The last library branch I worked at was Jamaica Bay in Canarsie.

What do you consider your biggest achievement while in BPL?

I loved the Summer Science Club I held on Saturdays at Jamaica Bay last summer. We learned to use a microscope, built a working model of a Ferris wheel that’s still on display, made all kinds of weird paper airplanes, and went crazy with Legos – in fact, I established a Lego building program that lasted all year, making Friday afternoons very popular in the kids’ room.

What is your favorite thing about libraries?

Seeing the amazing diversity of the communities in Brooklyn, and watching them all come together to use the library in different ways – for free!

What is your favorite children’s book?

Toughest question ever! My favorite picture book is probably Charlie Parker Played Be Bop by Chris Raschka, because it’s so fun to read aloud. My favorite chapter book is Indigo’s Star by Hilary McKay, who writes the warmest, funniest, most complicated families ever.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

Bring your children and babies to the library early and often, and encourage them to choose materials that allow them to explore their own interests.