One of our greatest joys at WiLS is hearing our members tell the stories of the big and important work they are doing – interesting new projects or initiatives, or even interesting and new approaches to old projects. And, in addition to hearing about it, it makes us even happier when we can share those stories with other members. Each month, WiLS is proud to feature an interview with one of our library members. This month, we interview Cole Zrostlik, Event and Gallery Coordinator at River Falls Public Library.
Why did you, personally, choose to work in libraries?
I chose to work in libraries because I am passionate about supporting interest-driven, hands-on, and joyful learning for all people from all backgrounds. I love connecting community members with resources that make them feel excited about learning and making literacy and lifelong learning fun! I love libraries because, through our work, we can create accessible, novel, and non-traditional community spaces where all community members can connect and feel connected. Together we can do amazing things.
What is unique about the culture of your library? How do you influence it?
I have a unique role at the River Falls Public Library where I work as gallery coordinator. At the RFPL, we have a large community exhibition space where we feature everything from kids’ art to River Falls history to nationally-touring exhibits. This spring we did a cultural exchange with delegates from Jeju Province, South Korea, thanks to our partnership with UW-River Falls, and this August we’re bringing in Awkward Family Photos!
At my library, I get to champion non-traditional library services and plan and promote special events that connect community members across interests and generations. I work to infuse creativity, visual and technology literacy, hands-on learning, and the arts into our library culture.
What do you think is important to know about the community you work with? What helps you understand their needs?
I think it’s impossible to make any decisions in a library or any public institution without knowing the needs and interests of your patrons. When I first started working at the RFPL in August 2016, I looked at a lot of survey data before getting anything off the ground. Now, when I’m not planning or installing, I’m working 1-on-1 with community members to help answer technology questions and doing maker programming– these were both needs expressed in that data that I saw the first week I began working here and both programs have been extremely successful.
That said, I think and I know that the best way to understand the needs of a community is to have a conversation. I talk to anyone and everyone I can. I ask questions. And I listen.
Last November for International Games Week we brought in two huge, extremely heavy old-school arcade cabinet games for the week. I knew that our new local arcade needed more exposure and that our users (especially teens) loved all types of gaming but didn’t necessarily know about the arcade (which is super kid-friendly, cheap, and within walking distance of the library). I get questions about when we will do it again ALL THE TIME…
What big ideas are being worked on at your library? What problems are being solved?
We are elated to have just welcomed our new director Tanya Misselt (the former youth services manager at Appleton Public Library), and right now, as a team, staff at the RFPL are working on bigger and better outreach projects. Although our gallery is an awesome space for collaboration, connection, and the visual arts and culture, we still need to find ways to stay relevant, accessible, and connected to the wants and needs of our users by getting out of the library and meeting our community members where they are. I’m super excited for whatever happens next!
These interviews are part of a series of interviews with both WiLS library and vendor partners. Your feedback is appreciated. If you have any to offer on this article, or suggestions for upcoming interviews, contact Andrea Coffin at acoffin@wils.org.