The Jericho Public Library is sporting a brand new Young Adult Services librarian these days, and she’s excited to dive into some books with the teens and tweens of the community.
Gina Patronaggio of Massapequa had formerly served as the Young Adult librarian at the Seaford Public Library for the past year-and-a-half. However, when given the chance to join the staff at the Jericho library, she jumped at the opportunity—despite the significantly longer commute involved, she said.
“It’s a little bit of a hike, but it’s totally worth it,” she said. “Even after just a month working here at the Jericho library, it’s been such a wonderful experience…all the staff has been so welcoming, kind, and friendly. It’s been a fantastic experience so far.”
Jericho library director Barbara Kessler said that the library had recently experienced a shake-up of sorts in regards to staffing. But she noted that after some shuffling, promotions and hiring, things are better than ever after a brief period of transition.
“We had two retirees—the Head of Reference and the Assistant Head of Reference—and having two people retire at once can create a very difficult situation,” she said. “So, we made our former Young Adult Librarian the new Assistant Head of Reference, and we made Angela from the Children’s Section the new Head of Reference. Then, to fill the vacant YA Librarian position we hired Gina Patronaggio. Gina got the job because she showed creativity and she showed enthusiasm…she showed us that she was very good with programming, and so far she’s working out wonderfully. She’s a great addition to the library staff.”
Patronaggio, who possesses a wide-eyed, youthful vigor well-suited to her current profession, initially got her start in the field of education. But the library was where her heart truly lay, she said, and to that end she went back to school to earn her Library Science Master’s Degree. Once this was achieved, she noted that her first position in the library field exposed her to an age group that she quickly became quite enamored of.
“While working as a Young Adult Librarian in Seaford I really discovered my passion there, and I’ve just been building upon that ever since,” Patronaggio said. “I love working with teens because they’re so creative and they’re overflowing with ideas…there’s just such a positive energy about working with them, and they always keep you thinking and reaching to look for newest trends. They’re just a great population to work with.”
Patronaggio said she’s always looking for suggestions on expanding just about anything that would appeal to the ever-evolving tastes of her discerning teen and tween clientele, including the library’s programs, books, and graphic novel section, among other things. In addition, some successful and fun programs that she pioneered at the Seaford library are making the trip over with her to Jericho, she said.
“I do a lot of edible, food crafts with the teens. I’m also looking to do a lot of volunteer crafts with the teens as well, a lot of community service. I’m always looking to expand the Young Adult area with whatever the teens are interested in,” she said. “I want to get to know the kids in the community and find out what programs they’d like to see here at the Jericho Library. We’re getting a 3D printer soon, so I’d like to form programs around that, and I’d like to get the input of the kids on that especially.”
Phyllis Cox, Public Relations and Program Coordinator, said that Patronaggio is proving to be a perfect fit for the YA librarian post, and wished her the best of luck as she tackles the needs of the teens and tweens in the Jericho community.
“She’s such a sweetheart…her demeanor is just so incredible,” she said. “She’s very sweet and charming, and to me it’s just a plus all the way…for the library, and for the kids. That’s my take on Gina.”
