Ania is the Director of the Librarian/Textbook Coordinator at Capistrano Valley Christian Schools in San Juan Capistrano, CA (600 FTE). Ania has been a member of ACL since 2019.
Describe yourself using a book title: The Traveler
What’s the best thing about being a librarian? Igniting love for reading in my students and helping them find a book or series of book they fall in love with.
What are you currently reading? Bonhoeffer by Eric Metaxas
Describe ACL in three words: Support. Encouragement. Connections.
How do you contribute to your school community? The library is a welcoming place to all the students on campus, however only JK – Grade 6 have weekly scheduled time. This the group of students I get to know really well, I am familiar with their reading levels, limitations, struggles, interests. I am there for them, helping, encouraging, suggesting, pointing to the Lord. I support the teachers’ need for books for their units etc. I also coordinate textbook lists for High School and Junior High Students each school year, provide information and support in this area. I order all teacher’s editions of the textbooks. During Summer I physically order all the textbooks, class novels for elementary classes and organize them.
I began my career as a librarian…by God’s guidance and providence. I am not a librarian by training. My degree is in nursing and in teaching English as a Foreign Language and I obtained this degree from Gdansk University in Poland. I grew up in Malbork (Poland) next to a medieval castle that was a capitol of Teutonic Knights. The castle has a library with an impressive, in my opinion, collection that includes some old manuscripts. As a child I was privileged to see there and even hold a few of really old books. That was an unforgettable experience. I relocated to California in 2000. In 2013 my son started attending the school I am working at now. Since I always loved reading and libraries, I started volunteering my time to help the school librarian. When the librarian had to go on a medical leave, the school asked me to fill in the void. God gave me a vision for revamping the outdated space and making it attractive for all the grades including 12th graders. To make this space attractive for all grades I discovered my new interest – making book art. The Lord also put on my path couple of friends with MLS degree who were willing to advise and guide me through the process of weeding, cataloging and more. I love being K-12 librarian!
What do you value about ACL? Support, encouragement, connections. I love that there is a K-12 group I can connect with, ask questions etc.
How were you introduced to ACL? By Deborah McConkey
How are you or have you been involved in ACL? Being a solo librarian and a parent does not leave much time to be involved beyond membership. I was thrilled to attend my first conference and meet other librarians face to face.
Do you have any specific interests in the library world? Old Books