Staff Spotlight: Kathy Janosko

the pages together with the sewing machine. But I would not have been able to do this had Dave not provided me with a sewing machine to use (for a different purpose) about a week prior. There are no coincidences, ” she says with a wink.

The creation of these three artists is a marvel of collaboration. In some ways, I’m not surprised; they work together seamlessly on a daily basis while the conversation flows and twists and reaches interesting places before getting interrupted again. But, really, did anyone expect something this marvelous to emerge while the books were getting sorted downstairs? A basement is not always a soulless thing.

Louise Fordyce

How long have you worked at the Boulder Public Library? And how did you come to work here?

I started in Sept of 2007, so almost 14 years. I responded to a “help wanted” posting for someone to handle the accounts payable and deposits. I started out as a half-time employee.

What type of work did you do prior to your years at BPL?

I worked for a computer sales and engineering company in Virginia prior to my move to Colorado in 2006. It was a small start-up when I first started there so I did all things office related: payables, ordering, HR, payroll. By the time I left, I was only handling payroll and HR as the administrative staff had grown over the 15 years I was there. Dave G., Tim N., and Renate M. enjoy their creation above ground. Photo credit: Katherine Bertone.

Can you give us a short overview of a typical day in your department?

This is a hard one to answer since in Admin we all have different duties. Meetings, planning, reports, budget work…….

Can you give us a brief rundown of what your daily tasks/workday consist of?

I am lucky in that my days are often varied. It may seem tedious to others, but I like it. My work days are usually a mix of any of the following: processing vendor invoices for payment and reconciling their statement/accounts to ensure that the library is timely with payments. reconciling cash and card transactions at the registers and on-line, then preparing and entering bank deposits. handling the cash/card transactions at the printer/copier coin-ops. I also try to trouble shoot them when I can. Reconciling, preparing and entering the related bank deposits. preparing and distributing monthly purchasing card statements. Reviewing reconciled statements and entering expense reallocation information. maintaining fund balance reports for the various BLF program grants. working with the Library Foundation to ensure receipt of grant funding. working with the City’s Finance team to ensure that the library is up to date on the data processing and reporting requirements. maintaining stats for things like the door entry data and hours of operation for use in the internal quarterly reports and the annual

State Library statistical report. helping complete the annual State Library statistical reports. responding to staff questions/concerns such as keycard and door key access, where to find needed supplies or whatever else comes up. helping other departments with room reservations when they need them outside of our normal “do-it-yourself” reservation options. responding to patron questions, as needed. (But PS is so darn good now that this isn’t nearly as often as it used to be when I first started. YEAH, PS team!) backing up for all things library-related for Payroll and HR when Celia is not available. preparing data and reports, as needed, for the Management team. pitching in when another library staff member, program, or area needs a hand. pitching in when other City departments need a hand.

Can you share some of the most/more satisfying experiences you've had at work in the library?

There have been many different times when I absolutely loved something I was lucky enough to be involved with at the library but I think that this past year has been the most amazing. I was able to help out when the Carryout Holds-Pickup program started at Main and Meadows. Just being able to see the patrons again, imagine their smiles behind their masks when they picked up their books and hear their happy exclamations of thanks. Also, seeing the incredible work the staff has done in all areas to bring resources and programming to the patrons. The staff continually blow me away with what they do.

Can you tell us about your hobbies outside of work?

Hiking, dog walking, taking care of my plants, reading and—since March of last year—quilting. Can you share the most bizarre or funny experience you’ve had at work in the library?

Of course I can’t think of single “real-funny” thing right now but one of my favorite fun times was when a young child, standing by the fountain with his caregiver, suddenly jumped in with both feet and stood there in the water with the biggest smile on his face. Fortunately, the caregiver had a sense of humor and both were laughing while the child was lifted back out.

If you didn't work at the library what would your "pie-in-the-sky" dream job be?

Babysitting grandbabies! But since that isn’t in my immediate future, the library is definitely a dream job.

When you find bags and bundles of chocolates in the breakrooms, you can likely thank Kathy J. Photo credit: Monnie Nilsson