Meet the Staff: Amy Schuster

If you are ever at the library any day between Tuesday-Saturday, chances are you might have seen Amy Schuster around the building. She can be seen in different areas throughout the day including up at the front desk, in the kids branch, between shelves OR hiding in the back offices. Whatever she is doing, she is always on a roll to make sure that the library is functioning, books are being checked in and maintained, and assisting patrons. Read on to learn more about Amy, one of our patron services associates! 

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I was born in Hilton Head, South Carolina but moved to Colorado when I was two years old and have been here ever since. Even though I am enamored with the mountains, I always think there is a part of me that is yearning for a beach or an ocean. Although when it comes to heat, I definitely think I am much better suited for a mountain climate.

I currently reside in Basalt and have lived in this town for a majority of my life as well as Grand Junction. Many of my primary education years were spent here as I attended Basalt Elementary and three years at Basalt Middle School so I guess you could say I’m familiar with the library’s vicinity. Despite living here for more than three-fourths of my life, I’ve never had a desire to leave. I’ve always enjoyed the vibe of a small town: the warm, familiar faces that greet you when you step foot into the library or anywhere else and the mountains that lurk behind. I guess having family members moderately close by is also a perk. 

I graduated from Aspen High School and then attained a liberal arts associate's degree from Colorado Mountain College. I then attended Colorado Mesa University and started off as a social work major. However, I decided to go a different route and earned a bachelors in sociology with a minor in social work. My job experience has been very versatile. Before I worked at Basalt Regional Library, I worked in a non-profit organization, did customer care for an independent tea company, retail, childcare, and was an intern for Jared Polis’ campaign when he was running for governor. For fun, I enjoy reading, going to the movies, eating out, attending concerts, volunteering and traveling. I also love to partake in Colorado recreational activities including skiing in the winter, riding my bike along the Rio Grande Trail in the summer (ALWAYS with music) and on occasion do a small, easy hike. Along with my other interests, I am very passionate about music. I love to sing, dance, and play the piano even though I lack proficiency in all of those areas.I have a music/heart tattoo on the side of my left ear. 

Something that I think that is important to note is sometimes I have a harder time thinking on the spot or articulating my words out loud. I absolutely love the power that written language holds. I definitely feel more confident expressing myself through my writing than I do verbally. Working at the library is really significant for me because it is wonderful being able to promote literature and written language. 
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I think I really connect with patrons well and the library as a whole because of my love for pop culture. I always joke around with others that I retain more information about celebrities, movies, TV shows, music, and books than anything academically related. If you check out a book at our circulation desk and I’m up there, always expect me to ask you if you have seen the film adaptation. You will always find me glued to my TV when there is an award show being broadcast (Oscars, Tony’s, Emmy’s, Grammy’s, etc.). 

I can say without a doubt that I absolutely LOVE my job. How often do people in the workforce get to say that they work at a facility that provides FREE resources, materials, and services to the public? I thoroughly enjoy helping out others and serving the community. My grandma was also a librarian. Being able to follow in her footsteps is a gift. 

Here are three fun facts about me:

1. I have been to four European countries. 
2. I am a huge coffee enthusiast and will switch off between drinking sweetened iced coffee, a foo foo drink that may contain a teaspoon of coffee, hot coffee with a sweet creamer AND plain black coffee. I also enjoy my afternoon tea. 
3. I am a proud auntie! I have a niece and nephew along with  another nephew on the way!