January 26th - Nita

As I said the other day, I'm a bookworm, and that means I'm in the library on campus quite a bit during lunch breaks or as I'm leaving to go home from work.  I've gotten the chance to know some of the librarians, particularly Nita, but I've never had a longer conversation with her.  We'll chat about the movies I'm picking up or maybe our weekend plans, but that's about it.

Yesterday, I actually got to see her office.  In my ten years here I've never been in that room, I've only seen it as I'm checking things out because it's behind the circulation desk.  We talked with her about her time here at HPU, her hopes for the future, and how things have change so much over the years.

Nita

First off, Nita is not actually her first name.  On her name tag, it says La-Nita, but even that isn't quite right.

Nita: My first name is Artanza, but you can't imagine how many people got that wrong.  It's spelled just like it sounds.  But still, people couldn't get that one.  So I just started going by Nita, which is a shortened version of my middle name.

I'll never forget it.  One time, someone called in from a dentist and they asked for Artanza because they were closing up the office for the day and had to cancel my appointment. The student worker that answered the phone said no one by that name worked here.  So I showed up for my appointment and waited and waited, and nobody came because they hadn't been able to reach me!

So now, on the staff directory board, I make sure that my whole name is spelled out, just in case.

In August, Nita will have been with the university for 30 years.  She started a week before she got married, and had to postpone her honeymoon to New Orleans because it was so close to school starting.

 Lars: How did you get into being a librarian?

Nita: It's funny, I worked at my school library in elementary school...when I was going to school there. I just always enjoyed it.

Lars: Wow, so this is a calling then?

Nita: It is, it really is.  I was going to get my masters degree in library science right after I graduated from UNCG with my bachelors degree, but I got into a car accident.  That set me behind quite a bit, and it was tough.  I started working at a travel agency, but really wanted to get back to working in libraries like I had always planned on doing.

I saw an open position at High Point College (it was a college back then, not a university).  And I came in for an interview and didn't get that job.  But they told me that another position was going to open up soon, and to keep my eye out for it.  This was when you could look for jobs in the newspaper.

Well by that time, I was just so dejected for having to have it all pushed back, and I was so tired of looking for jobs, I just thought to myself forget it.  They ran the ad for the job, and I missed it because I wasn't looking for it.  And when I didn't apply, they actually called me.

"Why didn't you apply? We want you for this job!" So I thought if they wanted me that bad it must mean I should work there!

Lars: What's the biggest change that you've seen working here in the library over that time?

Nita: I'd have to say that the automation has to be the biggest change.  I remember having no computers, and then having two little computers.  I used to have to type out overdue notices on these little sheets, it was so time consuming.  I'd get the card from the book and have to match it all up by hand, automation has really helped with all of that.

I remember having to go through Reader's Guide to find articles to help with student research.  Now, getting things online has helped so much with that.

But you know, the students are still the same.  We want to say they want more now and that they're more demanding, but I just find them to be pleasant.  Some say they act like they are in a "give it to me now" generation, but I never see that.  Sure, they get stressed or have bad days, but they're still wonderful to work with after all these years.

Lars: So, I interviewed Trae for the blog a couple of days ago, and we talked about books and all that. I have to ask, as a librarian, are you also a bookworm?

Nita: I hate to say this, because I really do love to read.  But I admit lately I am stuck in front of TV.

I did start reading a book called Negroland (by Margo Jefferson).  It's about this select high society that kept to themselves before the Civil-Rights movement.  It's really interesting.

Something else that I found to be interesting is that working in a library seems to be a family trade for Nita.  Her brother and sister both work in library system. She remembered how her brother would bring home 16mm prints of off the wall horror movies to watch with them all at home.   

We also talked about her daughter, who has also had the chance to see this campus grow over the years.  Nita loves Halloween and horror movies (I point to her brother's influence on that one), and there's a great picture of her daughter all dressed up for one Halloween in Nita's office:

Yup, that's her daughter as Dorothy, running up to the library.  The trees in the background are no longer there, but that pathway looks pretty much the same.

What is your favorite joke?

Nita: My child. She just makes me laugh.  I actually just told my student worker this story...

My daughter comes in one day and says "Mama, I want to be a veterinarian."

And I say, "Well that's great honey, you'll be great at that!"

And she says, "I just don't get it though, Mama.  Why don't they eat meat?"

"That' a vegetarian..."

What's the meal that reminds the most of home?

Nita: I'm from around here, I grew up in the area.  And my grandmother roasts beef no one else can touch. My sister almost came close to it one time, and I said "Oh my it's Mama Mary's roast beef!"

That or her yeast rolls.  You can find some in the freezer at grocery stores, but they just aren't the same.

What was the most significant thing that happened this past year?

Nita: The election, and I hate to see this, but that election. I sit here and think I can't believe this happened. I just shake my head. Every one is entitled to their opinion. I just didn't like the hatefulness that came out of some of it. I don't wish the man any ill will and I want things to work out. There is God, and it will work out.

I just think you have to treat people how you want to be treated. No matter who is in the office, if we all take the time to listen and be kind to one another, then things will be better. 

Will the world be better in 20 years?

Nita: I'm optimistic. Whenever I see these future movies it's this barren wasteland, I don't buy that! You see movies like The Terminator and it looks so terrible. I don't think it will end up like that. That's why I thought the (inauguration) speech was wrong.  It was just so bleak.

I think social media has made some people mean. You don't see the reaction to your words, and that can be a problem.  And also,  I don't want to know minute by minute what you're doing!

As I said, Nita is a big horror movie fan, which is something that she and I have discussed at length before (the new Ouiji sequel was on her desk while we were talking, and i told her about Hush, a movie we watched on Netflix over Halloween that we thought was great).

Nita: I tell people about all of these horror movies and action movies that I like, and it makes me wonder, what do they think about me?! "Geeze, she likes all those movies, what's up with her?!"

I don't think anything is "up" with her. I always look forward to seeing Nita whenever I go into the library.  She's a fixture here at the university, and her warmth and humor brighten up the day.  I hope that she's here for many more years of recommendations, laughs, and insights to come.