Check Out the Books, Check Out the Librarian

The next time you visit the Abington Free Library, you might want to thank Mimi Satterthwaite, head of the reference department and the library staff, for a job well done. 

How does someone decide to become a librarian in the first place?  Not right away in Satterthwaite’s case.  With a strong interest in history and archeology as a high school student, she dreamed of becoming an archeologist. Satterthwaite traveled to Rome and Athens on class trips where she witnessed evidence of the past first hand while touring the ruins; she had an eye towards building her own adventurous career in archeology. At Smith College, Satterthwaite pursued a major in history, and after studying Italian, spent a year abroad in Florence. Like most college students, her career interests varied.

Following graduation, Satterthwaite found a job at Boston’s Massachusetts Historical Society working with archivists and librarians.

“That’s where I started formulating the idea that maybe librarianship was in my future,” Satterthwaite said. 

Once Satterthwaite was sure that library work was the right path, she applied, and was accepted, to the master’s program in library science at Columbia University.  Compelled by her attraction to history, she explored archives and rare books as possible specialties. After completing her graduate studies, Satterthwaite jumped at the chance to work in cataloguing rare books at Temple University. She moved on to cataloguing the general collections where she had the opportunity to organize and manage data. It dawned on her that she enjoyed working with data more than the very detailed work required in rare books. Over her eight years at Temple, she took on a variety of cataloguing positions until leaving after the arrival of her second child. 

In a flash, Satterthwaite was offered a unique opportunity to take on the system administrator assistant position for the Montgomery County Library and Information Network Consortium (MCLINC) working out of Norristown. Sattertherwaite spearheaded a very complex project that entailed setting up the first server and network designed to convert the ancient card catalogue system into an online catalogue.

“My job was helping to make this happen and getting things up and running which was a great job,” Satterthwaite said.

With two young children at home, combined with a difficult commute, Satterthwaite eventually left her MCLINC job to take a “motherhood break.” 

After a two-year hiatus, Satterthwaite said she yearned to return to the world of books.  Having displayed her talent delivering an innovative system for MCLINC, she was offered a part time position at the Abington Free Library. Gradually, more hours were added on to her job, and before she knew it, she was manning the reference desk and eventually became head of the reference department. 

As the print publishing industry continues to shrink, some might wonder if libraries will become extinct. Satterthwaite envisions the library profession growing with changing technology.

“We still need people to manage the information in a standardized way and to help guide people to access the information that they may or may not know exists,” Sattherwaite said. “Even at a high tech level, librarians remain an important resource.” 

For anyone considering a career in library science, Satterthwaite said the it offers a wide variety of options — ranging from public, academic and special libraries. .

“If you like information and are interested in working in the service sector, then librarianship might be the profession for you,” she said.

When she is not behind the reference desk at the library, Satterthwaite enjoys exercising, spending time with her family and yes, reading.  She especially likes biographies and fiction, is a fan of mystery writer Henning Mankell, and recently enjoyed reading “A Fine Balance” by Rohinton Mistry, a story that takes place in modern India.

After 10 years at the Abington Free Library, Satterthwaite continues to find her job stimulating. 

“I enjoy working with the public,” she said. “There’s a lot of interesting people who come into the building asking interesting questions. The staff is great and we all work towards providing the best service. And my work still challenges me.”

From assisting high school students with projects, to providing guidance to adults on computers, Satterthwaite revels in spreading her knowledge and experience.