Person of interest: Mary Frances Cooper, new director of Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
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Mary Frances Cooper: The book she's reading is always her favorite.
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Mary Frances Cooper officially took over as president and director of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh on Jan. 1. The Downtown resident had been deputy director at the library for four years, but has vast experience working at other urban libraries, such as the New York Public Library, Minneapolis Public Library and the Louisville Free Public Library in Kentucky. Among her biggest challenges, Ms. Cooper, 57, faces the constant adaptation of new technologies to keep libraries vital as well as building sustainable funding.
E-reader or book? I own an iPad, but, for me, there is something about holding a book in your hands. I have the greatest job because all I have to do is walk out of my office and there are thousands of books to choose from.
My favorite book of all time is ... The one I'm currently reading. For me, every new book I read takes me on a new adventure, with exciting possibilities, different ideas, places and cultures.
If I could be any character in a story I'd like to be ... The omniscient narrator who sees and knows everything that happens within the world of the story, and can tell it well.
When I was a child, the story I asked my folks to read to me over and over was ... My parents stressed the importance of reading at an early age and would read to us every night as a family. One of my fondest memories is of my mother reading "The Five Little Peppers and How They Grew" by Margaret Sidney. As one of five children, I could relate to the family.
The biggest misconception about the Carnegie Libraries is ... That technology is making libraries irrelevant. That couldn't be further from the truth! In fact, technology is driving the way libraries provide information to our users; it's providing opportunities for greater collaboration. Right now, we're expanding eBooks and downloadable materials, providing high-speed Internet and Wi-Fi access, and digitizing historical documents so that people around the world can access the materials instantaneously. It's an exciting time for libraries -- the possibilities are endless.
My favorite spot in the 'Burgh is ... Any of Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh's neighborhood locations. I can't choose!
Pet peeve about Pittsburgh: People don't like to cross rivers or bridges. They are missing so many opportunities and the great things Pittsburgh has to offer in every neighborhood.
My most treasured possession is ... What can I say ... it's my library card. That one small card gives a person the power to access more than 5 million items, including books, DVDs, music, downloadable materials, databases, photographs, and so much more. You can see the whole world without leaving Pittsburgh. And the best part ... it's completely free!
I'm most passionate about ... Education, especially early education. All of us can help our children build a solid foundation early on in their young lives. Reading to them every day helps develop language skills.
I'm surprisingly good at ... Adapting to new situations. I've had the pleasure of living in many wonderful places and learned how to quickly make friends, master the transit system and find the great local hot spots. I'm proud to say that I've held library cards in eight states.
My perfect weekend ... Would include quiet time to read a good book, go for a swim, take part in a new cultural experience and explore something in Western Pennsylvania that I haven't seen yet. Although, not necessarily in that order.
On my last vacation I went to ... France. My sister and I went on an amazing once-in-a-lifetime lavender tour of Provence. We toured medieval villages, witnessed breathtaking vistas of wild lavender and learned how the fragrant plant is transformed into essential oils and soaps.
The word or phrase I dislike the most ... "It's not possible!" A roadblock is just an opportunity for creative and collaborative thinking.
If I won the lottery tomorrow ... I would take care of my family, and establish a philanthropic trust to find ways to support literacy and learning.
Best piece of advice I've ever received ... Move to Pittsburgh -- you'll love it there!
First Published January 29, 2012 12:00 am
