When students step into the library doors, they see a new face behind the desk: Steven Thompson, who’s always ready with assistance, knowledge or simply a good book recommendation.
“I worked in a bookstore and I got a job interning at a publishing house that turned into a full time publishing career,” Thompson said. “The intention, though, was always to wind up in a library somewhere.”
Thompson says he knew from a young age that he wanted to work with books. Coming to West Essex, he spent several years working in both public and school libraries in West Orange High School and Loring Flemming Elementary School in Gloucester Township. Over the years, Thompson made it his goal to successfully become a librarian. After going to grad school and succeeding in getting a master’s degree, he finally got his dream job.
Transferring from West Orange, Thompson said he finds West Essex has many differences from his other schools. His old schools had a much larger student population, and adjusting to the change has taken him some time.
“My last school had between 2,100 and 2,200 students, so it was roughly twice the size of West Essex,” Thompson said. “Adjusting to a more modest population has been a process, but I’m glad I can devote more time to building rapport with everyone in our learning community.”
Despite these transitions, his dedication to helping students is clear. He not only wants to help students with books, but also to talk to students and create meaningful connections with them. He said he’d like students to experience the love and nurture of reading and hopes he can leave students with curiosity about what books could do to them.
“There’s something truly magical about connecting a person who ‘doesn’t like reading’ with the book that turns them into a reader,” Thompson said.
People would think that Thompson would have a favorite book or genre. However, he claims that books are all different in their own ways, so he doesn’t like to place anything in hierarchies. There are some books that Thompson favors during different times and parts of his life, he says, but ultimately he doesn’t have any one that he prefers above the rest. Thompson’s main goal is to help students or adults in whatever they are looking for so he can feel satisfied.
“I’m more interested in helping people find books that are meaningful, significant or helpful to them at the point in life they happen to be,” Thompson said.
Previous librarian Rosemary Rich who retired last school year left Thompson with something he has dreamed about his entire career. Thompson said he’s been gradually transforming the library into his own creative space that both him and students can find engaging and look forward to going to. He values collaborating with other teachers and has already educated co taught lessons with several classes. Thompson values his time working with students and them creating a welcoming environment for him to teach in.
“Students here are absolutely fantastic,” Thompson said. “All of my colleagues have been really lovely. The environment itself is very mellow. Ms. Rich left me a beautiful canvas to do my own work on.”
