Just call me "Dorothy"

Today our “Staff Profile” features Sharon Smith, from Circulation Services, who is celebrating 25 years of employment with Northwestern University.

Sharon’s life journey began in a small northern Kansas town called Concordia, located in “Cloud County.” When asked about her Kansas roots, Sharon replied, “Just call me Dorothy!”

Sharon spent her childhood years in Concordia attending both grammar school and high school. She then enrolled at Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas, home to (believe it or not) the Kansas State “Wildcats.” And, yes, their school colors are purple and white, just like NU! (Could this have been a premonition of Sharon’s future years at NU?)

Two summers before she was to finish at Kansas State University, Sharon came up to Chicago to visit a friend who was taking part in a special summer program in Hyde Park, sponsored by the American Baptist Students Association. The program focused on the problems of the inner city. Participants in the program found their own jobs and lived at the student center. Sharon was drawn to this and decided to apply for the program the next summer.

It was the summer of 1966, a time of civil unrest, the height of the hippie era and a time of emerging social reform all over the country. Sharon arrived in Chicago on the very day that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was to give a speech at the KAM Temple in Hyde Park, which is now the location of “Operation Push.” Sharon commented, “I remember thinking what an incredible time it was to hear him speak and how impressive he was. I felt that he had the answers to resolving Civil Rights problems, if only he could get his message accepted by all Americans. I was just thrilled to be listening and seeing him in person. He had such a magnificent voice that rang throughout that building.”

Sharon’s interest in social justice and activism continues today. Many of us have seen Sharon adorned with various political campaign buttons. She recently worked on Barack Obama’s U.S. Senate campaign, knocking on doors in her neighborhood, passing out literature, and attending a celebratory party for volunteers when Obama won the race.

During her Hyde Park years, Sharon made a number of career moves. She worked 5 years at a law firm as a librarian and 4 years in the Recorder’s office at John Marshall Law School. She attended Northwestern first in 1974, after meeting her husband, Jeff, then moved near the Evanston campus in 1975. She attended Northwestern’s evening school and earned her bachelor of philosophy in English in June 1980, six months after starting work at Northwestern University Library. After joining Circulation in 1985, she attended Rosary College (now Dominican University) and earned her master’s degree in library and information science in 1992.

Sharon got her start at Northwestern University Library in the Acquisitions Department (now part of MARC) and worked there five years. She then interviewed for the position of “circulation assistant for fines and overdues,” in the Circulation Department, which is the job she currently holds. Sharon is responsible for resolving problems with billed items that are returned. She places notes in the records of items with lost status. Those items are then searched in the stacks. When they are returned, Sharon adjusts the bills accordingly. She sends out warning notices in advance, works on payment plans and trains students in taking fine payments, checking out books, re-directing patrons, and more.

Sharon loves the people contact, which runs the gamut from undergrads to professors, alums, and well-known authors. She has met Howard Reich, the jazz critic for the Chicago Tribune and a Northwestern Alum, and Edith Skom, an instructor in the Writing Program in the College of Arts and Sciences who wrote The Mark Twain Murders. Sharon has an eclectic taste in books. Murder mysteries are one of her favorites. She also enjoys authors such as Salman Rushdie and Garry Wills. Buried in her “obsession” (as she calls it) with books is a love of poetry. Some of her favorite poets are Emily Dickinson, Dorothy Parker, and e.e. cummings. She likes Haiku, a Japanese form of poetry, and has experimented a little with it. Here is a sample of one of Sharon’s Haiku poems:

TO SEARCH THE STARS

Columbia gone
Seven souls lost in the air
Fragments of dust motes!

At work, Sharon uses her creative writing abilities for the Library’s staff newsletter, The Lantern. Sharon was one of the members of the Lantern committee, when the publication was called the Lantern’s Core. It was before the Internet and was the main forum for communication with the staff. At that time it was a monthly publication. Rolf Erickson, former Head of Circulation, was the editor. Sharon deeply respected Rolf and worked with him on the newsletter. Unfortunately, after Rolf’s death the publication dwindled for some time. She is most proud of helping in its rebirth and publication. Now it is back in action with a very creative team!

Sharon also was very involved in the early days of the Library's Green Committee, again working closely with Rolf Erickson, the Committee Chair. Sharon worked many years on the committee and recently resigned as chair to pursue additional interests. She continues to assist the Green Committee when time allows. She said that Rolf would be very pleased with the work the current committee has done on beautifying the Library.

In her spare time, Sharon enjoys reading, baking, and weekends at home with her husband, Jeff. Sharon has also traveled abroad. Her husband is originally from England.
Sharon and Jeff traveled there in September of 2001 and were in London when the World Trade Center towers were attacked. A rather unsettling time to be away from home, yet Sharon remembers how warm the British people were and how sincere they were in their condolences. “Such an obvious outpouring of emotion for America,” said Sharon. “It brought tears to my eyes.”

This time of year Sharon prefers to stay in Evanston for one of her favorite pastimes… NU football! She can be found most Saturdays in the 43-yard-line seats in Ryan Field, cheering on the Northwestern Wildcats. She has been an avid fan for years. Sharon got hooked when Gary Burnett (former NU Coach) was on board, and promised to take NU to Pasadena, which he did in 1995! She saw the team go to the Citrus Bowl in 1996. All in all, Sharon Smith is a true NU advocate!

So, the small town girl from Kansas has made the “City of the Big Shoulders” environs her home now. Ruby slippers have now given way to the Purple and White!

Congrats Sharon… on your 25 years at NU!

Story and photo by Mary Bradley
Department Assistant
Library Administration