Kari Oanes is the new children’s librarian in Austin

Kari Oanes transformed her love of reading into a career.

She now taking that love to children and families in Austin, as she started as the new children’s librarian at the Austin Public Library June 11.

The children’s librarian position in Austin has been vacant for about three years, so Oanes has had to learn on the fly.

“I’ve just jumped in feet first with the Summer Reading Program,” she said.

Oanes described coming into a position that’s been vacant as a positive and negative. On one hand, it may have been easier to and learn from her predecessor. On the other hand, she can do things her way.

“It’s a good thing because I get to build the program myself, which is exciting,” she said.

Oanes has had plenty of help. This year’s Summer Reading Program was already set up when she arrived, so she’s coming into an existing program.

The position deals with more than books. The Summer Reading Program also offers story time, crafts, games and LEGOS, and many various performers and special exhibits, like last week’s Minnesota Zoomobile.

“I think a lot of times when you get some really good children’s programming going people are definitely surprised by what they can find at the library, because it’s a lot more than just books,” she said.

Oanes said she is still trying to get a feel for the community, but she said the summer library gets a lot of traffic.

“A lot of kids have been showing up for the summer reading program,” she said.

Oanes said she wants to add more children’s programs at different times, so there are more opportunities to attend.

“I definitely want a very vibrant program that brings people into the library that aren’t regulars already,” she said.

Along with continuing to build the Summer Reading Program, Oanes said she wants to add things for other ages.

“I definitely want to build more teen programming,” she said.

Oanes attended Concordia College in Moorhead, where she grew up and then attended Simmons College in Boston, Mass.

“I’ve always been a big reader, and I got job at the Moorhead Public Library when I was an undergrad, and I just really loved it,” she said.

She later interned at the Reading Public Library.

“It just seemed like the right fit,” she said of being a librarian.