Library Stories: "Destined to be a Librarian" by Lauren Weiss, CommunicationsDecember 18, 2015

 
"Destined to be a Librarian"

"Other kids played school and house and all of those things. I played library." - Dawn Collins (Zimmerer)

Posted by NYPL The New York Public Library on Friday, December 18, 2015

"Other kids played school and house and all of those things. I played library." - Dawn Collins (Zimmerer)

Dawn Collins

Dawn Collins (Zimmerer) is a Senior YA Librarian at The New York Public Library's West Farms Branch.  The West Farms Branch, which began as a sub-branch of The New York Public Library in 1929, has been serving residents of the South Bronx in its present location on Honeywell Avenue since 1954.

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Comments

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Destined to be a Librarian

Submitted by Keith Saunders (not verified) on December 18, 2015 - 4:50pm

A Friendly Comment to Lauren Weiss: Yes, but why? What is it about this job that Dawn loves? What resonated with her from an early age when she played "library" that led her to return to the library sciences and make it her life's work? This is the story the video should tell; this is what I as the viewer or consumer would like to see and know.

A friendly comment to Keith Saunders

Submitted by BV Meyer (not verified) on December 19, 2015 - 1:31am

I am also a viewer and in my opinion Dawn's story is inspiring and heart-warming, exactly as told in the video, nothing more needed. What does it matter the details of our desires as children, teens or adults? The fact is, Dawn managed to identify and realize her goals. That enviable enthusiasm for her career she so clearly conveys in the video is undoubtedly a direct result of her personal determination and persistence sustained for years. Thank you, Dawn, for sharing with us your motivating story.

More needed

Submitted by RdMM (not verified) on December 23, 2015 - 6:29pm

Your opinion is just that, yours: it's not for you to determine that "nothing more is needed." In Mr. Saunders' (& my) opinion, we would like more detail about the REASONs behind her decision: knowing WHY someone does something is just as--if not more--important than knowing what s/he did, because it gives you meaningful insight into who s/he is. For example, 2 people may run across the street, but 1 might do so to escape police custody while the other is racing to help an elderly person. The motivation tells a radically different story from the mere action.

More needed

Submitted by RdMMM (not verified) on December 23, 2015 - 6:30pm

I am in complete agreement with you: knowing WHY someone does something is just as--if not more--important than knowing what s/he did, because it gives you meaningful insight into who s/he is.

Past employment

Submitted by Janet Yacht (not verified) on December 18, 2015 - 5:14pm

NYPL at 42nd St was my first job out of college and my favorite one. I loved working there! Seven years! I'll be 78 soon and have had a number of jobs but NYPL was the best by far.

The New York Public Library Is The Best Deal Anywhere

Submitted by David Curry Holmes (not verified) on December 18, 2015 - 7:32pm

A great city deserves and has a great library. Yes visit all the regular stuff in NYC but for the best learning experience around walk into an atmosphere where learning is king and having fun doing it is a second to none experience. I applaud the staff and patrons and looking forward to my next trip back into a universe that only books can get you there.

I'm glad that Dawn works at

Submitted by Michael Greenstein (not verified) on December 19, 2015 - 8:25am

I'm glad that Dawn works at the West Farms branch. This was a special place of learning and refuge for me as a kid growing up in the area in the late 50s. I learned research skills that were helpful to me throughout my professional life. It helped me become a lifelong reader. I was introduced to worlds beyond my imagination through the helpfulness of librarians like Dawn. It is because of my experiences there that I became a NYPL supporter as an adult.

Ex visitor&school librarian

Submitted by Tamara Radojčić (not verified) on December 20, 2015 - 11:51am

When I saw her passion I saw everuthing about been librarian.

books are friends

Submitted by christina milar... (not verified) on December 22, 2015 - 1:58pm

great wee vid clip. will inspire others , espcially young people. books are friends for life. to find a job you love is a blessing. libraries can change your life. we need to always remember that fact. Love your local library and always support it.

To build up a library is to

Submitted by Alex PourAghaei (not verified) on December 25, 2015 - 2:04am

To build up a library is to create a life. It’s never just a random collection of books.

Beautiful Dawn

Submitted by Lisa Abbe (not verified) on October 3, 2016 - 12:12pm

In Life people experience life's most precious commodity, "friendliness, a smile, helping someone, etc.) When I first came to the library, Dawn greeted me with a smile and was very helpful to me and everyone around her. I felt such a warm loving presense that only Dawn gave me thanks to God. This is so important to help people with a smile and sincerity all the time. Thank you Dawn for your warm embrace that comes from within you to honestly help people and do it with a smile. May God Bless You!! Lisa J. Abbe