LJ’s Paraprofessional of the Year Takes It in Stride

Norman Oder -- Library Journal, 6/29/2008

• Public service ethic
• Daily enthusiasm
• "I'm just doing my job."

LLSR—Librarians Love Steve Roskoski, LJ’s 2008 Paraprofessional of the Year, and why shouldn’t they? “He’s the library assistant you dream of,” enthused Laural Winter of Multnomah County Library, Portland, Or, where Roskoski began volunteering at 10 and has worked since graduating from high school. She and colleagues, current and past, came to salute Roskoski at LJ’s event in Anaheim last night in his honor, where he received a plaque and a $1500 prize, courtesy of Brodart.

(Check the LJ 2008 ALA Annual Conference page for more live coverage.)

For his part, Roskoski was unaffectedly modest. “Working for the library has always been a great honor,” he said, adding, “I don’t know why you all are here. I’m just doing my job.” He said he loves going to work each day. Iindeed, he said, “I hope I get to work there ‘til I die.” At 31, he has a lot of good library years left.