Kathryn Harter

Librarian Lauren Reusch poses in the library.

Finding her niche in the West High community, Lauren Reusch plans to revamp the library and make it a better place for students and faculty. Reusch’s first day was Oct. 27, 2014.

“My first day was pretty laid back. Everyone was just trying to help me feel comfortable, and I was just trying to learn the ropes, so Mr. Welch just kind of took the day and showed me where everything was and gave me a tour and that sort of stuff,” Reusch said.

Her knowledge of the circulation program used in the library makes her an asset to the staff, according to other library employees.

“Mrs. Reusch is very good with our new circulation program; she used it prior to our using it since our school now has it. She’s very good at finding books and working with kids, and she has a great rapport with all the students,” library assistant Deb Geiser said.

Librarian Brian Welch helped Reusch learn the ways of the library.

“Coming into this year, she knew our circulation system pretty well, and so that was nice because certain things that I might not have known, she picked up on those pretty quickly. Also, she’s a very hard worker and she gets down to a task and finishes it right away. She works well with the students and makes relationships pretty quickly,” Welch said. “She brings different ideas to the table and is willing to work with students and teachers individually and basically is always looking out for how to improve the library and how to improve other students’ and teachers’ ability to utilize information.”

After working with the other librarians, she learned more about the school.

“They’re great. I love working with Mr. Welch. It’s a lot of fun because we are similar in age, so we have got a lot in common, and he’s helped me get to know the school culture,” Reusch said.

Her favorite part of the day is before school starts.

“Before school we are always really busy. Kids are always in here working and socializing. There’s a lot of energy in here in the morning,” Reusch said.

Reusch did not always want to be a librarian.

“Growing up I wanted to be the first woman to play in the NBA but now, if I wasn’t a librarian, I think I would be a writer. I would probably write realistic fiction or possibly memoir-style type,” Reusch said. “Both my parents were teachers and so working in schools and being around schools all the time I just kind of knew it was a place I would like to be.”

One of the reasons Reusch became a librarian is because she is passionate about reading.

“Kind of the cliché reason, but I loved to read and I wanted to do something in education. I didn’t go into it thinking I would be a librarian right off the bat; I thought I would be a classroom teacher for awhile, but then I worked at a school and the library position came open and I just kind of got into it right off the bat. I like reading because it can take you out of your reality and into another world obviously,” Reusch said.

Her love for reading began in high school when she discovered young adult literature.

“I like so many different books for so many different reasons. My favorite genre is probably realistic fiction. I like dystopia. I like fantasy. I think probably like what got me into young adult literature when I was in high school was Harry Potter was coming out. If I were to have to say a book that has really impacted me and propelled me forward, it’s a pretty awesome and amazing series of stories,” Reusch said.

Reusch has a seven month old baby girl named Harper.

“Right now my biggest hobby is that I just had a baby and she is going to be seven months old. So right now I spend all my time reading about what to do for her and taking care of her and just learning the ropes of being a mom. It’s all encompassing. It’s scary. It’s fun. It’s exciting. You just want to do everything right and do everything the best that you can for your child,” Reusch said.

She worked for two years in Springfield, MO as a librarian, then for four years in Kansas City, MO as a librarian, and last year she was at Claymont Elementary and then she transferred to West. Her first impression of West was when students and faculty raised money to aid Ollie.

“Something I think is very telling about West is that kind of happened right as I was coming was the Ollie story and so that was one of my very first impressions of what a great, giving community that pulled together for one of their own. To me, that was just the essence of West, and it was a great way to kind of show me what it’s all about,” Reusch said.

Reusch feels that her experience at West so far has been a positive one.

“My experience at West has been awesome. I came in the middle of the year, so that’s a hard position to come in. I didn’t get to meet anybody. I didn’t get to do any orientation or any of the things at the beginning of the year, but as soon as I came everybody made me feel really welcome. The kids were all really nice, teachers came in to stop by and say hi and I still don’t know half the people here, but I feel like I belong,” Reusch said, “So far, everything’s been great. If I were to dislike anything, it would be how big it is because it’s so hard to get to know everybody.”

Reusch plans to get more involved in activities after school.

“Right now, I’m taking it slow just through the clubs we have here at the library: D&D, Chess Club, Anime Club and Book Club. So right now that is what I’m doing, but I love sports, so I want to get involved. I want to at least go see games and see everybody play,” Reusch said. “I played volleyball and I’ve coached volleyball a lot, so next year I might stay a couple days and work with some of the girls.”