Posted February 2, 2023
Meet Our New Librarians
New Faces at the Library
There are some new faces at the Library’s service desk. Lisa Burns, Adam Pecar and Alexis Smith joined the Grosse Pointe Public Library as the new Teen Librarian, DREAM Lab Librarian and Emerging Technologies Librarian, respectively. Jeff Maurer moved from a Substitute Librarian to a Part-Time Librarian. Burns, Maurer and Pecar are located at the Woods Branch and Smith works at the Ewald Branch.
“Retirement, a promotion, staff turnover and the new DREAM Lab maker space opened up opportunities for us to hire three new staff and move one to a part-time position,” said Jessica Keyser, Library Director. “Lisa, Adam, Alexis and Jeff bring a set of skills to the library to meet the needs of our community and the needs identified in our Strategic Plan.”
The Teen Librarian’s primary responsibilities include creating engaging teen programs, collaborating with the middle and high school librarians and maintaining teen materials. “We want to meet teens where they are and let them know the library cares about them,” said Burns. “They’re one of our most important age groups. We want to provide an inclusive, inviting space for them.”
Pecar joined the Library to oversee the new maker space in the Woods Branch. Called the DREAM Lab (Design, Record, Experiment, Access, Make), Pecar’s primary responsibilities are to develop maker space programs and services and help patrons use the technology in the DREAM lab. “I want people to be blown away when they come to the DREAM Lab,” said Pecar. Recently he was able to work with a patron and help him make a part for his pinewood derby car on the 3D printer. “I’m looking forward to continuing to bring new technology to the community.”
The Emerging Technology Librarian responsibilities include enhancing technology learning opportunities for the community and Library staff. “I always knew I wanted to be a librarian,” said Smith. “As the Emerging Technologies Librarian it’s my goal to make our staff and patrons’ lives easier.”
As a Part-Time Librarian at the Woods Branch, Maurer’s primary responsibilities are adult and youth reference. “I help with a lot of technology needs such as setting up hoopla and Libby on patrons’ phones,” said Maurer. He worked as a Substitute Librarian for about six years and is very happy to be a more permanent part of the staff with a set schedule.
A resident of Ferndale, Burns earned her Master’s in Library Science from Wayne State University. Before joining the Grosse Pointe Public Library, she worked for the Dearborn Public Library and the Detroit Public Library. Pecar is a resident of Harper Woods. He earned his Master’s in Library Science from Wayne State University too. Previously, Pecar worked for the Detroit Public Library and the Harper Woods Public Library.
Smith is a resident of the City of Grosse Pointe. She earned her Master’s in Library Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana. Her most recent position was with the Waldo Library at Western Michigan University. Maurer is a resident of Grosse Pointe Woods. He earned his Master’s in Library Science from Wayne State University. Previously, he worked for Century 21, Quicken Loans and was a Research Librarian for the United Auto Workers.
