Who’s Who in Albany: Dan Hess

Name: Dan Hess

Occupation: A library assistant at the Albany Library, Hess is in his final semester of library school at San Jose State University.

Age: 48

How long have you worked at Albany Library? Since February, but I had many years of library experience before that. I had worked in the Alameda County System in extension services and outreach since 2001. I was the person who took books to the County Jail; that's a program they've had since World War One.

What kind of insight did working in extension services provide you? The fact that each individual's need for information or for a good book to read is totally equal, whether it's a child or a senior citizen or a prisoner. It was a type of training for my attention, and you learn to prioritize.

Were there unpredictable incidents from time to time during your visits to the County Jail? A public library of people who aren't incarcerated is much more unpredictable!

Describe an unpredictable incident that occurred at Albany Library. I can't isolate anything, but it's full of hilarity. There is always a range of things. I'll be helping someone with the kids' summer reading game, and the kids really want to play, and then someone wants something serious. It's the best job in the world, and you can make mistakes if you don't listen.

When you already have so much experience, why is a degree necessary? It's necessary for advancing in the county and to provide really good services. The degree is in library and information science. The "highest-use" things at the library are the computers, so knowing databases and how computers are interacting is really helpful. It's not the most exciting part of the training to be a librarian, but it's the most pragmatic.

What is your impression of Albany? I enjoy coming to work. In Albany the curiosity level is so high, at all ages. Also, I work with the Tuesday night poetry readings, and I love that. The work is of high quality, and people are not intimidated, but encouraged to express themselves.