What are your favorite things about the Fayetteville Public Library?

I love that it’s a truly public space. The building itself is so inviting: open, bright, colorful, and engaging in design. It is the perfect sort of place to inspire people to read.

Why do you support your local library?

I am committed by profession and by conviction to cultural education, and what could be a more important local mainstay for cultural education than the town library? Fayetteville is fortunate to have one that pursues this goal so actively and creatively, in a way that welcomes community members of all ages and backgrounds.

If you were stranded on a desert island with only one book, what would it be?

Beethoven’s Thirty-Two Piano Sonatas. Guess I’d have to assemble an instrument out of coconuts...

What was your favorite childhood book?

I spent hours during my childhood in St. Petersburg, Russia poring over an illustrated, hardbound Russian translation of Kon-Tiki, an account by the Norwegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl of an expedition to Polynesia by raft. The drawings seemed to promise so much adventure; I didn’t know at the time that I’d soon have an adventure of my own when my family emigrated to Italy and finally to Germany.

What is your favorite memory or event attended at the Fayetteville Public Library?

I love the classical concerts, but on my most memorable library visit, my toddler son Alexander got his first library card. He pulled up alongside the shelves, and sauntered along proudly, somewhat possessively, and very loudly tapping each book. We started to attract some looks, so that visit, although memorable, was short. My son is also regularly transfixed by Baby Bookworms.

For your fantasy dinner, which four fictional characters would you invite?

Mr. Spock, Sherlock Holmes, Ostap Bender, and Odysseus.

What book are you recommending to friends?

Anything by Jacques Barzun.

What are your hobbies?

I enjoy reading, writing, running, listening to music, and obsessive cleaning.

What are some of your favorite things about Fayetteville?

Hands down, my favorite thing about Fayetteville is the people. I also love the landscape, which reminds me a little of the hills of the Black Forest surrounding the town where I spent most of my childhood: Freiburg, Germany. My family and I enjoy all the parks, particularly Lake Fayetteville. I also appreciate the vibrant and stimulating university community.

Favorite place in the library to meet friends?

Arsagas! To be honest, I would go there even if there weren’t a library attached.

Favorite place in the library to read?

The terrace. What a view!