Employee Spotlight: Erica Grunseth

Erica Grunseth Aug 2018Name: Erica Grunseth

Position at UWGB: Coordinator of Public Services – Cofrin Library

Summary of what you do:  Supervise the public services department. We deal with checking things in and out, technology, interlibrary loan, and library spaces. I supervise 2 permanent staff and 20-ish student employees. If you ask a student at the desk to talk to a manager, you’ll probably be talking to me!

How long have you been employed: I worked temp jobs through and after college. I was a library director in Abbotsford Wisconsin for 4 years before starting at UWGB in March of 2016.

Three words that describe you: Geeky, curious, friendly

Motto or personal mantra? It’s probably fine…

What book did you read last? The Letters of JRR Tolkien

What did you want to be when growing up? A librarian. Live your dreams!

What do you like most about your job? I became a librarian because I love helping people and I love information. Ask me questions!

What is the most important thing you have learned in the last five years? Nobody else is going to take responsibility for your happiness.

What is an ability you wish you had? Teleportation. It would be great to be able to visit my family and friends at any time.

Top 3 life highlights? My wedding, getting my MLIS, seeing the Tolkien archive.

What kinds of hobbies and interests do you have outside of work? I knit, cook, bake, play games (video and tabletop), hike, kayak, camp, sing, play ukulele and bass guitar, and occasionally record a podcast.

What is your favorite sport? Hockey

What celebrity do people think you look like? Someone once told me I looked like Jennifer Lawrence. I’m fairly skeptical of that.

What children’s character can you relate with most? Why? Moomin from the books by Tove Jansson. He just wants to live in peace, plant potatoes, and dream.

Where is your favorite place to eat? Kavarna.

What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten? I enjoy eating salmiakki. It’s salty black licorice. Yum!

What’s your favorite thing to do in Green Bay? I love going to the Saturday farmer’s market with my friends.

What is your favorite meal? I once made rosemary garlic venison tenderloin with pan sauce, roasted asparagus, and morel risotto. That was pretty good.

Best vacation you’ve been to? Visiting my brother and his family in Vancouver

Where would you like to go on a dream vacation? Finland

Where is your home town? Owen, Wisconsin

Describe what you were like at age 10. Geeky, curious, and painfully shy.