Suzanne Stewart
Staff Writer
Emily Castilleja loved the library when she was in school. So loved it so much she volunteered and worked during electives in her local libraries since middle school.
Although she never set out to be a librarian, she jumped at the chance to be a substitute librarian in the Pocahontas County Free Libraries system.
“I was super stoked and when I was asked to do part-time, I was even more stoked,” she said, laughing. “I feel like I’m living the dream right now, working here.”
Castilleja was hired in June to be the full-time librarian at Hillsboro Library, and she has enjoyed every second of serving the community and reading the books on the shelves.
She explains that her love for libraries comes from her curiosity to learn more about every possible subject. Although the internet existed when she was younger, it wasn’t as easy to just Google what you wanted to know, so Castilleja turned to books.
“The library holds such an amazing wealth of knowledge,” she said. “For example, what is synchronized swimming? I don’t know. You look it up and wow, I didn’t even know that was possible.
“Then you start learning about history and you’re like, ‘cool,’” she continued. “I’m terrible at math, so there are books on math, and they explain it to you. I always love that it satisfied my curiosity about things.”
As a reader, Castilleja says she is primarily drawn to non-fiction.
“I like reading about history, different viewpoints,” she said. “I like health and science. I am a huge science fan. Anything that has to do with biology research, medical research, I love that section.”
Even the fiction she reads has inspiration from non-fiction and historical events.
“I love the dystopian viewpoint of ‘the world is ending due to the crash of society’ kind of thing,” she said. “That’s actually how those authors normally start writing – it’s because they love history so much, they read about it and they’re like, ‘I’m going to make something that seems like it’s non-fiction, but actually it has a fantasy twist.’”
In addition to serving the community, the Hillsboro Library is used as a school library by Hillsboro Elementary students. Three days a week, all the students make the short trek to the library for a little enrichment and to check out books.
“They get a story read to them, they do a little craft, and they pick out a book,” she said. “It’s nice because it shows them a little bit of responsibility whenever they have to keep track of their book.”
Castilleja said she also likes to teach the students that it’s important to always introduce yourself, even if the person they are talking to is familiar with them.
When she is checking out their books, she always asks, “what’s your name?” They reply with “you know my name.” She acts confused and says, “I don’t think I do.”
It’s a fun little game that has become a ritual with the students.
While it’s obvious the library is a place for people to find books, there is much more to explore at Hillsboro Library. Among the collections are items that people can check out, including projectors, a sewing machine, fishing poles and a telescope.
There are also programs and classes offered at the library for those interested in enriching their minds and improving their abilities.
“During the spring, we’ll be starting up craft days,” Castilleja said. “We’re going to work with WVU Extension to get different gardening and canning classes and different things like that to help people who homestead or want to.”
As for what she is currently reading, it should be no surprise that the book is non-fiction and part of the library’s collection.
“I’m reading this book by Han Kang,” Castilleja said. “In October, she won the Nobel Prize. I’m reading Human Acts. It’s about how after North Korea and South Korea separated, South Korea still had fascist dictatorship rolling around and they were really swept under the rug for a long time.
“I had heard about Han Kang, and then we had a lovely patron drop off four of her books and as soon as I got them catalogued, I was like, ‘I’m reading this!’”
The book, which was originally written in Korean, was translated to English and Castilleja said the translator did a great job of keeping the tone and meaning behind the words.
“It is a really good book, and [Kang] is such an amazing writer,” she said. “I can’t even imagine how hard that translator had to work to keep the same feel when translating it.”
She adds that the book can be a difficult read because of its subject matter.
“It’s a really sad and terrible book,” she said. “It’s very well written and very well translated, but, of course, it’s one of those books where you read and you’re like ‘I’m going to sit here and stare at the ceiling for a little while.’”
The love of books and libraries runs in the family – Castilleja’s younger sister, Jessica Walton, is the librarian at Durbin Public Library.
“She’s pretty great,” Castilleja said.
The Hillsboro Library is open Tuesdays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.