Meet Our Staff: Queen's Square Fiction

You will find Chris and Leah in the Fiction area of our Queen’s Square location, always ready to help you find your next great read and other library items to borrow. 

Chris began as a Member Services, Casual employee in 2022, and soon became a permanent member of the Information Services and Interlibrary Loan teams. 

Leah, an Information Specialist, and a magical unicorn in human form, feels it’s her mission to spread love and kindness through books. She has been working at Queen’s Square for almost 17 years now. 

Visit them for help finding a title you are seeking or some awesome book recommendations.

What current project of yours are you most excited about?

Chris: I am currently preparing to attend the Ontario Association of Library Technicians/ABO conference in Hamilton. As a trained Library and Information Technician, I am excited to have the opportunity to meet other technicians, and to learn about a variety of new technologies and innovations that are coming to the library world!

Leah: Oh man! It’s hard to name just one project that I’m excited about because we do so many cool programs at the library. But I can’t wait for summer because we have a new in-person book club at Queen’s Square on the first Wednesday of every month from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm. 

I also want to mention that I love our Summer Adult Reading Club: it starts July 2 and you can win prizes for reading! Fun, reading, and prizes? How can you go wrong?!

What are your hidden talents or hobbies?

Chris: I am a huge video game fan. I am a big Tactical RPG/MMORPG player, but also play chill games like Stardew Valley, and more intense games like Overwatch (though I’ll never claim to be good at any of them). 

I also love spending time with my two dogs, Crunchie and Oh Henry. They are a handful but I could never ask for better cuddle buddies.

Leah: I’m great at trivia because I have a good memory and a lot of semi-useless information in my head! 

I’ve been told I’m pretty good at singing and dancing. I love karaoke so you can often find me at a restaurant, singing and rapping my heart out! My favourite artists to do are Ben E. King, Chris Isaak, Salt-N-Pepa, Beastie Boys, Lady Gaga, Lizzo, LL Cool J,  and Miranda Lambert.

What is your favourite book to re-read or movie to re-watch?

Chris: It’s a little embarrassing to admit, but I have re-read the Sookie Stackhouse book series by Charlaine Harris more times than I can count. Although I am not the target audience for this series, it has definitely become my comfort read and it always gets me out of any reading funk. 

I also do an Avatar: The Last Airbender/Legend of Korra marathon at least once a year. Flame-o hotman!

Leah: I’m a big fan of old-school romance and adventure, so I turn to authors LaVyrle Spencer and Jean Auel for my comfort reading. Spencer’s books Morning Glory and The Endearment are beautiful historical romances that I think anyone would enjoy. I also love the classic Clan of the Cave Bear by Auel. Ayla’s struggle to survive in the changing world of Neanderthals and humans gets me every time!