Eric began volunteering at the San Marco Library in August 2023. Since then, he has logged around 90 hours while working as a lawyer in the United States Navy Judge Advocate General's (JAG) Corps. “Think Tom Cruise in A Few Good Men,” he said.
# What inspired you to volunteer for the library?
Libraries, and Jacksonville Public Library specifically, are a valuable community resource, and I think everyone should do what they can to contribute to their community. Personally, libraries have helped me out a lot as a place to study and a source of knowledge, so I wanted to give back.
# What is the most rewarding part about volunteering for the library?
It’s great seeing a kid get really interested in a certain topic and wanting to explore the different resources the library has on it.
# What is your favorite task at the library as a volunteer and why?
I mostly do the shelving and preparing transfers, but even that gives me joy because I get to see all of the interesting resources the library has. Since I started, my “Books to Read” and “Movies to Watch” lists have skyrocketed!
# You use the library’s services, as well as volunteer here. What do you wish more people knew about the library system?
It’s not just books and not just brick-and-mortar! The Library has a ton of online resources and events for all ages.
# Favorite genre to read? Any recommendations for a favorite book?
I read a lot of nonfiction. Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City by Matthew Desmond and A People’s History of the United States by Howard Zinn were eye-opening perspectives, but my all-time favorite is In the Heart of the Sea by Nathaniel Philbrick.
Fun Fact: Shortly after Eric started volunteering, he didn’t show up for his scheduled volunteer shift. A couple of days later, he emailed, “Apologies for missing my volunteer hours this week with no notice. I was out on a Navy submarine with no communications and delayed getting back until today.” As far as excuses go, his was pretty good.
