Monica has been volunteering at Regency Square Library for over 2 years and has contributed over 102 hours. Every time, Monica comes in to volunteer, she is a shining beacon of positivity; it’s hard to find her without a smile. When Monica isn’t volunteering with the Library, she is a biology professor at Florida State College of Jacksonville.
What inspired you to volunteer for the Library?
I developed a love for reading later in life. After being told by my peers as a child that I read too slow, I over time developed a reenergized love for reading as an adult. This reenergized passion grew from coming to the library, especially the Regency branch.
What is the most rewarding part about volunteering for the Library?
Being able to help out and become more familiar with everything the Library has to offer people.
Is there anything you've learned about the Library since becoming a volunteer that you wish more people knew about?
I didn’t realize before becoming a volunteer how much the library is able to help kids (and their parents) grow and learn. There’s a community here to help and parents don’t have to feel like they’re in it alone. I wish that more parents and teachers in the community were aware of the resources available for their children through the library.
What do you enjoy the most about participating in Regency's Ex Calibris book club?
Before this one, I’ve never been in a book club that actually read the book before. All the other ones just used the book as an excuse to drink wine. In this book club, Benjamin (the facilitator) asks questions that really make you think about what you’ve read. Books are meant to broaden your worldview, and Benjamin picks out books that I never would have considered picking up before. I feel like my taste has changed and it’s hard for me to go back sometimes to the bodice-ripper romance novels I love.
What has been your favorite book so far?
My favorite book the book club has read so far was the Library of Mount Char by Scott Hawkins. It was the first time that I experienced moral relativism in a book, and it was mind blowing. My favorite series the Alex Verus series, by Benedict Jacka. It was the first time that I really wanted to devour book after book and actually wanted to reread it because I loved it so much.
Other than the book club books, is there another book that you would recommend everyone reads?
This was recently turned into a movie, but I didn’t watch the movie: It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover. This was the first book I read from the perspective of an abused person, and I felt like I understood why they were staying in the relationship in a way I hadn’t before. It really made me appreciate the psychological outlook of the situation. I do think though, if someone is interested in reading it, they should look up the trigger warnings before going in.
