For being someone who loves talking and interacting with everybody, Dawn Ferencz admits that the first few years of working the library were rather lonely.

“I absolutely love to talk and interact with people, and I don’t think that is something I did in maybe my first few years here,” Ferencz said. “I was just waiting for people to talk to me, and they don’t always.”

Anybody who knows Ferencz would be surprised to hear that. During her first few years here at Elk Grove, Ferencz felt that loneliness but knew that she wanted to change that. And she did. The library is now one of the most lively spots at Elk Grove, and much of this can be credited to Ferencz’s personality.

“I think it’s nice to have connections,” Ferencz said. “And I think this job lets me be your cheerleader, no matter what.”

Before Ferencz was a librarian, she was an English teacher doing all of the things a normal English teacher would do to try and get her class to get to know each other more.

“I think there’s a difficulty there because students don’t owe you their business, and they don’t owe you their stories,” Ferencz said. 

Ferencz said she really understands the student body and what is going on in their lives. Her words and her kind, bubbly presence have made students of all ages feel welcome to the library.

“I think maybe just being here long enough people know me or trust me, and that’s awesome, because I wouldn’t trade that for anything,” Ferencz said.