Leadership Greater Topeka | Jacqueline Belden
Photo by BRADEN DIMICK
What do you love most about your work?
I love that I get to report every day to a job where I can combine my lifelong love of literacy and learning with my passion for public service and leadership.
What have you learned from the pandemic?
The pandemic has shown me with clarity that there is joy in "missing out" (these days I have JOMO, not FOMO!). There are no more precious moments than the ones spent reading a book on my couch while sipping a coffee and snuggling with my dog.
What motivates you?
I am so motivated by growth and learning. I love learning something new every day in my work and in my personal life (I am a librarian, after all!), and I always seize opportunities to grow myself as a leader and as a person.
What are your core values?
Empathy, curiosity, service, humor, growth, and learning.
What 3 critical skills help you in your work?
A compassionate and empathetic approach to people management, a knack for strategic thinking, and strong commitments to accountability, equity, inclusion, and advocacy have been integral to my work as a public library leader.
What should one never take for granted?
The opportunity to tell a friend, family member, teammate, service worker, educator, or anyone else special how immeasurably much they or their work or their relationship with you matters.
What do you do for fun or to recharge?
I love reading, hiking, cooking, having a cocktail or coffee with friends, and spending time with my dog!
What’s the last series you binge-watched?
I am always re-watching Friends and New Girl, but my current binges-in-progress are Kindred (based on one of my favorite books!) and The White Lotus (who doesn't adore Jennifer Coolidge?).
What music artist do you never get tired of?
Young the Giant, Caamp, Hozier, and Lorde were all high on my 2022 Spotify Wrapped list!
What is your most used emoji?
It's a tie between the skull and the two pink hearts. What more do you need to know about my personality?!
What book are you reading now?
Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes. I live for feminist retellings of Greek myths! This one is about Medusa.
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