WHAT I'M READING
I grew up in an exurb of Pittsburgh, ventured north to Meadville for college before finally returning to the city complete my graduate studies at the University of Pittsburgh in 2018. My love of the city and the people has kept me here ever since! In my personal life, I am an eclectic artist, paranormal podcast connoisseur, devourer of graphic novels, collector of antiques and tattoos, devoted cat mom, amateur graphic and interior designer, and proud yinzer. I am many things—a jack of many trades, a master of none, perhaps—but that's how I like it! Life's learning is never done.
Professionally, I've worked in libraries since 2014, starting out as a student worker in an academic library but moving to public libraries shortly after graduating with my MLIS degree. I am currently employed as a Children's Librarian at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. In the past, I have also worked as:
Hello there! I'm Mikayla (she/her), a librarian & artist from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania ~
Prior to receiving my MLIS, I earned my Bachelor of Arts from Allegheny College in 2017. I studied psychology with a minor in astronomy. During my time there, I was also the Editor-in-Chief/Graphic Designer for the student-run Overkill Literary Magazine, and completed my award-winning senior thesis on the power of empathy and perspective-taking in inducing compassion and public understanding for people experiencing homelessness,. This research which has directly informed my experience working with the public in a large urban public library setting.