DPPL People - Meet Angy Socha!

If it's not impolite to say I have a favorite part of my own blog, PlainTalk, then I will say it: I really enjoy the monthly "DPPL People" feature.

Not because I'm lazy and it gives me a chance to lay low, but because it lets me shine the spotlight on my wonderful coworkers. This month's featured DPPL person is no exception. Angy Socha, from our Circulation department, is just one of those people who makes things happen and yet never loses the smile on her face. I can see, every time she interacts with other staff members or with the public, that she loves her work and consequently people respond to her with appreciation and gladness. if you're a Des Plaines Public Library patron, you've undoubtedly encountered Angy at the Information/Registration desk, checking out materials, helping folks pick up their held items, taking care of overdue fines and registering people for new library cards.

If a patron writes a compliment for our suggestion box, there's a good chance it's about Angy. Like a lot of people at DPPL, she's known for going above and beyond. If you attended last year's Centennial Croquet Tournament, you saw Angy's lovely artwork, depicting characters from "Alice in Wonderland." At our "Do the Dewey" fundraiser, she helps out in the kitchen, providing seemingly miraculous platters of food that never diminish! And to prove she's a favorite amongst her coworkers, Angy was the hands-down winner of our "Christmas Sweater" competition at the staff holiday breakfast, earning the kind of enthusiastic cheers usually reserved for rock stars and athletes...Here, Angy tackles our DPPL People Questionnaire, giving you a chance to get to know one of our best and brightest. Take it away, Angy!

1) Three words that describe your current state of mind are...
Introspective, grateful and optimistic.

2) What is your most treasured possession?
My freedom.

3) What is your greatest extravagance? I will occasionally pay exorbitant amounts of money for really good theater tickets.

4) Who are your favorite writers? Jane Austen and Charles Dickens (I'm a Classics girl). I also like everything by Amy Tan.

5) Who are your favorite heroes of fiction (in writing, film, drama)? The heroines in Jane Austen's novels. They were strong, independent women in a society that was narrow and restricting. Also, Superman.

6) Name three persons/characters from history with whom you would like to have dinner. Only three? Victor Frankl, Jane Austen and Francis of Assisi.

7) Who are your heroes in real life? Ordinary people who are not afraid to stretch beyond their comfort zones in order to make a difference in the world.

8) What or who is the greatest love of your life? My babies: my children and grandchildren.

9) Who is your favorite artist? Vincent Van Gogh. He was pure of heart and lived for his art. And his colors are magnificent!

10) Who is your favorite musician? There are too many good ones to choose just one, but I really like Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schoenberg, who wrote the music to "Les Miserables" and "Miss Saigon."

11) The quality you admire most in a man is... Kindness.

12) The quality you admire most in a woman is... Kindness.

13) Biggest pet peeve? Pettiness

14) Favorite food? Veggie pizza

15) What three words would your closest friends use to describe you? Warm, intelligent and witty (and, of course, humble, whoops...that's four!)

16) Why did you choose to work in a library? I've always loved libraries. They are the keepers of knowledge, culture and freedom of thought. I also love working in, and serving my community.

17) What is your favorite thing about the Des Plaines Public Library? The people.

18) Name one, and only one, "desert island" book, CD or movie. Only one. A nice, thick volume of world history. Reading about the collective human experience would help put my situation in perspective.

19) The movie of your life -- who plays the role of you and what song plays over the closing credits? Valerie Bertinelli - before Jenny Craig. The song would be "Now and Forever" by Carole King.