Get to Know Novi Public Library - Jennifer Preston

This week we're featuring our resident YA expert and teen wrangler Jennifer!

1. What is your name and title?

Jennifer Preston, more known around these parts as simply “Jen.” I am the Information Services Librarian specializing in Teen Services.

2. How long have you been employed at NPL?

I have been employed at NPL for just over five years.

3. Describe your job in a nutshell.

Basically, if it has anything to do with tweens or teens at the Novi Library, it is under my realm. I order all of the Young Adult Fiction and Non-Fiction books. I also plan and conduct most all of the programming for kids in Grades 5 and up in the summer, and Grades 7 and up during the school year. I am the NPL staff liaison for the Teen Advisory Board which meets here at the library, and also the newly formed Middle School Advisory Board which meets at Novi Middle School. I am the staff person in charge of the Teen Space, the program we offer in our Meeting Room from 2-5 pm Monday-Friday during the school year for the high schoolers who come to the library each day. I am one of two librarians who coordinate our Battle of the Books for 5th and 6th graders.

4.  What is one of your favorite YA books?

This question is always so hard to answer, I have so many favorites for different reasons.  “Will Grayson, Will Grayson” by John Green & David Levithan is probably toward the top of my list, as is “If I Stay” by Gayle Forman. Two other favorites of mine are by Michigan authors, “Between Shades of Gray” by Ruta Sepetys and “Saving June” by Hannah Harrington.

5.  Who is your favorite muppet?

Kermit of course! He’s GREEN! Not quite Spartan Green, but close enough. 

6.  If you could go back in time to any era which one would it be?

I would have loved to have lived during my parents’ generation, the ‘60s – they have so many fond memories of what they always call a “simpler time.” Then I could have been alive for more of the ‘70s, which also fascinate me. Of course, the era of “Downton Abbey,” the 1920s, would have been cool as well- but only if I could have been a member of the Crawley family!