Meet Kasie Janssen, the newest addition to the Preservation Lab, located on UC’s Campus. Employed by the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, she will be filling the position, Senior Conservation Assistant.
Welcome Kasie!
Chris Voynovich: What drew you to conservation?
Kasie Janssen: Actually, I was applying to go to library school at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. My initial interest was in archiving but there was not a graduate assistantship available in the archives, but there was in conservation. That was my first introduction to the field of conservation. The heavens opened because my background was English and studio art. It was the perfect melding of books, literature and tactile materials. After that, I went through two years of library school while working in the conservation lab at UIUCC.
Chris: You came from a Conservator of Special Projects position at the Newberry. What are you looking for in this Senior Conservation Assistant position in the Preservation Lab at the Public Library of Cincinnati?
Kasie: I am excited and looking forward to concentrating on the technical side of conservation where my responsibilities are focused on collection treatment.
Chris: Do you like Charles Dickens?
Kasie: Yes. How did you know that?! My favorite is David Copperfield. I’ve read it almost four times. I love and have read all his novels. My interest started in undergraduate school. It was a kind of a love-hate relationship. To me, they were initially kind of dense, but I loved the humor and that was what hooked me.
Chris: So you like the Green Bay Packers?
Kasie: Yes. I grew up watching football in Wisconsin. I am a lifelong Packers fan. My husband likes hockey, the Anaheim Ducks, so these are my two main sports to watch.
Chris: What do you know about Cincinnati or the Tri-State?
Kasie: Not a lot. I’ve heard about the food scene and I’ve heard of the East side vs. West side rivalry!
Chris: Do you have a favorite conservation project you have done?
Kasie: One of the most surprising items I was able to prepare for an exhibit was an Oscar, for Ben Hecht’s screenplay for the 1927 film Underworld, which won the Academy Award for Best Original Screen Play. It was cool to hold an Oscar, which is heavier than you would expect.
Chris: What kind of treatments do you like doing most?
Kasie: I like repairing a book from start to finish. It’s a satisfying feeling of accomplishment when I get a book that is completely falling apart and can do all the treatments necessary to repair.
Chris: Favorite book?
Kasie: Life of Pi, by Yann Martel.
Chris: Favorite musical artist?
Kasie: I like Folk, 80’s, Indie, depends on my mood.
Chris: Favorite movie?
Kasie: Shawshank Redemption.
Chris: If you could travel anywhere where would you go?
Kasie: I like traveling places that have a lot of nature. I guess New Zealand though it is pretty far away. The flight is intimidating, and I know it would take a long time to get there.
Chris: Do you have any hobbies?
Kasie: I like hiking and biking. It’s nice to see a hill again after coming from the flat-lands of Chicago. 😀
Chris: What is your favorite flavor birthday cake?
Kasie: Chocolate with chocolate icing.
Chris: Do you prefer coffee or tea?
Kasie: Coffee.
Chris: Do you play any musical instruments?
Kasie: No. I’ve played piano and flute but not in 5 years. I sing sometimes…(when no one hears me).
Chris: Do you have any pets?
Kasie: I have a cat and a dog. The cat’s name is Dany, short for Daenerys Targaryen from Game of Thrones. My dog’s name is Brie, short for Brienne of Tarth. She is a Greyhound and she is a couch potato.
Chris: How many cities have you lived in?
Kasie: Five states; I was born and raised in Wisconsin. As an adult, I’ve lived in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Houston, Texas, Wisconsin, and Champagne, Illinois for Grad school. I moved to Chicago for my first job after Library school – and now to Cincinnati! But my favorite is Wisconsin because it feels like home.
Chris: What is your favorite book structure to make?
Kasie: I like Long Stitch bindings. The sewing structure on the outside of the spine is beautiful and so customizable. But I always like to learn new binding structures.
Chris: Who do you think has influenced you most personally?
Kasie: My mom because we are really close. She is a very independent and active person. I feel like I’ve tried to follow those qualities. She is not afraid to try or get involved new things. She is a great lady.
Chris: Do you lean more toward Vampires or Zombies?
Kasie: Zombies. I do think the conservation lab would be a great place to be during a Zombie Apocalypse because we have all the sharp tools like a guillotine and scalpels. We know where the “safe house” is!
Interview by Chris Voynovich (PLCH) — Senior Conservation Assistant
