Meet the Libby Librarians — Claire Weibel

Of course, you know Libby. And now, you’ve also met Maria, Meghan, Shelia, Kate, Sarah, Tori and Holly through our spotlight series on the librarians who work at Libby. And now we’re excited to introduce another librarian... Claire! From horror and mysteries to unexpected rabbit holes and niche subgenres, this Libby librarian reads a little bit of everything. Get to know the librarian supporting NAPL libraries across New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia—and find out which titles she’s recommending to library lovers.

What's in your mug?

Coffee! Grounds & Hounds is my favorite, and my go-to is their Homeward Breakfast Blend. By the afternoon I try to back off to green tea though. 

What's a reading hill you'll die on?

Audiobook are books, and listening to audiobooks is reading. Thank you and goodnight.

Describe your reading style in 3-5 words.

Eclectic, mysterious, curiosity-satiating, and immersive.

I will truly read a little bit of everything. Horror books and mysteries tend to be my favorites, but I also will get curious about a subject and get sucked in, or get caught up in a specific theme or subgenre. Once I get on a certain vibes train, it's hard for me to get off. For example, sometimes I'm just really into nature-centered nonfiction or travel memoirs and I'll run with that for a while. Or I get into graphic novels or literary fiction and basically stick with that until my attention wanders towards something else. 

Whatever genre I'm reading, I like my books to feel really immersive with a strong voice – whether it's fiction or nonfiction. I want to feel like the author is pulling me straight into the page and like I have a deep connection with the protagonist, narrator, or author.

Ebooks or audiobooks?

I’m definitely an audiobook reader. I feel like it’s hard for me to find the time to sit and read the way I’d like to lately, so I always have an audiobook on the go, whether I’m running errands, walking dogs, or cooking dinner. I also love to listen to audiobooks while I run, particularly on my weekend long runs. I find that having a good story helps the miles fly by, and I sometimes get so engrossed that I lose track of time completely. 

I do still love to have a physical book in progress at all times, and I try to read before bed every night or on the weekends. And I always load up on ebooks before I travel – I try to keep my carry-on bag light while having access to plenty of books! 

If you could only ever read one book again, what would it be? 

I feel like my answer to this question could change every single day, but right now my answer is The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton. It’s one of those books that hits me differently every time I read it, so reading it through different phases in my life would never get boring. Each re-read leaves me with an entirely new experience, and I understand certain pieces of the story differently. 

What book do you wish you could read again for the first time? 

I don't think I could ever claim to have a favorite book, but  Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson comes pretty darn close for me. I read this book to lead a discussion for my public library’s book club, and every page surprised and delighted me. I would love to experience the joy of discovering this book all over again, which is why it’s one of the books I recommend most often. A woman named Lillian agrees to be a nanny for her old roommate’s two stepchildren. The catch? When the twins get agitated, they spontaneously combust. Lillian is a fantastic flawed-yet-relatable protagonist and seeing her bond with the kids she’s looking after as they build their own found family is incredibly heartwarming. This book is hilarious, weird, and emotional, and it’s one that I continue to think about years later.

What inspired you to become a librarian? 

I wasn't entirely sure what I wanted to do after college, but my cousin Kathleen was a librarian. One year at Thanksgiving she saw me asking someone what they liked to read and what they were interested in and then offering some recommendations. She pulled me aside and said that she knew I was just chatting about books for fun, but I had just done a reference interview. She told me I should think about becoming a librarian. The idea of being able to take my passion and actually work with books was amazing, and it was the confirmation I needed to explore that route further. I ended up volunteering at a few libraries before going to grad school for my MLIS. 

I'm so glad I went this route! I wanted to find an opportunity where I would always be learning, problem solving, helping people, and working with my passion, and librarianship ticked all those boxes. 

What did you do before becoming a Libby librarian?  

Before libraries I worked in publicity for the arts in Chicago. I worked at Steppenwolf Theatre Company and the Art Institute of Chicago, and during that time I volunteered with public programs at the Newberry Library, which I loved. 

After I went back to school for my Master of Library and Information Science, I worked in both public libraries and archives. I ended up falling in love with public libraries and worked in Adult Reference before making my way to OverDrive. 

What’s one thing about being a librarian you wish more people understood? 

"Wow, it must be nice to be able to read at work all day." No! Librarians are not sitting around reading on the clock. We are way too busy, so even though it's a big part of our job to know about the latest books and have an understanding of books across all genres, we're doing the reading off the clock on our own time. I think there's this lovely idea that libraries are a peaceful sanctuary where librarians can sit and gather knowledge all day long. While there are pieces of truth to this, libraries are actually busy hubs of activity, from programs and story times to book discussions and patron assistance. Even when librarians do have a few quiet minutes to themselves, they may be ordering books, planning their next event, organizing upcoming book displays, or doing reference interviews online. While libraries are and should be peaceful sanctuaries for readers, they are certainly not quiet,  still, or boring.

What's the last book you read? 

I listened to Dead Weight by Hildur Knútsdóttir. It's an Icelandic slow-burn thriller about a woman named Unnur who, by the intervention of a black cat who shows up at her apartment, befriends the cat's owner Ásta. Over time the women become close, and when Unnur becomes aware of some trouble in Ásta's life, things take a turn towards the violent. This quick read is intense, suspenseful, and a twisted ode to female friendship. 

Your best reading advice? 

If you find yourself in a reading rut, try something totally different than what you usually reach for. When I find myself having trouble getting back into reading I like to read comics and graphic novels, short story collections, and young adult fiction. The different formats, audiences, and content help shake something loose in my brain, and I often find myself flying through my next few books. 

Come back next month for another behind‑the‑scenes look at another of our Libby librarians and be sure to subscribe to our weekly newsletter so you don’t miss out.