Meet Vivian Fisher! African American Department Manager
Enoch Pratt Free Library/Maryland’s
What do you do?
I manage the African American Department’s daily operations. In addition to that, I present workshops and programs to librarians and various groups throughout the State of
How did you get here?
I came to Pratt in 1983 as a Young Adult Librarian for Neighborhood Services. I worked at other institutions before coming back to Pratt part-time where I worked in the Maryland Department on Sunday’s. In 2000, I came back to Pratt to manage the new African American Department that was being built as part of the Pratt’s annex expansion.
What’s your favorite thing about your job?
What comes to mind immediately is my interaction with the public and assisting them with finding information about African Americans. My training as a reference librarian has rewarded me with assisting the public with their reference needs. I enjoy programming and giving presentations about African American life, history, and culture. My training as a historian coupled with my library skills allows me to give customers the best service I can.
What’s a book that you did not expect to like—but did?
Toni Morrison is one of my favorite authors. When Beloved was published I was excited about reading it, but I soon discovered that it was moving slowly for me. I put it down three times before I decided that I was going to make every effort to complete the book. I was not expecting to like the book because it was a slow read for me, but as I continued to read it I found that I was enjoying the characters and plot more because it was based partly on historical fact and I was familiar with Margaret Garner’s story who sacrificed her children’s lives so that they would not return to the cruel life of slavery.
What is your favorite SLRC program, service, or training?
The African American Department presents a Brown Lecture Series at least twice a year. The Brown Lecture Series honors Eddie and Sylvia Brown, whose financial generosity endowed the African American Department. I truly enjoy programming and the variety of African American programs that we have at Pratt. I also enjoy doing public programming for the public and librarians. Recently, my presentation, From Jazz to Hip Hop has been a very successful library program. Other programs that I have presented include African American Genealogy, and African American Art.
What do you do when you’re not reading?
I enjoy gardening, listening to music, arts & crafts, and traveling.
