Hello! Ciao! Bonjour! Hola! Kon’nichiwa!
My name is Sarah Hope, and I am the author of the blog you are currently visiting. I do indeed go by “Sarah Hope” in true Southern double-name tradition (just like Thelma Lou on The Andy Griffith Show and Mary Ann on Gillian’s Island if anyone else watches 60s sitcoms). I am definitely Southern in personality, sometimes even in speech, having been born and raised in Kentucky.
The 5 different greetings you saw illustrate my passion to travel the world. Thus far, I have explored cities in: Japan, Italy, Greece, England, France, & the United States.
I believe there are 3 ways for all individuals (regardless of age) to further their abilities and be better capable of success in the twenty-first century in the following pursuits: read 📚a wide array of books, articles, and information on the Internet, learn 🤔how to express themselves, communicate with others, engage with various technologies, grow 🦋as life-long learners and responsible global citizens. In case you haven’t noticed yet, I chose to call this blog Read+Learn=Grow! because I firmly believe life-long learners engage in all three, often recursively.
Education
- MS in Library & Information Science (pending May 2024)
- MS in Library Media Education
- BS in Early Elementary Education
Professional Experience
- 2022 to Present in Pennsylvania: Reference/Circulation/Children’s Assistant
Here’s where I feel like being a “true librarian” began for me! Mostly, I answer information questions in the library, by telephone, and by email, while providing reader’s advisory guidance to patrons of all ages. Some book displays and a smidge of programming on the side round out my responsibilities, as well as working one weekly shift at the Circulation desk. I am voluntarily cross-trained in all three Public Services Areas. - 2019 to 2022 in Pennsylvania: School Library Media Specialist
Split between 2 entire elementary school buildings of ~900 K-5 students. - 2016 to 2018 in Kentucky: School Library Media Specialist
Started my librarian career as a school library media specialist (that’s a fancy way to say “school librarian”); worked in 3 different elementary buildings (one of which was actually a K-8 private school).
Favorite Books
I primarily read historical fiction and Christian fiction in various sub-genres (mostly WW2) with some classics, cozy mysteries, narrative non-fiction, and still an occasional children’s book (commonly referred to collectively here as kidlit). Some of my favorites are:
- The Butterfly and the Violin by Kristy Cambron (Christian historical fiction/dual timelines/WW2)
- Code Girls: The Untold Story of The American Women Code Breakers Who Helped Win World War II
by Liza Mundy (narrative non-fiction/WW2) - Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery (kidlit/classic/historical/coming of age/Canadian)
- Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder (kidlit/classic/historical/coming of age/pioneer)
- We Are in a Book! by Mo Willems (kidlit/funny)
- Stuart Little by E. B. White (kidlit/fantasy/heartwarming)
- Absolutely Truly by Heather Vogel Frederick (kidlit/mystery)
In my spare time, I enjoy reading (natch), Bible study, traveling, dancing, musical theatre, yoga, crocheting, being with my family and friends, and blogging/making book videos.
I would not wish to darken any other life
– I want instead to be a
messenger of optimism and sunshine.
~ L. M. Montgomery
Happy RLGing!
Sarah Hope Tyler
📚🤔🦋
