Interview with Dean Jones, Circulation Supervisor at the Hurwich Library.
By Josh White, Summer 2011
Where do you live?
Napa
How long have you been in the San Francisco Bay Area?
19 years
Family?
One son. Joshua, 17.
Where did you move from and when?
Moved here in 1992, from San Diego.
Do you own any pets?
One cat named Rebecca.
Favorite activities? Hobbies?
Cooking. Like to make bread jams and jellies. Looking forward to strawberry season to make some
strawberry jam.
How long have you worked here?
5.5 years.
Where did you work before here?
Contra Costa Times Newspaper, Assistant supervisor of an Ad Sales art department.
I also was in the Air Force as a medical administrator. I got to travel and see the world.
How long have you been in library sciences?
Got a certificate in library sciences, this is the first library job (paying) that I have had.
What led you to your profession?
I was a manager of bookstore chain. I always worked with books and always wanted to keep working
with published media. Worked with many different archives, like a railroad archive. I really wanted to
work with archived materials in one form or another.
Most memorable moments at Alliant?
The times I have helped people get interlibrary loan requests when it has gotten down to the wire.
Working with student workers, I enjoy developing relationships with student workers and getting to know
about their amazing theses. I have a lot of respect for the students and the work they produce. But, it is
sad to see them go once they are done.
Favorite literature?
Big fan of horror. Currently reading old authors like: Neil Gaiman, Ray Bradbury, H.P.Lovecraft, and
works from the Arkham House Publishing Company in Rhode Island.
I also like non-fiction, books on religion, history, Medieval Europe, and I devour cook books. Favorite of
all time is the Cornbread Gospels by Crescent Dragonwagon.
If you survived a fiery nuclear apocalypse and only 3 books did not burn, what books would you want them to
be?
Do you have advice for Alliant students?
Keep working hard and you will get through it. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. I have seen so
many students think they won't make it but they do.