Falls teen enjoys summer library job

Millions of teens lose themselves in a book every day. Jadelle Bjorkquist, an avid reader, has the opportunity to lose herself in a million books every day. Bjorkquist is working at the International Falls Public Library for the summer.
Bjorkquist, 15, is working at the library through the Northeast Office of Job Training’s summer youth employment program. The program is designed to assist 14-20-year-olds in realizing what skills they have to offer in the workplace. Career advancement opportunities offered include on-the-job training, career exploration, aptitude testing, a variety of workshops and the possibility of year-round employment.
Bjorkquist says the job is a good fit for her because she likes working with books.
“I love to read,” she said. “I read everything — fiction and nonfiction, but my favorite author is Janette Oak.”
This is Bjorkquist’s first summer working with the program. She says the job is teaching her about attendance. She spends her workdays shelving books and doing “miscellaneous tasks.”
“Whatever they need me to do, I do it,” she said.
Librarian Diane Adams, Bjorkquist’s supervisor, hopes the work program will give Bjorkquist a good work experience and help her build her resume. She says working with youth has benefited the library.
“It really frees up my staff,” she said.
Adams says working with young has been a positive experience. However, she does have one complaint: Bjorkquist is too well-behaved.
“Tell her she can talk more,” one library coworker exclaimed.
In the fall, Bjorkquist will begin 10th grade at Falls High School. The summer youth employment program has her thinking about her future beyond high school, as well.
“I want to be a teacher or a photographer,” she said. “And I want to go to college; I just don’t know which one yet.”
For more information about youth programs offered by the Northeast Minnesota Office of Job Training, call 1-800-325-5332, or visit online at www.jobtrainingmn.org.