About the library > Library News > Librarian Sara Ryan is two-time Oregon Book Award winner
Librarian Sara Ryan is two-time Oregon Book Award winner
Congratulations to Multnomah County Library's Teen Services Specialist Sara Ryan, who recently won an Oregon Book Award in the young adult fiction category for The Rules for Hearts. Described by School Library Journal as celebrating "the process of becoming an adult without providing any easy answers," The Rules for Hearts is a companion to Ryan's previous novel, Empress of the World, also an Oregon Book Award winner.
In addition to writing novels, Ryan also collaborates on short comics with artists like her husband, the cartoonist Steve Lieber. How does she balance her day job with this other compelling creative work? "Sometimes it's challenging to be both a librarian and a writer," she admits. "I worry about conflict of interest, probably excessively, and I often don't get a lot of sleep."
Nonetheless, Ryan finds her work with teens at the library highly rewarding. "I love teens' honesty, their enthusiasm, and the great ideas they contribute when you approach them with respect," she notes. Ryan has been instrumental in establishing numerous avenues for teen involvement at the library, including ongoing Teen Lounges at various library locations, which give teens the opportunity to work on homework and socialize in a safe and constructive environment.
Sara Ryan's award-winning books are available from the Multnomah County Library. Visit her website for more information about her life as a writer.