Vicki Janisch-Tri is not afraid of new or different things. In fact, St. Paul Academy’s new library assistant loves them. Janisch-Tri, or Ms. J.T., as she’s sometimes called, has a knack for jumping into things head-first, from birding to singing to connecting with students.
Janisch-Tri, as half of an entirely new library staff, knows the territory well. She grew up in St. Paul, and studied at the University of Minnesota in Crookston. Her first job in a library was as a peer professional at a middle school. Over an 11-year career there and a few classes, she became an expert in the library sciences. This year she “decided SPA was a good place to check into.” Janisch-Tri fits right in with the busy pace of life at SPA, with a number of hobbies and causes of her own. In addition to being a birder and an outdoorswoman, she is a GLBT-rights activist and, for the past five years, a member of One Voice Mixed Chorus. One Voice is Minnesota’s GLBTA chorus and the largest mixed chorus in the United States. The chorus sings at events around the state, especially in areas where GLBT people tend to be isolated. “That’s been the newest joy in my life,” she said, grinning.
Janisch-Tri’s greatest ambition at SPA is one of community. “Libraries are a place for students to use,” she said, “and they can really be the hub of a school.” Janisch-Tri hopes to help foster that environment. “I hope that students will come and introduce themselves,” she added. “I’d like to get to know as many names as possible.” Undoubtedly the students feel the same.
