When it comes to librarians, little curly-haired women with spectacles aren't the only variety.
"I love public libraries a lot, and I love being here," said Tyler Whitten, assistant director for Auburn Public Library.
Whitten's library career began under the influence of a professor while he was earning his master's in history at Jacksonville State University.
"I knew it would open up at least two other avenues of employment," Whitten said.
Library school at the University of Alabama qualified Whitten to work at a university library or a public library. He had not yet completed his schooling before he landed the reference librarian job at the Auburn Public Library.
"I loved Auburn instantly," Whitten said. "There was really no process for me of having to become accustomed to the area."
Whitten began working in 2001, and when a technical services position was created to be filled in-house, Whitten transitioned into that role.
He became the assistant director in fall 2008 and now stays connected to every aspect of the library from his windowed office.
Whitten said one thing keeps him motivated.
"I think it goes back to enjoying my work and working with such great people and working for the City of Auburn," Whitten said. "It's a great place to work."
Others who work at the library feel the same way toward Whitten.
"He works to make sure that we are able to take off when we need to," said Carolyn Thompson, part-time library assistant. "I think more so, probably, than other folks would."
But creating staff schedules is not Whitten's only responsibility, and his abilities have been noticed even by those outside his staff.
"He's very structured, and he multitasks very well," said Kari Carpenter, children's librarian assistant and senior in history.
Carpenter doesn't work directly with Whitten, but said she hears positive things about him from others.
"He's very organized, and that's very important because as assistant director, he has so much responsibility," Carpenter said.
Whitten's multifaceted job includes interaction with patrons and staff, handling problems and working with books and technology, especially the launch of the library's new e-books program.
"He's very good with the technical (side)," Thompson said. "He's very detail-oriented."
Although Whitten stays active even when not at the library as a self-proclaimed swimmer, cyclist and runner, the library business itself is more involved than some people think.
"It's a lot of hard work," Whitten said. "A lot goes in to what you see here."
Cataloguing, labeling and processing new materials is a time-consuming task, Whitten said.
Although his job keeps him busy, he said that's how he likes it. He hasn't taken a full two-week vacation since he began his job, but he does like long weekends.
"I see myself retiring from the City of Auburn," Whitten said. "I have no plans to leave."
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