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“7 Questions” is a series introducing LVA employees and exploring what they do day-to-day. If you are interested in what goes on behind the scenes entries in this series are collected under the tag 7 Questions. Other entries discussing the internal work of the Library of Virginia are filed under our new category “The Stacks”.

Cindy Marks

Cindy Marks

Communications & Marketing Specialist

What is your background?

I’m a small town girl who was wowed by the big city when I went to VCU and completely fell in love with Richmond. I created my own major that allowed me to combine math, computer science, and art. A weird combo brain of coding and creativity defines me in many ways. My ideal work keeps my brain churning on learning new things while giving me some “flow” time where I’m just visually problem-solving. I’ve done graphic design for many a small business who then, as it turned out, had no idea how to use social media or email marketing or build their website or manage a database. Since it all boils down to helping someone to look their best in the public eye, I’ve enjoyed playing in all these sandboxes and still do. A several year stint in managing at a what started as a small natural food store taught me a lot about customer service and meeting your audience where they are. (A hint on the store: I never thought the name being the two cross streets was going to fly. Who knew?)

How do you explain what you do to others?

“Everything is marketing, really.” (I do point out that I’m one of the few non-historians at the Library and have developed a tremendous respect for how much information everyone here can pack into their brain cells!)

Have you held other positions at the Library? If so, what?

My ongoing other position is “your pretend audience.”

How has technology affected your current job?

I love being immersed in tech and this has been my life for a long while, so mostly I feel lucky to be comfortable and able to help the Library during these transitions.

Describe your best day at the Library of Virginia.

I really enjoy meetings as long as they are untangling the problems. So a productive meeting or two where I gain new understanding on what someone at the Library really needs in order to help reach their audience. Grab a coffee. And then have the time to go off to my office and experiment with creating whatever is needed to solve their problem and make the Library as a whole look even better.

What was your first paid job?

Besides babysitting, I think it was being the art coordinator at an outside day camp. I’ve waited my share of tables and it doesn’t take me long to remember how to run a cash register.

What would people be surprised to find out about you?

I was married for several years to a drummer in a Goth band. We’re still friends.

Vince Brooks

Local Records Program Manager

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