This is the latest entry in 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”.
Kristen Wack
What is your background?
I grew up in a small college town in southwest Pennsylvania. Graduated with a BS in Finance from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Moved to Richmond in 1987 and never looked back. Began work in public sector finance and accounting in 1989. I’m a proud mother of three fabulous, musically talented children – two sons Brendan (30), Michael (27) and my stepdaughter Julia (20). I live in rural Rockville where my husband and I care for five cats and, since May, eight hens and a rooster.
How do you explain what you do to others?
Usually when I tell people I work in public sector finance and accounting, they reply “how nice!” and then we talk about the weather.
Have you held other positions at the Library? If so, what?
Nope! I’m happy right where I am.
How has technology affected your current job?
When I began my career in ’87 we worked with lead pencils, 10-key calculators, and green ledger paper. Lotus 1-2-3 was the emerging technology—so exciting… Now, I can work from home almost 100% of the time and have nearly instant access to easily verifiable data that we can compile pretty much on demand and it’s AWESOME!
Describe your best day at the Library of Virginia.
I remember back in 2005 when I worked across the street at City Hall. I used to come over to the café [at the Library] for lunch and just loved walking through the tall glass doors to see all those beautiful books from the ground floor and so many people chattering and milling about, eating their lunches on every available space. When I was hired in 2015, I couldn’t believe my luck that I got to work there every day. I really do miss those days terribly and hope one day we can restore some semblance of that wonderfully vivacious atmosphere.
What was your first paid job?
I bussed tables at a steakhouse in college and had to wear a dark brown polyester ‘newsboy’ cap.
What would people be surprised to find out about you?
I’m a novice homesteader and learning new skills every day. I love the feeling of accomplishment it gives me—that is, when I don’t make a complete mess of a project.
