Robin Bowers

Robin is the branch administrator at the Walkersville branch of the Frederick County Public library system.

She’s been working with Frederick County Public libraries for 14 years and has been the branch administrator at Walkersville for 6 years. Since she began working with the Walkersville community, she has committed her team to working to create lasting community events and opportunities to build a shared community experience. Robin is a lifetime Frederick County resident.

Question and Answer Session

For our Q&A session, our current members submit questions to ask the member of the month. They are a mix of business, personal and random questions.

WBPA:  What do you like to do in your spare time?

Robin Bowers:  “I have many children so they are my spare time. Basically, I’m their personal Uber.”

WBPA:  Have you always lived in the Walkersville area?

Robin Bowers:  “My grandparents used to run the store on Maple Ave and we would come there a lot in the summer to “help”.

WBPA:  What do you like most about your job??

Robin Bowers:  “I like the service aspect of my job, working with the community, getting people what they need.”

WBPA:  What was your first job? What do you remember most about your first job?

Robin Bowers:  “My first official job was waiting tables. I think everyone should do it once in their life. It’s an experience that will forever effect the way you interact with staff working in public service. It definitely humbles you and makes you realize how much a little kindness goes a long way.”

WBPA:  What’s the career highlight you’re most proud of?

Robin Bowers:  “I’m most proud of the programs we have created that fill the needs of the community, the summer lunch programs for kids, creating community-building events, opening this amazing new building. I’m also most proud of the team of staff I have at the library. They are an incredible group of people who are always willing to roll with a good idea and are flexible enough to figure out how to make anything happen. They care about and support each other and the community like no place I’ve ever seen.”

Robin Bowers, October 2020 Member of the Month

WBPA:  What career advice would you give to your younger self?

Robin Bowers:  “Don’t think about what’s happening now. Think about what going to be in demand five or ten years from now. Be creative and follow what you want to do rather than just do what is expected of you.”

WBPA:  What changes do you see in the future for your industry?

Robin Bowers:  “I think the effects of COVID have profoundly changed a lot of industries, including the library. Our jump into virtual programming and curbside service will probably be staples of libraries from now on. We have been able to try a lot of things that we only thought about before but are now using as our main method of service and access for our customers.”

WBPA:  What’s your favorite hobby? What could you spend hours doing and love it?

Robin Bowers:  “I love planting things and watching them grow…or not! Putting together my flower beds and planter boxes in the spring is something I always look forward to.”

WBPA:  Who do you admire most in the world?

Robin Bowers:  “I admire my kids because no matter how tough it gets they just brush it off and just keep going. I can’t wait to see what they become. They are fierce and independent and they don’t let anything stand in their way.”