This winter, get to know the staff responsible for keeping the Johns Hopkins Sheridan Libraries and University Museums running. Today’s feature: Rebecca Rubenstein!
Who are you and what do you?
Hello! I am Rebecca Rubenstein and I am a Library Specialist in the MSE Reserves Services Department.
Tell us a little about your background.
I am originally from upstate New York, I went to undergraduate school in Pennsylvania and then moved to New York City where I lived for almost 20 years. I have an MFA from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY. My interest in librarianship grew out of my love for research in fine arts. I went on to get my Master of Library Science at Long Island University’s Palmer School. I started my librarianship career in public libraries before coming to Hopkins in June of 2023.
What is something people might be surprised to know about you?
I was in a book about happy dogs and their humans! This fun little book entitled DogJoy: The Happiest Dogs in the Universe includes a picture of me at about age 4 and my childhood dog, Tonala (see picture). I love dogs and was an avid reader of Bark Magazine. This picture had been originally been on the smiling dogs page of one issue of the magazine. When Bark published this book back in 2009 they asked to use my picture in the “First Friends” section.
What’s the best part about working at the Sheridan Libraries and Museums?
I enjoy working in the library because of my supportive team and the other wonderful staff we work closely with. My team’s work helps ensure that students have easy access to their course materials digitally and physically via print reserves. I also appreciate that working at Hopkins gives me continuous opportunities for learning new skills and expanding on previous knowledge.
What is your favorite hobby?
I have a few favorite hobbies! At the top of list are: taking my dog Jake on long walks, reading fiction and graphic novels and drawing. Also, I’ve been learning more about indoor plants- I like Jade plants and at the moment I’m trying to grow a Jade bonsai.
If you could be a background character in a book/film/show/game, what book/film/show/game would it be? Why?
It would be fun to be a background character on Fraggle Rock (or any of Jim Henson’s shows really). I’d love to see how the show is made. I’ve often wondered how that incredible underground world comes together with all the puppets involved. I think it’s an amazing creative feat!
If you could travel in time, what event/time period would you visit?
I would travel to lower Manhattan in the 1960s and drop right into the vibrant art scene at the time. Creativity was in the air! Happenings were happening! I could hang out with just a few artists whose work I would later study and admire Agnes Martin, Red Grooms, Chuck Close. I’d have to of course visit Andy Warhol’s Factory and hear Allen Ginsberg read his poetry. Maybe I’d even run into Patti Smith while I’m in NYC? I could have her sign my copy of Just Kids. This might mess up the space-time continuum or something because she published that book in 2010, but why not, in the spirit of creativity!
You have to eat the same thing every day for the rest of your life. What is it?
It’s hard to pick just one, but I think I could maybe live on vanilla ice cream for a while! But for the rest of my life, I’m not sure, I’d probably get pretty sick of it after a while! I think I’d need to throw a good green vegetable in there like spinach for some nutrients!
What show have you binge-watched recently?
Those competition shows are easy to binge-watch! I’ve been known to binge the British Baking Show. And recently I’ve gotten into Landscape Artist of the Year which is also a British show that has now expanded to include Landscape Artist of the Year: Canada. If you love painting, drawing, plein air painting, collage or printmaking check the show out!
What’s the best concert you’ve ever seen? What made it special?
I went to a They Might Be Giants kids concert in Brooklyn, NY with my husband and our then 4 year old who is now 14! Their shows are always fun to experience in Brooklyn because it’s their home turf but this was especially awesome to see all the kids dancing with lots of colored lights shining and confetti coming down from the ceiling. If you are a They Might Be Giants fan, you should check out: Here Comes Science– one of my family’s favorite albums!