This week’s interview is with LeeAnne Rupple, Special Assistant to the Law Librarian. Enjoy!
Describe your background.
I was born in South Carolina to a family of die-hard, born and bred, Texans! I spent the bulk of my adolescent years in St. Louis, Missouri; however, my dad’s job required us to move frequently, so I had the opportunity to live in many interesting places including Australia and France. Along the way, my mother was able to work in her field as a theater teacher.
I started university as a communications major, intent on taking Jane Pauley‘s place on the Today Show. It didn’t take long for me to discover that design classes were much more interesting to me and subsequently changed my major into Interior Design. After graduating, I worked as an interior designer, got married, had two children (Madelyn and James). I completely enjoyed the years I spent raising them.
I moved to Washington, D.C. in 2005 to work at the Library of Congress. My husband and I live in Fairfax and we are a proud blended family of 5 (grown) kids!
What is your academic/professional history?
I have a degree in Interior Design from the University of Missouri. I have worked as a designer and facility planner with different professional interior design firms. One of my various employers was Saint Louis University where I worked as an interior designer for the University’s academic and medical campuses. My projects included renovation of administrative offices, the cancer center, biomedical research labs, the student union offices, academic classrooms and the Law School library. I joined the Library of Congress in 2005 as a Senior Interior Designer, was promoted to Project Supervisor and then accepted a position with the Law Library of Congress as the Confidential Assistant to the Law Librarian.
How would you describe your job to other people?
I support the daily needs of the Law Librarian. My responsibilities include matters relating to facility management, graphic design, the Law Library art program, correspondence on behalf of the Law Librarian and other office management projects.
Why did you want to work at the Library of Congress?
I wanted to relocate to the East Coast specifically to be a train ride away from New York City! The Library had a position posted that was an excellent fit for my experience. I had a great deal of respect for and interest in the Library of Congress. After I moved here and started my job, I quickly realized that I was part of an amazing institution! I still have a sense of awe when I think about where I am today.
What is the most interesting fact you have learned about the Law Library and/or the Library of Congress?
It is difficult to pick a single interesting fact. The Library of Congress is filled with interesting people, collections, events…I can say that every day I learn new things about our world, our collections, and our mission.
What is something most of your co-workers do not know about you?
I play the guitar, cello, mandolin, fiddle and ukelele. I am a bit rusty now but I have enjoyed playing all these instruments at different points in my life.