An Interview with Kimberly Zellars, Program Specialist

This week’s interview is with Kimberly Zellars, Program Specialist at the Law Library of Congress.

Describe your background.

I am a native Washingtonian, born and raised in Southwest Washington, DC.  I am  a middle child with an older sister and younger brother, southern parents, and a Catholic school education.

What is your academic/professional history?

I attended Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School for girls and Howard University School of Business where I majored in International Business with a concentration in Computer Based Information Systems. I have also completed some post-graduate work in pursuit of my Masters in Computer Information Systems.

I began working at an early age; my first job was babysitting.  I worked for various organizations, including retailers.  I have worked for the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, Howard University’s Small Business Development Center, The World Bank, the Library of Congress, The Container Store, Woodward & Lothrop, and Ashley Stewart.  I fell in love with business at the Small Business Development Center and it was my first exposure to the field of outreach and event planning, a responsibility I hold in my current job.  Through Woodward & Lothrop, I learned about quality customer service and eventually utilized those skills at the Container Store as well as Ashley Stewart.

How would you describe your job to other people?

To be honest if I had to choose one word it would be eventful.  My current job revolves around quality customer service, attention to detail, and event planning.  I have had an opportunity to work alongside and meet various leaders in the United States and abroad, including Supreme Court Justices, media professionals, and members of parliament.  One of my most recent assignments was working with the Friends of the Law Library of Congress on the 2011 Wickersham Awards ceremony.  The event honored Justice John Paul Stevens for his outstanding contributions to the legal profession.  The event featured key individuals in the legal profession as well as Ms. Gwen Ifill from PBS NewHour.  It was a very special day for us because it generated a great deal of interest in our collections and staff expertise.

Overall, there is rarely a dull moment in my job.

Why did you want to work at the Law Library of Congress?

To be honest, I didn’t have plans to work for any government agency.  But what I learned is that sometimes life happens.  When the opportunity arose, I found myself here and have been here for approximately 9 years.

What is the most interesting fact you’ve learned about the Law Library?

Expect the unexpected.  While I have a variety of reasons for saying that the best example I can give is when the Outreach Team was told we would host a play.  Yes, you read correctly, a play.  A legally historical play, but a play nonetheless.  So overall, I learned to expect the unexpected, think outside the box, and there is never a wrong opinion, except the unspoken one.

What’s something most of your co-workers do not know about you?

I love European literature and plays.  My favorite novel is a Tale of Two Cities.  I am also a fan of Harry Potter.  I love murder mysteries and legal shows, especially Murder She Wrote, Perry Mason and Matlock.  I consider The Color Purple and the Sound of Music amongst the classics that must be preserved for generations to come.  And last but not least, I love to bake from scratch; boxed cakes will never do.