Today’s interview is with Michael (“Mookie”) Goodson, an intern in the Collection Services Division. Mookie has the enviable task of conducting preliminary research, identifying U.S. and foreign legal collection items, related to baseball and the law for next year’s Library-wide exhibit: Baseball Americana.
Describe your background.
I am one of five children (the son of two lawyers) from McLean, Va. and a recent graduate of the University of Virginia (“UVA”), McIntire School Of Commerce where I studied finance and foreign affairs. At the university I played club baseball and participated in the Washington Literary Society and J-Street. I am extremely interested in the nexus between finance, politics, and climate change.
What is your academic/professional history?
I went to Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Alexandria and then to UVA. I also had the pleasure to study environmental sustainability during a spring semester in Cuba. During the various summers, I have interned for Booz Allen Hamilton and the National Basketball Association. I also had the opportunity to teach macroeconomics at Johns Hopkins CTY as well as teach robotics and public speaking at Fairfax Collegiate.
How would you describe your job to other people?
I would describe my job to other people as becoming the dedicated baseball expert of the Law Library of Congress – specializing in searching the vast legal collections for fascinating information in order to help put together the upcoming Baseball Americana exhibit.
Why did you want to work at the Law Library of Congress?
I have always held knowledge and education in high regard and The Library of Congress, in my mind, is one of the greatest symbols of that in our society. In addition, after gaining skills here, I intend to go to law school.
What is the most interesting fact you’ve learned about the Law Library?
The Library of Congress has the most extensive baseball card as well as comics collections!
What’s something most of your co-workers do not know about you?
I am part of a YouTube channel with more than a million views.