LOCI Intern Spotlight: Xiomara Chinn Griffin

On this blog, we plan to regularly feature the interns whose hard work positively impacts the Library. Today’s interview is with a 2022 Spring participant in the Library of Congress Internship program (LOCI), Xiomara Chinn Griffin.

Describe Your Background.

I was born in Atlanta, Georgia. I was not more than a few months old before I moved with my mom and dad to Germany. My mother was in the U.S. Army, and so I am what the call an “Army brat.” I went so many places with my mom and enjoyed all the sites. When I was not able to travel with mom, my dad and I stayed in the U.S. My mom retired and decided to settle down back in Atlanta. Growing up in Atlanta has been interesting because I have been able to meet all levels of society. I miss travelling, but I have come to love the city I call my birthplace. In my spare time I like to write, draw, and swim.

What is your academic/professional history?

I am a second-generation college student. I started going to community colleges because I did not know what path I wanted to take career-wise. I tried many different majors including information technology, vet technology, and communications. I finally decided to pursue writing and applied to Georgia State University in 2012.

I graduated from Georgia State University with a bachelor of English with a minor in psychology. After a few years of pursuing different jobs from laboratory technician to front desk agent, I decided I needed to further my education to achieve the goals I wanted for myself and my husband. I applied to Agnes Scott College in 2020. Once I enrolled, I chose to pursue a masters in writing and digital communications.

I am currently attending Agnes Scott College and will graduate in May of 2022.

How would you describe your job to other people?

I am participating in the Internship and Fellowship Programs (IFP) office of the Library of Congress as a program assistant II. I will use my time here to hone my organizational and project management skills. I plan to use these skills to further my education and career goals for working with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

I provide support to the program manager of different internships associated with the Library of Congress, such as Junior Fellows Program (JFP) and the Library of Congress Internships (LOCI). I also help IFP promote communication between interns through interactive presentations and explore accessible educational training pathways for current and future interns.

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

The Library of Congress is the largest source of information in the United States and is part of the government that I soon hope to work for. I wanted to get a taste of what it would be like to work in a well -structured, team-oriented environment. I was a good fit with my positive attitude and knack for learning quickly. The Library of Congress also has a vast staff with a variety of skills that would help hone my own. I knew my communication, organization, and speaking skills would improve tenfold working here.

What is the most interesting fact you have learned about the Library of Congress?

The most interesting fact I have learned about the Library of Congress is the comic book selection and resources. It is so vast and has tons of subjects and genres for any comic fan. I originally thought the Library of Congress only included literature, periodicals, and journals that pertained to the history of the United States. Yet, the resources do not stop at comic books. There are a lot of resources available for any subject you can think of. I have lost half a day using the Library’s search engine just seeing what I can find on any subject.

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

Most of my co-workers know that I have volunteered with animals, but they do not know that I participate in the Tag-n-Release (TNR) program in my neighborhood. I catch feral cats, have them neutered, and then release them back into the neighborhood. If any of the feral cats are pregnant or have kittens, I care for them and their kittens in my home until can I adopt out the kittens. The mothers remain in the TNR program. I am allergic to cats, but I care about them more than a runny nose and watery eyes.