Abby Young feels right at home at the Sharpsburg Community Library.
A new job as the patron services assistant is checking all the boxes for Young’s eclectic interests – travel, cryptids, crystals, plants, bones, Dungeons and Dragons, and of course, reading.
“It might be cheesy, but I’d say it’s probably my calling,” said Young, 26, who uses they/them pronouns. “I love being around people and chatting with the regulars.”
A native of Verona, Young grew up “library adjacent.”
“My mom worked at the Penn Hills library when I was growing up and I volunteered a lot during school,” Young said. “She got her master of library and information science and that inspired me to try to do something formally in the field. I spent a lot of time in Sharpsburg since it was right across the river, so this seems like a perfect fit.”
Young splits shifts between the Sharpsburg site along Main Street and the main branch, Cooper-Siegel, in Fox Chapel.
Much of the job is focused on maneuvering myriad services available these days at the library, which some might say doubles as the community hub. From checking out books, to helping people with computers and printers, Young called the position a catch-all.
“I love it,” Young said. “People are really appreciative of simple things that you can help them with.”
Branch Manager Sara Mariacher said Young brings a youthful perspective to the library, “which has been very valuable.”
“We now have staff in every generation from Baby Boomers to Gen Z,” Mariacher said, adding that Young is enthusiastic about libraries and sharing interests and recommendations with patrons.
The Sharpsburg library has grown over the years to include a buzzy schedule of events that includes something for all ages and interests.
There are Story Suppers, painting camps, book clubs, therapy dog sessions, gardening and Art After Dark classes for adults. This week, the Pittsburgh Zoo brought live animals for its Wonders of Wildlife, where participants had the chance to discover fur, feathers and scales up-close.
The Blawnox resident collects houseplants and also has a slew of animal skulls, which started as souvenirs from childhood.
“My family are big hunters,” Young said. “I never really loved the idea but they would always bring me back antlers and little mouse skulls they found in the woods.”
On display at Young’s house are skulls of all sizes from skunks, deer, a beaver, mouse, coyote and a robin.
Young also has a passion for travel and when it’s combined with paranormal adventure, considers it a win.
A favorite trip was the West Virginia cryptid crawl, where Young visited museums dedicated to the Mothman, Big Foot and the Flatwoods Monster — also known as Braxie, a creature from West Virginia folklore described as a humanoid with glowing eyes and a spade-shaped head.
“When I went to the library as a kid I would load up on UFO and paranormal books,” Young said. “I still love fantasy but now that I’m older and married, I have a soft spot for romance too.”
Young’s favorite books right now are “Piranesi” by Susanna Clarke and the Axiom’s End series by Lindsay Ellis. Also a favorite is “Evocation,” a gothic paranormal mystery by S.T. Gibson that includes trans and non-binary characters.
“It’s nice to see,” Young said. “That wasn’t around when I was a kid.”
After graduating from Chatham University with a degree in creative writing, Young said the role at the library feels natural.
“I had a stint after college where I worked from home and this job has really opened me up a lot to the people around me,” Young said. “It’s been really nice to feel part of the community.”
