John is currently one of my supervisors at the Sonoma State Library. He has devoted over twenty years to working with the library and loves helping people out. He is one of the most knowledgeable people I know and is definitely my go-to whenever I have a question about anything at all.
Her Campus: Where did you grow up?
John Benbow Richie: I grew up in Berkeley, CA.
HC: When you were younger, did you have a dream job?
JBR: *Exhales* I was annoyed with my grandmother and her friends asking what I wanted to be when I grew up. At the age of 11, I told them I wanted to be wino[a bum on the street]. I only told her that because I was tired of her always asking, and indeed, it worked.
HC: Which university did you attend and what was your experience like?
JBR: Sonoma State was the first university I attended, and I liked it sooo much I never left.
HC: What is your current occupation?
JBR: Lead Library Assistant at the Sonoma State Library.
HC: How many years have you worked in the library?
JBR: I’ll have to count now…twenty-eight years.
HC: What’s one of the biggest changes you’ve seen since you started?
JBR: The internet. Before we used to check out books the old fashioned way, with card catalogs and lots of stamping. That’s really the biggest change. The internet has really changed libraries in ways we could hardly foresee. When I first started working, we checked in thousands of books at the end of the semester and they were piled to the ceiling, but now with the internet and most of everything being online we hardly check out any books at all.
HC: Is there anything you wish hadn’t changed?
JBR: I’m mad at Al Gore for inventing the internet [it’s a joke, but the essence is true]. All libraries changed because of it.
HC: What is one of your addictions?
JBR: I’m addicted to enjoying life, well trying to enjoy life. Oh, and avoiding confrontation.
HC: Can you tell us a fun fact about yourself?
JBR: My uncle hoped to be the democratic nominee for president in 1924 and 1932 but did not win it. His name was Albert Cabell Ritchie
HC: What has been your biggest life lesson?
JBR: It’s one I keep having a hard time to learn and that’s when to keep my mouth shut.
HC: What is one rule you wish all people lived by?
JBR: Unconditional love