O'Hara book-lover turns the page on a new job post-retirement
Karen Fornari grew up walking herself to the public library in her hometown of Indiana, Pa.
“From childhood, I was a reader. Nancy Drew was my favorite,” Fornari said. “I always looked for the brand new books and it was exciting.”
Her love of books continues post-retirement with a part-time job as children’s cataloger at Cooper-Siegel Community Library in Fox Chapel.
She celebrated her one-year work anniversary last month and remains focused on promoting literacy.
“The reality in this digital age is that if someone wants to read a book from any device, anyway you can get it, that’s good. What’s beautiful about our library system is it encompasses all of the libraries in Allegheny County,” she said.
Fornari previously worked as a teacher/librarian for 25 years combined at O’Hara Elementary and as a reading specialist at Dorseyville Middle School in the Fox Chapel Area School District.
During her librarian years, she enjoyed reading books to her students that elicited plenty of laughs.
“I also loved books with depth and substance, like a favorite, “Last Stop on Market Street” by Matt de la Pena. Why? Because there are lots of great themes like appreciating differences, intergenerational relationships and helping those in need.”
Fornari graduated with her undergraduate degree in administration of justice and a master’s in education and library and information sciences from the University of Pittsburgh.
Working in a traditional brick-and-mortar library in an ever-growing digital world brings comfort to Fornari.
“Libraries are important because they’re a free, public resource,” she said. ”Not everyone can afford to read on a Kindle or buy an e-book. To have a physical place one can come to and get the latest best-seller, or join a book group, that’s important.”
Co-worker Brad Wulfkuhle of the South Side has worked at Cooper-Siegel for nine years as head of technical services.
“It’s been great working with Karen. She’s very helpful and willing to learn and helps all over,” Wulfkuhle said. “We’re glad she’s here and it’s a breath of fresh air in this department.”
Fornari is married to Fox Chapel Area High School physics and chemistry teacher Pete Shiner.
The couple has one adult daughter and the family has lived in O’Hara for more than 20 years.
Fornari usually chooses historical fiction as her go-to choice for reading, followed by mysteries, graphic novels, fiction and non-fiction.
Sharing Italian and Slovak ancestry, Fornari is currently renovating her grandfather’s house in the tiny village of Cavezzana D’antena, Italy.
“There’s about five full-time residents there,” Fornari said. “It’s not an ‘Under The Tuscan Sun’ kind of house, but I’m very interested in genealogy.”
When not working, Fornari spends plenty of time whipping up Italian dishes.
“We both enjoy cooking. I cook homemade crepes that are like manicotti,” Fornari said.
Joyce Hanz is a native of Charleston, S.C. and is a features reporter covering the Pittsburgh region. She majored in media arts and graduated from the University of South Carolina. She can be reached at jhanz@triblive.com
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