The public library is the heart of a community and there is no better place to work.

Charlotte Tito is a librarian at the Woods Branch of the Grosse Pointe Public Library.

Tito grew up in Grosse Pointe and previously worked for the Oak Park Public Library. She also has worked in special education and for public schools in New Mexico and Colorado as well as in private industry. She graduated with her master of library and information science (MLIS) from Wayne State’s School of Information Sciences in 2019 and moved back to Grosse Pointe to be closer to her family. She is excited to work at what was her “home library” growing up.

Q. What was your path to our program? Did you always know you wanted to be a librarian?
A. As a child, I cherished my time in the school library or my local public library so becoming a librarian was always in the back of my mind as a dream job. I ended up going into education and I was a middle school special education teacher and teacher leader for eight years. After a while, I knew I wanted to pivot into something new but also related to the education field. When I learned more about MLIS programs while researching new career options, I knew it was going to be a perfect fit for me. 

Q. Why did you choose Wayne State’s School of Information Sciences? ​
A. At the time I was living and teaching in Santa Fe, New Mexico and researching different programs. I came upon Wayne State's program time and time again because it is so highly regarded and with my hometown ties to metro Detroit, I was confident it was the right program for me. 

Q. What was a highlight of your time in the program?  
A. The connections I made with my classmates throughout my program are invaluable. I was so happy to be able to collaborate with such a talented and diverse group of my peers. Another highlight of my time at WSU were my classes taken Dr. Kafi Kumasi. Her courses were so impactful, and I use the knowledge I gained from them every day in my career. 

Q. What do you feel is the most important or surprising thing you've learned about the library and information science profession? 
A. I was so surprised at how many different pathways there are within this profession. The possibilities are endless! 

Q. What do you love most about your current role?
A. The public library is the heart of a community and there is no better place to work if you want to be connected to your neighbors and the things going on around you. 

Q. What advice would you give current students? ​
A. Take advantage of every resource that this program gives to you! There are so many throughout the time you are a student here and the connections you make with faculty and your fellow students will be so valuable going forward.