Written by Mackenzie Manley, Content Specialist, Downtown Main Library
A library is run by people working in many different roles. They’re all helping community members in wide-ranging ways, from recommending books to connecting people to resources and more. Go inside the day-to-day lives of our staff with our series Spend a Day with a Library Worker.
If you’ve ever strolled into the Forest Park Branch, you’ve likely encountered Shaun Davidson, senior branch manager. From assisting customers in the MakerSpace and supporting staff to fostering community partnerships, Shaun’s day-to-day includes a multitude of tasks.
“I love that anyone can come in and use the Library, whether you’re just looking for information or resources, or you want to use the technology we have that’s available, like our computers, printers, copiers, or if you just want to come and hang out at the library, you can,” Shaun said. “It's no questions asked. It’s free for everyone. I love that accessibility.”
Shaun helped usher in the new Forest Park Branch when it opened to the public in September 2024. He said that it has since become a hub not just for Forest Park, but for the entire region. Along with a MakerSpace and an expanded youth area — complete with a tree playscape — the branch also features a meeting room that can hold 180 people. One of Shaun’s favorite features, the large space has been everything from a concert venue to a marriage ceremony venue.
“It was extremely rewarding to be a part of that process and then open it,” Shaun said. “Now we’re here in this amazing, beautiful space. It’s incredible to be able to work here every day and to see the benefits that it brings to our community.”
The Forest Park MakerSpace is the largest in the system outside of the Downtown Main Library. It includes a vinyl printer, t-shirt printer, laser engraver, computers with Adobe Creative Suite software, and more.
It’s been a huge resource for the region’s small business community, Shaun said. One Library customer even used it to make and bottle her own barbeque sauce. Forest Park Branch staff helped her figure out how to create a nutrition label.
“We designed and printed it here at the Library,” Shaun said. “She was able to get her barbeque sauce into stores like Jungle Jim’s and Kroger in the area. [I love the] fact that she thought of the Library, she came, and we were able to do everything start to finish to start her project.”
He also gets to work with organizations such as Ohio Department of Development and Ohio Means Jobs. On top of such duties, Shaun also finds time to rack up millions of views on the Library's social media channeling his inner dancer by parodying Hugh Grant's iconic scene in Love, Actually.
“If you want a rewarding and fulfilling job where you get to work with incredible people every day, then apply to the Library,” Shaun said.
Interested in working at the Library? Visit CHPL.org/jobs to view current job openings.
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