Rosenblum

“Our town, our people” is a weekly Q&A with a local resident who is active in the community. Have a suggestion for someone we should talk to? Email T-R news editor Emily Barske at ebarske@timesrepublican.com. 

Sarah Rosenblum is the library director at the Marshalltown Public Library, and Halloween will mark her eighth year of starting her position, moving to this city a few days prior.

Q: What are you passionate about?

“Well, I’m passionate about food and I love to travel. I have three kitties. Yes, three Siamese kitties. It kind of goes along with being a librarian. And, of course, I’m passionate about the library and literacy. I do like to travel to Europe. I’m going to France in the fall, and I’ve been there before. I used to live in the U.K. I do love Italy, but I’d be open to New Zealand. There’s lots of places I still want to go to.”

Q: What community activities do you participate in?

A: “I was on the Central Iowa Art Association and the Marshalltown Public Art Committee. Now, I’m on long-term family recovery, which was sparked after the tornado. It’s really important for me to be a part of that, and try to help the community. I like to think the library played a role. We housed some of the city offices the first month after the tornado. We think we answered about 250 tornado-related questions in the first 30 days after the tornado. So, I think we were able to help people or, at least, direct them to resources.”

Q: What do you enjoy about this community?

A:”There’s a huge volunteer spirit here, which I have never experienced before, and I do like how people really want to help each other here. I found people really want to help the library; but, they helped me personally. So, I do like the friendly spirit and the ‘can do’ spirit. It’s helping with our recovery, and I know it’s going to be a long recovery, but I think that we have a lot of good people here.”

Q: What changes do you feel need to be made in the community?

A: “I know from personal experience: housing. And I know we need housing at all levels, but, I know when I first came here for professional housing, it was difficult. There wasn’t a lot for rental, and I wasn’t in a position yet to buy a house.”

Q:What advice would you pass on to young people?

A: “Get involved and if you don’t know who to ask, there are lots of people that can give you advice.”

Q: What is your favorite Marshalltown activity?

A: “Water walking at the aquatic center.”

Q: What social activity or event would you like to see come to Marshalltown and why?

A: “I would love to see more dining options.”