Published: February 25, 2025 by Gabe Farmer

iSchool Alum Karen Quest has been roping in audiences for most of her life and still incorporates her cowgirl act into her work with library outreach. Her show, Cowgirl Tricks, features trick roping, whip cracking and what she laughingly calls “kooky cowgirl shenanigans perfect for the whole family.” Karen has performed for corporate events, private parties, fairs and festivals nationwide. Yet, in 2011, she stepped into a new performance arena: libraries. At a children’s librarian showcase, she found an intriguing new audience. “As I continued to get booked at libraries, I noticed that librarians were funny and they were smart and they get it,” she explains. “And very different from the other clients that I did business with. And I started getting library curious.” 

Library Curious

Karen’s curiosity about libraries lingered for years and she took her performances to well over 100 libraries. Rather than seeing it as just another performance venue, she began to view libraries as a possible long-term calling. The final push came when she spotted a small sign at her local branch that read “Book a Librarian.” Intrigued, she made an appointment to learn what it would take to become a librarian. Motivated by what she heard, Karen filled out her application to San José State University’s School of Information in the fall of 2019. She was accepted in December and set to start in January 2020, which was a tough turnaround since she was on the road for her annual winter performances.

Despite the rushed timeline, Karen was enthusiastic and launched into her MLIS classes. “I opened up my computer and it exploded,” she jokes, recalling the massive influx of course information, syllabi and due dates. Still, she stayed focused on her vision of blending comedic performance with meaningful outreach, including storytimes and children’s programming. “I love creating an opportunity for somebody to learn,” she says. She saw libraries as dynamic spaces that, much like the stage, allow for creative engagement and community connection.

Oh, and another fascinating thing about Karen? She began her iSchool journey at the age of 65. “I started grad school and Medicare in the same month,” she laughed. I admit I intentionally buried this fascinating factoid further into this post. Many iSchool students fall into an age range numbering less than half of Karen’s current 70 years. Because of this, I feared mentioning her age could conjure images of her that couldn’t be further from the truth. In my Zoom call with Karen, I discovered that she has as much (or more) passion, drive and energy as anyone I have had the pleasure to meet.

Returning to School at 65

Enrolling in grad school was an adjustment for Karen, who often jokes about how different academia is compared to when she completed her undergraduate degree decades earlier. “The last time I wrote a term paper was BC: before computers,” she quips. “I didn’t know what a peer-reviewed article was. I didn’t know about formatting and doing references and APA.”

Karen also says it felt surreal to be a student again at 65. While her friends and peers might have been winding down careers, she was ramping up in a brand-new field. She had to learn not just the content of the MLIS curriculum but also the technology involved in modern academic life, from online course platforms to digital library databases.

Her initial semester tested her resilience. “I crashed and burned my first semester. Thank goodness for second chances,” she recalls. Stress and the unfamiliar expectations of graduate-level work led her to drop a class and then retake it. “I wasn’t doing well at all,” she says, describing that period. Nevertheless, she persisted.

Over time, Karen discovered that many of her classmates had already worked in libraries, initially making her feel behind. However, she found creative ways around barriers to get experience. For instance, when her local library system wouldn’t allow volunteer work that overlapped with union positions, she looked to a neighboring city instead. There, she landed in-person volunteer gigs shelving and helping with small programs. She also applied for page and library assistant positions. In a twist, she passed the library assistant test but missed passing the page test by a single point. “I wasn’t smart enough to shelve books,” she says, “but I maintained a 4.0.”

Karen also battled imposter syndrome as she progressed through the program. “When I learned about imposter syndrome, I realized that’s exactly what I’ve had my whole life,” she shares. Gradually, though, she recognized the unique value she brought: decades of teaching audiences, an instant rapport with kids and families and a passion for helping people discover resources.

Performing at 70 and Loving Library Outreach

Despite her initial difficulties, Karen graduated with her MLIS degree in the fall of 2022. Now 70, Karen credits the iSchool with giving her the foundation to take her energetic outreach skills into new arenas. She continues to perform Cowgirl Tricks, but her shows often weave in a library-friendly angle: storytimes, reading references or even sign language lessons she learned during her undergrad days. Wherever she performs, she enjoys surprising the audience with the possibility that a fun performance can be educational.

Karen is passionate about outreach because it mirrors the spirit she brought to her shows. She loves connecting with seniors and families, often emphasizing how simple it is to explore the wealth of digital resources available. “I helped so many people. Even the tiniest thing can just make someone’s life better,” she says.

Karen also found an ideal community in the Association of Bookmobile and Outreach Services (ABOS), discovering other professionals who value the same kind of engagement she thrives on.

In blending performance and librarianship, Karen shows that you do not need to abandon a long-time passion to pursue an MLIS. Instead, you can bring past experience and energy into the library field, enriching programming and inspiring patrons of all ages. She displays that unconventional skills, like roping and comedic flair, can serve as a natural bridge to draw new audiences into library services.

Karen encourages newcomers to remain curious, take advantage of online webinars and tap into library volunteer or part-time roles to gain hands-on experience. She continues to embrace new opportunities, letting her comedic cowgirl persona shine in library spaces.

Feeling inspired by Karen’s story? Drop a comment below or email me about your iSchool experience. I would love to hear from you.