Meet Karla Osornio, New Personal Computing Specialist

I would like to introduce Karla Osornio, new personal computing specialist at the University of Texas at Arlington Libraries! This is her first job in her field after graduating from UT Austin with a bachelor's in computer science and minor in business administration, where she worked for four years in interlibrary loans and circulation. 

Andrew Leverenz (AL): As a way of introducing yourself to the rest of the library staff, what piece of media (book/movie/tv show/album/etc.) would you say best represents yourself? Why?

Karla Osornio (KO): Take the book Eat, Pray, Love and movies Hot Rod, Minority Report, Cube, and Shrek. Combine all those and you get the worms that control my brain. No, I will not elaborate further.

AL: Where are you coming to UTA Libraries from?

KO: I was on a little hiatus in Pittsburg, Texas, my hometown. You’ve probably never heard of it — hehe — but you might know some of the surrounding towns. It’s a nice, little chicken town with literally nothing to do. (The best sights are definitely those east Texas sunsets and starry skies at night.) But I love my town, and it’s all I knew for the first 18 years of my life before I went off to college.

AL: What makes you excited to work for UTA Libraries?

KO: Number 1: the people! Everyone here is extremely friendly and committed to student success.

AL: What is your earliest and/or most impactful memory of being in a library?

KO: My parents worked (and still do!) just about every day of the year when I was growing up. They never had time or money to take us out on any sort of vacations. So as far back as I can remember, my exciting summer activities consisted of going to those one-hour-once-a-week activities the public library had for kids.

You know, like, one day they bring in the guy with the snake and lizard on his shoulder, the next week we’re making Aquabead masterpieces, or the guy with the fluffy chickens and hedgehogs comes; maybe there’s a clown? a magician? a local firefighter? Without fail, though, there’s a cookie, lemonade, and some nice storytime.

It wasn’t just about getting out of the house once a week. There’s always been something about the library that has pulled me in. It’s always felt like home.

AL: If you are new to Texas: what Texas-specific things are you most excited to try? 

I’m not new to Texas, but to DFW. So let me know of specific DFW hidden gems I should try! I am very excited to be close to concert venues again. Also, let me know if you need someone to tag along with to concerts.

AL: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

KO: It’s OK to quit sometimes; when you know, you know.

AL: What is something about you that others would be surprised to know?

KO: I absolutely love old houses; specifically, Victorian houses are my favorite (Second Empire, Gothic Revival, Italianate, Queen Anne). The quirks, the charms. Old homes feel special. They’re beautiful.

I can waste so much time getting absorbed into all the details: original woodwork, claw-foot tubs, original hardware and lighting fixtures, built-ins, beveled glass, the carriage house, huge porches, vintage wallpaper — my list could go on and on — down to the tiniest of details that went into these houses. They just don’t make them like that anymore!

Truly, I am a fan of any old/historical home, doesn’t matter the style. I like scrolling through @cheapoldhouses on Instagram, and I would live in any one of those houses given the opportunity.