Lauren Gibaldi Mathur has worn quite a few hats since she first graduated from Florida State University in 2005. Ten years later, Lauren is a FSU MLIS graduate, librarian, mom and a soon-to-be published author with HarperCollins.
The Orlando-based writer is the Branch Librarian at the Orange County Library System’s Alafaya branch. On lunch breaks, days off and during nap time – she is a young adult (YA) writer. Her first book, The Night We Said Yes, and it’s companion novella, Matt’s Story, will be available this summer with a third novel slated for summer 2016.
The road to authorship had a couple stops along the way. Lauren graduated in 2005 with a degree in English and taught high school English for a year. While she enjoyed the work, she was searching for something more. Over the next few years, she went on to work as a copywriter, freelance writer and magazine editor.
Still on the hunt for her calling, she started her MLIS online through the School of Information at Florida State and graduated in 2011. Her focus on youth services came in handy when she accepted a librarian position with Rollins College and later, with the Orange County Library System.
“I work with children and teens and absolutely love it,” she shared.
Kneeled into something wet in the children’s area, so I’m pretty sure my day just got worse than yours. Uggghhhhh
— Lauren Gibaldi (@laurengibaldi) March 26, 2015
Well – most of the time. In her day-to-day, Lauren helps patrons, recommends books and designs programs for the community. On weekends, she hosts programs for all ages, preschoolers to teenagers.
A photo posted by Lauren Gibaldi (@lgibaldi) on Mar 8, 2015 at 10:49am PDT
Her newest adventure, being an author, fulfills a goal she set for herself years ago. The book has been recognized on Amazon’s Hot New Releases in Teen & Young Adult Fiction, translated into Italian & German, and is set to release June 16, 2015. More on Lauren and her books can be found on her website, laurengibaldi.com.