What started as a love of all things books has grown into a now decade long career with Baker & Taylor. Jill Blades started at the company 10 years ago, but about one year ago shifted into her new role as a public library sales consultant where she puts her love of reading to use daily, working with libraries to grow and thrive.

As a sales consultant she covers the southern states of Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia (where she grew up) and South Carolina (where she currently resides, outside of Charleston). Notes in the Margin sat down with Jill to learn a little bit more about her, beyond just her work at Baker & Taylor.

Books are my life…
Jill Blades, Public Library Sales Consultant

Q: What is your favorite part about working with Baker & Taylor?

A: My favorite part about working for Baker & Taylor is how smart, professional and dedicated my coworkers and customers are.  It is an honor to work with and learn from these folks every day.  My first boss at B&T, Jamie Norman, used to tell me that you can work for B&T your entire life and never stop learning the whole time.

Q: Cat or dog person?

A: Cats are cute, but dogs all the way.  I need that reciprocation.  I also like having to constantly wonder what happened to the bananas I left on the counter and then find the peels in a random part of the house.  Our dog, Navin, does not have a potassium deficiency.

Q: What’s your favorite book?

A: Books are my life, so I can’t really pick a favorite, but one that stays with me every day is All the King’s Men by Robert Penn Warren.

Q: eBook or physical book?

A: Each fulfills different needs, but I prefer a regular old physical book.  I do spend a lot of hours on the road listening to Axis 360 eAudio books.  They make long trips a pleasure, but sometimes I am listening to something really heavy and have to stop and think about cheerful things for a few minutes before going into an appointment.

Q: What do you like to do when you’re not reading or working?

A: Laugh with my family and friends, cuddle with my daughter, cook and bake, spend time outdoors, listen to music, write, and marvel over my great fortune.