Tom with one of his favorite comic book series, Locke and Key.
Welcome to #FDL’s feature column, Five Questions, where we ask library staff and other East Peoria residents roughly the same five questions. For our next Five Questions column, we’re interviewing Tom Armbruster, one of FDL’s custodians – helping make FDL a awesome place you want to come to. He’s also a Library Friends volunteer.
1. Who are you?
I am the son of A.J and Mary Ann, brother of Elizabeth and Christopher. Husband of Marie, Father of Chad. I am a bassist, the “Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon” Master of the Universe, a pop culture consumer and (according to my mother) an unsung hero. “I’m trying really hard to be the shepherd.”
2. What is your favorite part of working at FDL?
I like seeing all the behind the scenes prep work for the exciting programs that the library does. Like the giant SORRY! Board and the Garbage Masher for Star Wars Day. And getting to see all the new and donated books that come in for the main collection and the Friends book sale.
3. What are you reading/watching/listening to right now?
I’m reading Homeward Bound a Paul Simon biography by Peter Ames Carlin, Unmentionable: The Victorian Lady’s Guide to Sex, Marriage and Manners by Therese Oneill and Good Clean Fun: Misadventures in Sawdust at Offerman Woodshop by Nick Offerman (Which is making me want to buy ALL THE TOOLS and make ALL THE THINGS.). I’m watching American Gods, Fargo, Better Call Saul, and recently became obsessed with Rick and Morty (Wubba Lubba Dub Dub!). I’m listening to “The West Wing Weekly” podcast from Hrishikesh Hirway and Joshua Malina and a mix of “previously unreleased” tracks from Paul Simon on CD. (My car has a CD player.)
4. If you didn’t already have your dream job, what would you be doing?
The Dream Job for me would be to be a professional musician playing bass in a touring band. Don’t need to be a millionaire rockstar, but being onstage and playing music would be a blast.
5. Is there anyone in the DCU who would be able to pick up Thor’s hammer?
Wonder Woman (Marvel Vs. DC) and Superman (JLA/Avengers) both have, but I would also make the argument that Batman could because if Beta Ray Bill could wield it because if he just wanted to protect his people, then Batman, who wants to protect the people of Gotham City, could as well.
Interviewed by Carey Gibbons, Reference Specialist
About #FDL
Welcome to #FDL! #FDL is a twice weekly update on all things Fondulac District Library and East Peoria. Twice a week, library staff will make posts that highlight some aspect of library life and relate it to you – our readers. Have you ever wanted to know which Dewey number represented a certain topic? Are you looking for book recommendations based on your favorite television show or television recommendations based on your favorite book? Have you ever wondered about the secret details of librarian life? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then #FDL is for you. We look forward to writing posts that are informative and entertaining and hope that you enjoy getting better acquainted with Fondulac District Library.