Employee Spotlight
John Schaffer - AKA "Curbside Larry"
John is proud to have been promoted from Program Specialist to Program Production Specialist. Curbside Larry was a big hit on social media, which made Harris County Public Library "HCPL" well known throughout the country. The original Curbside Larry video has had over 17 media mentions including but not limited to, Texas Monthly, the Houston Chronicle, Southern Living, Buzzfeed, Kirkus reviews, and American Libraries Magazine. John has been interviewed by local tv stations, CBS This Morning and Good Morning America. The original Curbside Larry video has over 1.5 million views, and 50,000 plus views on YouTube.
The Barbara Bush Branch Library where John works gained an approximate 10% increase in social media followers, and an incalculable increase in engagement and public good will. After the first "Curbside Larry" video went viral, the Library's physical circulation increased by 8,774 items, or by 43% in a 5-6 week period. John started a Facebook Live program called 'Live at Lunch' with HCPL! He has created Instagram challenges for staff competition, which have been a lot of fun! He creates social media content for the Branch and the system. John organized the Barbara Bush Branch Library for the Virtual Employee 5K in April 2021, and he volunteered to hold down the fort during Winter Storm Uri while our building was a Warming Center. John enjoys leading our 'Afternoon Book Club' in their virtual meetings. He was an America Library Association program presenter in "Marketing and Advertising the Library." He also acheived awards like the Texas Library Associations Branding Iron "Best Show Award".
