Meet Sarah Berezenko
What is your job title and what do you do at APS?
I'm the Library Assistant/Administrative Assistant, so I work at two different positions at the APS. Two days out of the week, I work for the Society of Israel Philatelists (SIP) as its Administrative Assistant. I process membership requests, help members with any questions and do anything else the Society of Israel Philatelists needs.
I also work three days in the APRL. I process book requests, assist members, work on auction catalogs, and do many other things in the library. It has been a fun experience working there for the past year.
What are the best part or fun parts of your job?
I enjoy talking to our members. I enjoy it because they always tell you something interesting and you sometimes even learn something new about stamps. There are members who are very kind and grateful for my help.
Watch a brief message from Sarah:
Is there one resource on the website you’d like to highlight for members that is connected to your job?
Definitely the Digital Library. We often have members request articles that are actually already available to read online in the Digital Library, which is one of the perks of membership. We have every issue of The American Philatelist digitized, as well as many other journals and other resources. I would recommend that members use it more often. It is a very helpful website and is searchable.
Are you a stamp collector? If so, what do you like to collect
I am not a stamp collector, but I do enjoy looking at stamps. My favorites are stamps with ships, horses, and Disney.
What is a fun fact about you that you’d like to share with our members?
I am bilingual. I know Russian and English. If members ever need assistance with translating something, I would be glad to assist them.
Anotner fun fact about me is that I’ve dreamed about opening my own bakery. More specifically, a Cake Pop Bakery. I love spending my time in the kitchen and trying new recipes. One thing that I love to make the most are Cake Pops. I love trying new recipes and when I do, I would always bring them to my #1 Taste Testers: APS Staff. I love hearing feedback and I hope that one day I will be able to open up my own bakery.
Sarah puts together a gingerbread house at the 2019 Holiday Party.
Sarah, taking a turn at croquet during the 2019 Staff Picnic.
Tell me something you enjoy about APS/APRL members? Or a memory you have with a member?
I enjoy answering the phone and meeting members. They always have something interesting to talk about and it is always fun to learn something new.
I also enjoy receiving comments about my last name. Members who have a Russian or Ukrainian background always comment and ask about my last name. Many times I’ve had members tell me that part of my last name translates to "Birch Tree" in Russian, (which it does).
How have you transitioned to working from home? What have you been doing since you’ve been working from home?
This transition has been unexpected for all of us. I am glad that I got a laptop to work on from home. In the past several weeks, I’ve been working on major donations we’ve received from members. I have been working on auction catalogs and seeing which ones we need to add and which ones we don’t need. It is a project that previously I have not been able to work on since it requires a lot of time and patience, but it is perfect for at-home work.
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If you would like to support APS Cares, you can send a check to:
American Philatelic Society
100 Match Factory Place
Bellefonte, PA 16823
c/o APS Cares
Or Support the APS Staff Online:
Please select APS Cares in the Gift Designation.
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