PyDev of the Week: Qumisha Goss

This week we welcome Qumisha Goss (@QatalystGoss) as our PyDev of the Week. Q is a librarian from Detroit who gave one of the best keynotes I’ve ever seen at PyCon US this year. For some reason, the people who uploaded the Keynotes from that morning didn’t separate the keynotes from each other or from the morning’s lightning talks, so you have to seek about 2/3’s of the way through the official video to find Q’s keynote here:

I personally think you should take a few moments and watch the video. But if you don’t have the time, you can still read this brief interview with this amazing person.

Can you tell us a little about yourself (hobbies, education, etc):

Qumisha Goss, I go by Q. I’m a Librarian at the Detroit Public Library. I studied History and Classical Studies at Calvin College. I was obsessed with Mythology and then with engineering of the Roman Empire. I wanted to Engineer and then an Archivist, and now I’m a librarian.

Why did you start using Python?

I started using python after I was encouraged to start a Kids’s programming class at the Library. I started out using hour of Code and Code.org resources, but as the kids got bored with that I taught myself Python to be able to teach them something a little harder and more resilient.

What other programming languages do you know and which is your favorite?

Python is really my only Language I have played around with SQL a little bit though for regular library business.

What projects are you working on now?

Currently I’m working on a Parkman Coders summer Program. This summer the program is called Code:Grow where we will be encouraging the kids to go outside and plant a garden and then use Code to monitor their garden by making time lapse camera, and programming soil moisture sensors.

Which Python libraries are your favorite (core or 3rd party)?

• PyGame because I work with Kids.
• SQLalchemy

What top three things have you learned contributing to open source projects?

• Python Community is very encouraging and
• No one knows everything
• It’s okay to ask for help and get it.

What is your motivation for working in open source?

I personally believe that learning should be free and open, and open source gives the opportunity to level the playing field for some who may not normally have the opportunity to access the resources they need.

Is there anything else you’d like to say?

we work a lot with physical computing at the Library because we found that having something besides a computer to put their hands on encourages the learning process. So we often use Raspberry Pis and Micro bits.

Thanks for doing the interview!