I am MLA: Kate Flewelling

Kate Flewelling

Institution: Boston University

Job Title: Director, Alumni Medical Library

Brief description of what you do/your responsibilities at your institution:

I lead an exceptional team who provide comprehensive information services to graduate, medical, public health and dental students, faculty and staff.

Why is MLA important to you?

In a career spanning almost 20 years, MLA has been the one constant. It is where I developed leadership and management skills long before I became a library director. It is where I have made important connections and more important friendships. It is my professional home, even more so than the wonderful institutions where I have worked.

Why did you become a librarian?

I became a librarian because of a small public library’s Friday tea breaks, which got me through a really challenging last semester of college. I became a health sciences librarian because my sister had met the librarians at Central Maine Medical Center and told me I should do an internship with them. As soon as I got an “Urgent Patient Care” request through Docline, I was hooked for life!

What was your first library job or first professional position?

My first library job was as a part time circulation clerk at the Wilton Free Public Library in Maine. My first professional position was as an Associate Fellow at the National Library of Medicine.

What is your advice to someone taking on a new role in leadership in MLA, or other capacity?

Your voice, your energy, your ideas are all important to the work of MLA! You do not have to do everything, but being part of a community means we all have to do something. Start with your Chapter or caucus and raise your hand to volunteer. Or, ask someone you trust to nominate you! I went to one meeting and was asked to run for chair-elect of a section (now caucus). MLA is a safe and supportive place to try new things!

What has been the most interesting project you have worked on?

Being MLA Treasurer has been much more interesting and rewarding than I could have imagined when taking the role. I have really enjoyed a couple of projects I have worked on including the reorganization of the MLA recognition program and the creation of a rubric to review caucus funding requests.

What do you do in your spare time, for fun, or to relax?

Reading and listening to books, especially romance and history; exploring new places; baking; writing postcards to voters

What is the best thing you’ve read/watched/listened to recently?

“The Joy You Make” by Steven Petrow – Each chapter is called “The Joy of” [something], such as the Joy of Play, of Solidarity, of Getting Lost, etc. The chapters are really short and action oriented. I’ve been using each one as a journal prompt.

Describe yourself in 5 words:

affable, enthusiastic, talkative, creative, smart.

Of what are you most proud?

I am most proud of my ability to have a conversation with almost anyone. My favorite high school teacher told us that he wanted us small-town kids to know enough about enough things that we could walk into a big city cocktail party and talk to anyone for ten minutes. I love chatting with strangers and quickly finding common ground or shared interests.