Submitted by Sunny Chung; edited by Elizabeth Hinton.
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Institution: Stony Brook University, Health Sciences Library
Title: Health Sciences Librarian, Liaison to the School of Nursing & Program in Public Health
Brief description of responsibilities:
I am at the Health Sciences Library in Stony Brook, NY, and am the Liaison to the School of Nursing and Program in Public Health. I work with a team of four other Health Sciences Librarians. My day-to-day work includes instruction, reference, creating content for the library's social media pages, supervising student workers, and literature searching.
Why is MLA important to you?
MLA offers me an opportunity to connect with colleagues that I would have never met outside of the profession. MLA provides CE programs that support and help me develop necessary skills, and has valuable resources to keep me up-to-date with new trends in medical and health sciences librarianship.
Why did you become a librarian?
I became a librarian because I had such a positive experience as a student worker at SUNY Oneonta's Milne Library. The pace was great, the space was beautiful, the rate of turnover for student workers was low, and all of my supervisors were supportive. After undergrad, I worked at a local public library and realized it was not for me. While I was completing my MLIS, there was an internship posting for Stony Brook Health Sciences Library, and there, I learned about what Health Sciences Librarianship was. Through all three jobs, I figured out the type of librarian role that best fits me.
What was your first library job or professional position?
My first library job was as a circulation desk student worker at SUNY Oneonta.
What is your advice to someone taking on a new role in leadership in MLA, or other capacity?
Listen before you speak.
What has been the most interesting project you have worked on?
The most interesting project I have worked on was the Elsevier overlap analysis when SUNY schools were looking to renew a contract with Elsevier SUNY-wide. It was interesting because as an intern, I did not expect to work on a project that would impact decisions made outside of the campus. This project also gave me perspective on major differences in collection development at an academic institution versus a local library.
What do you consider to be the most pressing issues or trends in librarianship?
Prioritize diversity.
What is something you have on your "bucket list"?
Traveling to Turkey to see hot air balloons during sunrise.What do you do in your spare time, for fun, or to relax?
I create cooking/baking videos on TikTok.What is the best thing you've read/watched/listened to recently?
“About You” by The 1975.Describe yourself in five words.
Creative, curious, detail-oriented, focused, and passionate.Is there anything about you that others might be surprised to know?
I worked as an EMT before I was a librarian.
What are you most proud of?
Keeping my plants alive! Propagating and sharing plants with my friends brings me joy.
