Institution: University of West Florida
Title: Assistant Librarian/Coordinator of Scholarly Communication
Brief description of responsibilities:
I am the library liaison to the College of Health and the Biology department. As such, I am embedded in several online BSN and MSN programs, as well as providing instruction and services to the departments of public health, med lab sciences, health sciences, movement sciences and health, and the school of nursing. I also develop and promote research services, oversee the institutional repository, and participate in general reference and collection development.
Why is MLA important to you?
MLA keeps me up to date in relation to the profession in general and more specifically though committees and resources available through the website.
Why did you become a librarian?
I wanted a more robust and intellectually stimulating career then retail management provided.
What was your first library job or first professional position?
A position at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities in their post-MLS residency.
What is your advice to someone taking on a new role in leadership in MLA or in some other capacity?
Enjoy the experience—you know more than you think you do.
What has been the most interesting project you have worked on?
Teaching Evidence-Based Medicine searching in collaboration with medical faculty in Puerto Rico.
What do you consider to be the most pressing issues or trends in librarianship?
Rethinking what we do and how we do it in relation to the programs we support. Are we doing the right things? Are we evolving as a profession?
Bucket list:
Touring and eating my way through Tuscany, Italy, and also ziplining.
What do you do in your spare time?
Read, of course, and knit.
What is the best thing you’ve read/watched/listened to recently?
Read Caste, thoroughly enjoyed watching the Olympics, and listened to Hip Hop Violin music on Spotify.
Is there anything about you that others might be surprised to know?
I have lived in all the regions of the country: North, South, East, and West.
What are you most proud of?
My relationships with my families, both personal and professional.