Heather is the Reader and Circulation Services Technician at Simpson Univeristy (FTE: 983) in Redding, CA. She has been a member of ACL for two years.
Describe yourself using a book title: I suppose if I had to use a book to describe my life, or what I hope to achieve with my life, it would be My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers.
What’s the best thing about being a librarian? The very best part of my job is serving students. I love helping them find the resources that they need and hearing about their research and their goals. I try to foster relationships with students as they research, but I also make a point of learning their stories and keeping up with them as they navigate their college careers.
What are you currently reading? Presently, I am reading Carve the Mark by Veronica Roth, a YA book by the author of the Divergent series. If you’re looking for a good read, though, I would recommend The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker. It is a wonderfully written book and a complex and interesting story.
Describe ACL in three words: Engaging / Friendly / Family
How have you, as an academic librarian, contributed to your campus? My primary responsibility is developing and implementing library instruction courses and when I make presentations to students, or assist them one-on-one I feel like I am contributing to their learning experience. I try to be involved in other areas of campus life, serving as a mentor for several World Serve teams, and sitting on panels discussing grad school paths for students in their final semesters.
I began my career as a librarian . . . recently. I finished my MLIS degree in December 2016 and am still figuring out what it means to be a librarian. I have volunteered in libraries for most of my life. I used to hide in the library at recess in my elementary school days. Libraries seemed to be places full of adventure and sparkling with possibility. I have never lost that sense of wonder, and as I begin my career in this awesome role I hope to inspire that same sense of awe in the patrons of my library…even in academic libraries where students are forced to come for the resources to write the papers that they wish would write themselves; in fact, if I can get those students excited about the library, then it will truly be an achievement to get excited about!
What do you value about ACL? I value the kind and considerate collaboration, and the friendly way I was received at my first conference. I heard many times that the annual conference was in many ways more akin to a family reunion, and I thought that was terrific.
How were you introduced to ACL? My first dean told me about ACL, he spoke very highly of the organization and I have found that he didn’t exaggerate.
Do you have any specific interests in the library world? I enjoy book repair quite a lot, and am always looking to learn more about how to care for older books.