Rachel is the Electronic Resources Librarian at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska (7,600 FTE). Rachel has been a member of ACL since 2019 and was recently appointed the Assistant Coordinator of ACL’s Mentoring Program.
You can follow her on Twitter: @w3tiger13
Describe yourself using a book title: Oh, the Places You’ll Go! by Dr. Seuss is fitting in many ways. I’m always surprised by how God has directed my life. I’m a planner, but God never ceases to take me in directions I never would have expected. Without it, I would have never had the courage to live the life I am now. It’s quite a blessing to be able to look back on where I am, where I have been, and even where I am going.
What’s the best thing about being a librarian? My favorite part is helping people foster their love of learning and achieve their goals, while practicing my own love of libraries and technology on a daily basis.
What are you currently reading? I just finished reading The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah and it was phenomenal! Next on my list is a new book by one of my favorite authors–Murtagh by Christopher Paolini. I’m very much looking forward to reading it!
Describe ACL in three words: Professional. Invaluable. Blessing.
How do you (or How have you), as an academic librarian, contribute to your campus? It is my goal to provide a positive experience with our libraries’ electronic resources for our Creighton community. Sometimes this is through paying invoices, usage analysis, troubleshooting access issues, negotiating licenses, or ensuring discoverability. I also serve on several internal committees that have roles in e-resource management, collection development, library assessment, and more.
I began my career as a librarian…when I was in middle school. In sixth grade, I began volunteering in my rural community’s K-12 school library that eventually also became our community public library through a cooperative program. That’s where my love of libraries began! As an undergraduate student at William Jewell College, I worked in the campus library, archives, and digital library support team (we were an Apple school). This fostered my love of technology in libraries and I immediately began my MLIS at the University of Missouri after I graduated with my Bachelor’s. While completing my Master’s, I worked in the public library part-time and as a reference librarian at a local women’s college. I truly believe God was guiding my steps through all of my various experiences in libraries of all kinds because it led me to roles that have allowed me to use my passion of e-resources/technology in academic librarianship.
What do you value about ACL? I’ve found the ACL community to be invaluable because we don’t just support each other professionally, but also spiritually. Everyone in ACL is always quick to answer questions, encourage one another, and support each other through prayer and collective knowledge.
How were you introduced to ACL? A couple of co-workers at a previous institution I worked at were members and introduced me to ACL. Shoutout to Jennifer Brady and Ed Walton!
How are you or have you been involved in ACL? I was recently appointed the Assistant Coordinator for the ACL Mentoring Program, so I’ve been learning the ropes of that role! I also have started indexing for the Christian Periodical Index. Plus, I try to attend all of the ACL Conferences when I’m able, whether it is in-person or virtually–looking forward to being in St. Paul, MN this coming June!
Do you have any specific interests in the library world? Definitely technology, which is why I’m in e-resources! I also have a love of archives and special collections.