Role at DUL: Librarian for the Nicholas School of the Environment & Chemistry
Library/Department: Perkins Library, Research & Public Services, Natural Sciences & Engineering
Location: West Campus
Years at Duke: 2.5 years
In a nutshell, what do you do at Duke University Libraries?
As a subject librarian, I primarily conduct research consultations with students and faculty and offer classroom instruction. I work closely with the Nicholas School of the Environment, especially their Master of Environmental Management (MEM) students, and the Department of Chemistry. My research consultations typically revolve around how best to navigate scholarly databases to find literature and best practices for citation management. My classroom instruction sessions range from first-year writing classes to graduate-level research methods classes. Duke students are so freakishly smart and driven, but at the same time, also your average Gen Z young adult—I love working with them.
If you had to pick one thing, what’s the best part of your job so far?
I love the moment when teaching students about library services and resources that things *click* with them. They realize that using a database over Google Scholar will make their literature search infinitely more effective, or they learn about the wonders of Zotero and citation management over keeping a folder of random PDFs on their desktop. This is why I love research consultations so much, you get to work one-on-one with either a single student or a small group and customize your teaching specifically to their research project. It’s also super fun learning all about these niche research areas that students are pursuing. One of the best parts of being a librarian is being involved in many different types of research on campus…but not having to actually conduct it or do the writing.
What the best thing you’ve read/watched/listened to recently?
For all my colleagues in NSE who hear me talk about my favorite band non-stop, cover your ears—my absolute favorite band is Ghost, a Swedish rock/metal band. I saw them twice in concert this year, both in Raleigh and in Houston, and am hoping to see them again next January. They’re an infectiously addictive blend of 80s glam rock and doom/black metal. Add to the mix their over-the-top theatrical costuming and face paint, and you’ve got one seriously entertaining band. If I’ve convinced you to listen to them, I recommend starting with “Mary on a Cross,” “Dance Macabre,” or “Lachryma.”
What do you like most about living in The Triangle?
The trees. I spent a good portion of my childhood in the piney woods of East Texas, so living here reminds me of that. And what the Triangle lacks in real barbecue (I’m sorry, but nothing beats Texas barbecue), it makes up for in a having a super diverse community, drivability and proximity to both the beach and mountains (plus, it doesn’t take 12+ hours to drive across the state), and biscuits.
What do you like to do outside of work?
My life mostly revolves around my dog, being in nature, and food. I have a four-year-old Pitbull-Dachshund mix named Ruby (AKA Beans or Rhubarb) and recently lost my almost 16-year-old Pomeranian-Dachshund mix, Sullivan. I love hiking and spending time in nature, though I’m a notoriously bad birdwatcher because I talk too much and often elicit dirty looks from the hardcore bird fanatics. I’m a sucker for dessert and believe everyone should try the Snickers & Heath Toffee milkshake at Cook Out at least once.
