Title: Serials Management Associate Library/Department: Electronic Resources and Serials Acquisitions (ERSA) Location: Smith Warehouse Years at Duke: Nearly 4 months! In a nutshell, what do you do at Duke University Libraries? I assist in the acquisitions work of the Serials Management Team. On any given day, this could mean saving and processing invoices for payment; communicating with vendors and subscription agents about things like renewals, cessations, format changes, and missing materials; or creating, updating, and closing order records in Alma as needed. If you had to pick one thing, what’s the best part of your job so far? It’s hard to pick just one – I really like both the variety and flexibility I’ve experienced so far in this role! While my day-to-day tasks are broadly similar, they’re never the exact same and I love that my work is so detail focused. What is the best thing you’ve read/watched/listened to recently? Spring has sprung, and that means tuning in to Spring Baking Championship! I’ve admittedly fallen down a bit of a Food Network rabbit hole recently – I’m also enjoying Tournament of Champions, 24 in 24: Last Chef Standing, and Wildcard Kitchen. What do you like most about living in The Triangle? Perhaps unsurprising based on my previous answer – the food! There are so many amazing options no matter what you’re feeling, grocery stores included. Having grown up in a very rural part of central Wisconsin, the sheer diversity within such proximity never ceases to amaze me. What do you like to do outside of work? I enjoy reading (primarily nonfiction) and gaming (historically based real-time strategy on PC), as well as cooking and traveling with my husband. Now, with the weather getting warmer, I look forward to quiet evenings spent out on our deck!
Title: Digitization Specialist Library/Department: Rubenstein Library, Digital Collections Services Location: West Campus Years at Duke: A little over 3 years In a nutshell, what do you do at Duke University Libraries? I work in the Digital Production Center alongside 3 other digitzation specialists and we work to create digital surrogates of special collections material for preservation and access. From tomes to tiny, 35mm photographic negatives, the DPC is poised to capture it all for patrons and digital collections. If you had to pick one thing, what’s the best part of your job so far? I appreciate so much about this role and this place. But, just one thing? The trust shared between me and my colleagues stands out: trust in their organization, attention to detail, and accuracy. Selfishly, it makes my job easier! Who doesn’t want that? What is the best thing you’ve read/watched/listened to recently? Listening to music helps me focus a lot of the time. The new Kendrick Lamar album is just about perfect, as well as the latest records from Sturgill Simpson and Chat Pile. I was introduced to the writer Karl Ove Knausgaard by way of his book/lecture “Inadvertent” — highly recommended not just for writers, but all makers and creatives! What do you like most about living in The Triangle? I appreciate engaging with art and artists in the Triangle. From film screenings to meetups about photography books, there’s always something cool happening it seems and it’s only growing. What do you like to do outside of work? I really value time with my family: my wife and 5-year-old daughter. We love exploring new parks and trails in the area (well, when it warms up a little!). I’m also a practicing artist.
Title: Centennial Archivist Library/Department: Rubenstein Library, University Archives Location: West Campus Years at Duke: 2 years, 4 months (as of December 2024) In a nutshell, what do you do at Duke Libraries? I work in Research Services at the Rubenstein, which means that I do reference, instruction and work desk shifts. In particular, I’ve worked on a lot of historical projects that have been spun up during the Centennial year, including the exhibit that was in the Chappell gallery (Our Duke: Constructing a Century), working on a documentary and a book with the President’s office, and helping out any other Centennial projects across campus. If I had to pick one thing, what’s the best part of your job so far? I’ll pick two things. I really enjoy working with colleagues in the RL and DUL, and I really like finding fun archival pieces to show in class sessions. Best thing I’ve read/watched/listened to recently? I’ve finally read Catcher in the Rye, many years too late. While not my favorite book, it was a good read! What do you like most about living in the Triangle? The weather is a welcome improvement over Chicago winters. What do you like to do outside of work? I enjoy watching tv and movies with friends, I volunteer, and I’ve gotten into yoga! I enjoy grabbing a good meal with friends, too!
Title: Research Services Librarian & Senior Lecturing Fellow Library/Department: J. Michael Goodson Law Library Location: School of Law, Duke University Years at Duke: I am in my third year of full-time employment, but before I joined full-time, I had the opportunity to intern at the library for a year, so technically, I am in my fourth year. In a nutshell, what do you do at Duke University Libraries? I provide reference services to students, faculty, and public patrons at the Law Library. In addition, I manage the Library’s Faculty Research Assistant Program and teach in the law school. This semester, I taught in the first year Legal Analysis Research and Writing course and an advanced legal research course, AI and Legal Research. In addition, when I have time, I work on my own scholarship. If you had to pick one thing, what’s the best part of your job so far? Like most librarians, I love learning new things, so my favorite part is when I am thrust into research in an unfamiliar area. Recently, with the advent of Generative AI, I have gotten to explore AI and its potential for use in Legal Research. What is the best thing you’ve read/watched/listened to recently? I am currently binge-watching Black Cake. I am only on Episode 5, so no spoilers if you’ve already seen it! What do you like most about living in The Triangle? We recently welcomed a puppy into our home, so I’ve loved exploring all the walking paths and parks with her. What do you like to do outside of work? Outside of work, I love crafting. I’m not very good at it, but I enjoy it none the less. Currently, I am cross-stitching a custom design inspired by Wednesday Addams for my daughter, which will one day be turned into a pillow.
Title: Electronic Resources Management Specialist Library/Department: Electronic Resources & Serials Acquisitions Location: Smith Warehouse Years at Duke: 1.5 (plus an AUXS internship a few years ago) In a nutshell, what do you do at Duke University Libraries? I am the ERM Specialist for databases. I manage database access and troubleshooting for DUL’s online research databases. Since Alma, I have been focused on data cleanup and learning new workflows. If you had to pick one thing, what’s the best part of your job so far? Focusing on just one format area (databases) allows me to develop a deep expertise in these resources and maintain a higher level of quality than if I was managing all e-resource access. I’m grateful for the size and experience of the ERM Team! What is the best thing you’ve read/watched/listened to recently? I’ve been enjoying two shows each week this fall: 1) Survivor (been a fan since I was a kid) and 2) My Brilliant Friend (Italian drama on HBO Max). As much as I love to see literary fiction turned into a prestige drama, I also really love reality TV. What do you like most about living in The Triangle? I feel lucky to live and work in an area with so many colleges and universities. It’s great to have colleagues and friends at different higher ed institutions in the area. What do you like to do outside of work? Life outside of work is busy with our toddler (2.5) and our two pets. I enjoy spending time with my family, reading, cooking, listening to podcasts, and occasionally finding time for video games.
Title: Librarian for Psychology and Neuroscience & STEM Engagement Library/Department: Natural Sciences & Engineering in Research & Public Services (mid-transition out of Library Human Resources) Location: Perkins Years at Duke: 2 In a nutshell, what do you do at Duke University Libraries? I act as the library liaison to the Psychology & Neuroscience department. I provide research consultations to faculty and students; purchase psychology books for the collection; and provide instruction to undergraduate and graduate classes in the department. I also teach library instruction in Writing 101s, provide library instruction to various groups across campus, and participate in the Ask a Librarian chat-mail service. If you had to pick one thing, what’s the best part of your job so far? I’m still very new to this role, but I missed working with students and have greatly enjoyed getting to assist students with their research once again. I love seeing a student have that lightbulb moment when they understand for the first time how to effectively harness a database for their research project. What is the best thing you’ve read/watched/listened to recently? For any action/comedy fans out there, Slow Horses Season 4 just dropped and I’ve been loving it so far! I also just finished Flynn Berry’s Northern Spy to prepare for the recent release of her sequel, Trust Her. It’s an espionage thriller set in Northern Ireland, and I found the setting and character development cozy and fascinating. What do you like most about living in The Triangle? I love the access to nature in the Triangle. I grew up in a dense metro area where parks like Eno and Umstead were hours away, so I find the Triangle’s combination of urban amenities and nature to be a great balance! What do you like to do outside of work? I spend a lot of time reading, hiking with my husband, babysitting (and spoiling!) my niece and nephew, and getting to know my brand new puppy.
Title: Technical Services Archivist Library/Department: Rubenstein Library Technical Services Location: Smith Warehouse Years at Duke: 2.5 years In a nutshell, what do you do at Duke University Libraries? I arrange and describe archival collections. I work with different formats like paper, audiovisual, born digital, and photographs. I primarily process University Archives collections so if any archival materials come into RLTS for University Archives, there’s a good chance I will be the person processing it. If you had to pick one thing, what’s the best part of your job so far? Working with the materials! I am interested in institutional history so I find working with collections related to the university’s early history and making those materials accessible to researchers very rewarding. What is the best thing you’ve read/watched/listened to recently? Lately I’ve been re-listening to one of my favorite podcasts, Heavyweight. What do you like most about living in The Triangle? I am not a fan of cooking so I love the variety of restaurants in the area. What do you like to do outside of work? I’ve been trying to improve my crocheting skills. I also do diamond paintings, which is basically color by number, but I think they are super relaxing.
Title: Chief of Staff to the University Librarian and Vice Provost for Library Affairs Library/Department: Office of the University Librarian Location: Rubenstein Library, Suite 254 Years at Duke: 1 Year, 8 months In a nutshell, what do you do at Duke University Libraries? Simply put, my main tasks are to assist Joe, and to oversee daily operations of the Office of the University Librarian through the coordination of calendars and communications, management of budgets, and general logistical support. More broadly, I like to think of myself as a resource for all the Libraries, assisting where needed and overseeing the implementation of our strategic plan. If you had to pick one thing, what’s the best part of your job so far? The best part of my job is being able to work in a library! But also a library on such a beautiful campus. I can’t help but think this everyday as I walk up Campus Drive, excepting rainy days, of course! What is the best thing you’ve read/watched/listened to recently? The best thing I read recently was I’m Not Holding Your Coat: My Bruises-and-All Memoir of Punk Rock Rebellion by Nancy Barile. I love a good music memoir, and this was especially intriguing to me because of her recounting her role in the punk scene in Philadelphia with which I wasn’t previously familiar. What do you like most about living in The Triangle? What don’t I love? I love how easy it is to get out into nature–hiking, biking, swimming; it’s all at our finger tips. The mountains and the beach are only hours away. But I don’t always want to get away! There is so much to do in the triangle from seeing great shows to eating fantastic food. I am very happy to have landed in this area. What do you like to do outside of work? I am pretty avid reader, but I also love to sew and knit. I am fairly active in the Raleigh cycling community as well, riding for the Oak City Cycling Race Team (this does not mean I am fast or an excellent bike rider). Given my background in events, I’m often putting my skills to work helping my team put on races. I also do most of our current design work, from flyers to our most recent mountain bike jersey design (I like to pretend I am an illustrator/designer from time to time). But MOST of my time is spent caring for my two dogs and four cats, which is far too many animals to have in one house.
Title: Rice Diet Program Records, Processing Librarian Library/Department: Medical Center Library and Archives Location: Medical Center Archives Years at Duke: 1.5 (in my current position) In a nutshell, what do you do at Duke University Libraries? Essentially I am a processing archivist and was hired as part of a three-year grant to arrange and describe the archival records of the Rice Diet Program. This is a large collection that consists of over 450 linear feet of materials. I also serve as liaison to the BIN Foundation and the on-going Rice Diet research project that focuses on the impact of the Rice Diet on hypertension and metabolic diseases. If you had to pick one thing, what’s the best part of your job so far? It’s hard to pick just one thing so I’ll give two. First, I am connected to a great group of colleagues here at the Medical Center Library and Archives. And second, the collection I‘m working with is endlessly fascinating from a historical, medical and cultural perspective and I love knowing the work I’m doing benefits an ongoing medical research project. What is the best thing you’ve read/watched/listened to recently? Lately, I’ve enjoyed reading many of the retellings of classical mythology and folklore like, Clytemnestra by Costanza Casati and The Fox Wife by Yangsze Choo. But, I also like speculative fiction and first contact sci-fi. Some of my recent favorite authors are N.K. Jemisin, Ann Leckie, Sylvain Neuvel and Lindsay Ellis. What do you like most about living in The Triangle? My favorite thing about living in The Triangle is its proximity to everything and because the weather is so mild you can enjoy outdoor activities almost year-round. There is always something to do, see or become involved with. What do you like to do outside of work? Aside from reading, I love to travel, try local cuisine/foods and experience different cultures. I also enjoy spending time in, and learning about nature. Some of my favorite activities are gardening, hiking, going on foraging tours, and spending time with my husband and our dog.
Title: E-Access Librarian Library/Department: Electronic Resources & Serials Acquisitions (ERSA) Location: Smith Warehouse Years at Duke: 9 months In a nutshell, what do you do at Duke University Libraries? I support access and discovery of our e-resources and fix any access issues as they pop up. If you had to pick one thing, what’s the best part of your job so far? I love the flexibility of my role. I work mostly off-site and with my work projects, none of my days are exactly the same. What is the best thing you’ve read/watched/listened to recently? I have two great things to share! The best fiction I’ve read recently was the first book in The MurderBot Diaries: All Systems Red by Martha Wells. My best recent non-fiction read was How to Keep House while Drowning by KC Davis. What do you like most about living in The Triangle? Each part of the Triangle gives me a different vibe and experience and since I’m fairly new to Duke & North Carolina, it’s all an exploratory journey. What do you like to do outside of work? I like to write fiction novels and novellas, watch movies with friends, and travel across the country solo or with my family.
Title: Collection Analysis Librarian Library/Department: Collection Strategy & Development. Location: Perkins Years at Duke: About 7 years at Duke total (As Academic Assistant at Duke Law from 2013-2018, and at the library about 2 years (including my internship with ERSA)). In a nutshell, what do you do at Duke University Libraries? Investigate questions about the library collections (electronic and print) by researching and combining data from different sources. If you had to pick one thing, what’s the best part of your job so far? It’s the access to resources for me, hands down. I absolutely love having access to all of the books and journal articles and databases. And if we don’t have it – I can inter-library loan it! I feel like nothing is unavailable – it’s a beautiful thing. What is the best thing you’ve read/watched/listened to recently? I was doing some research in the stacks and ran across the book A Dream in Polar Fog by Yuri Rytkheu. It’s a beautiful description of life in the Chukchi community in northern Siberia in the early 1900’s. What do you like most about living in The Triangle? There’s a lot to love about living in this area – I love that we are equidistant from the beach and the mountains, and there are so many things to do – museums, performing arts, restaurants, hiking. What do you like to do outside of work? I spend my non work time hanging out with my family, sewing, quilting and crocheting. I also like to garden, read and I enjoy going out to eat with my husband as well as traveling.
Title: Associate Director for Content and Discovery Location/Library Department: Medical Center Library Years at Duke: 1.3 years In a nutshell, what do you do at Duke University Libraries? I oversee all aspects of the Medical Center Library’s general collections, including collection development, licensing, resource management and discovery. Additionally, I provide oversight of the library’s access services unit. If you had to pick one thing, what’s the best part of your job so far? The best part of my job so far is collaborating with talented and dedicated, and team members on a daily basis. What is the best thing you’ve read/watched/listened to recently? Recently, I have been reading Aldous Huxley’s “Brave New World”, a dystopian novel that explores a futuristic society based around Henry Ford’s assembly line. It is captivating and leaves you wondering what will happen next. What do you like most about living in The Triangle? I appreciate the fantastic food scene and rich selection of international cuisine and grocery options. What do you like to do outside of work? Outside work, I enjoy reading, cooking and traveling.
Title: Deric Hardy, Librarian for Science and Engineering Library/Department: Perkins Library, Natural Sciences & Engineering Location: Perkins 233 Years at Duke: 1.4 year In a nutshell, what do you do at Duke University Libraries? As the Science and Engineering subject librarian, I liaise with researchers, staff, and students within the Pratt School of Engineering. I collaborate with fellow DUL staff to deliver library instruction, reference/research assistance, user-centered programming, and library services. I also work with several committees and programs in Duke University Libraries and the Pratt School of Engineering. If you had to pick one thing, what’s the best part of your job so far? The best part of my job is helping to foster lifelong connections and partnerships with the Duke University academic community. I work daily towards accomplishing these goals through a highly responsive and customer service-focused approach to library patron’s requests for reference/research information, library resources, and services. What is the best thing you’ve read/watched/listened to recently? A great book that I have recently read is titled, “Becoming an Embedded Librarian: Making Connections in the Classroom” by Michelle Reale. Becoming an embedded librarian is essential to my knowledge of current and emerging engineering research, pedagogy for library instruction, and best collection practices. What do you like most about living in The Triangle? The Triangle has so much to offer by way of colleges and universities, sports venues, outdoor recreation, and entertainment. It’s a great place to maintain a healthy work-life balance. What do you like to do outside of work? During the warmer months, I am an avid bank fisherman. I enjoy small tackle fishing.
Title: Collection Services Associate, Circulation Manager Library/Department: Duke Law Library, Collection Services Location: Duke Law Library, 210 Science Drive, Durham, NC 27708 Years at Duke: 30 years In a nutshell, what do you do at Duke University Libraries? I manage student assistants daily in the Collection Services Department. If you had to pick one thing, what’s the best part of your job so far? Working while learning together with my student assistants. What is the best thing you’ve read/watched/listened to recently? I spent time with my granddaughter watching Paw Patrol at the Brier Creek Theatre. What do you like most about living in The Triangle? There’s always something to do, places to choose from for excitement, relaxation, or whatever you’re interested in at the time. What do you like to do outside of work? Spend time with my family, relax and watch good movies.
Title: Staff Assistant Library/Department: University Librarian Location: Library Administration Office, RL Suite 254 Years at Duke: 2 years in January 2024 In a nutshell, what do you do at Duke University Libraries? In a nutshell, I provide support to the Libraries’ Executive Group and help colleagues throughout DUL with administrative/logistics issues. As the Libraries Event Management System (EMS) administrator, I also serve as a liaison to the greater Duke Community using certain spaces/hosting events in the library. If you had to pick one thing, what’s the best part of your job so far? The best part of my job is the way I’ve been able to learn from my colleagues. Before starting this job, I was a paralegal so, many of the programs that I work with were new to me. My colleagues have been so kind and generous with their time and skills, and I have learned a lot from many of them. I also love that I get to engage with the myriad departments and goings on in the Libraries and at Duke University. For example, I have attended lectures on climate change solutions hosted by the Nicholas School, volunteered at Duke Campus Farm, attended Women’s and Men’s soccer games, and I’m currently attending PRIDE Foundational Seminars at Duke’s Center For Sexual and Gender Diversity. And so much more! There are always opportunities to learn and do something new and it’s so much fun. What is the best thing you’ve read/watched/listened to recently? Loki! It’s a TV series based on Marvel Comics about the heroes and anti-heroes of the Sacred Timeline, a multiverse and the Time Variance Authority (TVA). (Disclaimer: I don’t read comic books.) What do you like most about living in The Triangle? I like that there are so many vegan restaurants to explore. I like eating and not cooking, so this works out nicely. So far, my favorite restaurant remains Pure Soul in Durham, but Element in downtown Raleigh is a close second. What do you like to do outside of work? I like spending time with my family, Luis (husband) and Emily (daughter; 3.5 years old). We enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, biking, and swimming, and indoor activities, like watching movies. I also like exploring libraries with Emily, and resting.
Title: Library Technology Manager Library/Department: Digital Strategies and Technology Location: Bostock (Room 033 in the DST suite if you want to come see all the tech off casts that accumulate in my office) Years at Duke: 1 year and a few months In a nutshell: I work with staff computing and AV spaces along with all the budgeting, policies, and workflows that come with them. Best part of my job: You know when you get a new electronic device that has the protective plastic on it and there’s a little thrill of peeling it off? I get to do that a lot. But seriously, I think the best part of my job is that I get to work with every department across DUL. The Libraries are full of amazing people, and it’s a joy to get to work with everyone. Best thing I’ve read/watched/listened to recently: I’m a little late to the party, but I recently watched Grey Gardens for the first time and loved it. Like about living in The Triangle: There are so many great restaurants here that I know I’ll never run out of ones to explore. Like to do outside of work: When I have the time, I like to build things or work on the house. I also enjoy playing video games and have been working through Tears of the Kingdom for a while now.
Title: Monographic Acquisitions and Processing Assistant Library/Department: Perkins / Collections Services Location: Smith Warehouse Years at Duke: 1 year in September In a nutshell, what do you do at Duke University Libraries? I like to tell people I get to look through books all day. I do a lot of copy cataloging of monographs, scores, and AV materials but I also have hands on everything from receiving and unboxing new shipments of books to getting items “shelf ready” with stamps, barcodes, and security strips, to paying invoices and guiding books on their way to their home library. If you had to pick one thing, what’s the best part of your job so far? I love getting to see the diversity of materials we receive daily – from a small press short story collection to new and noteworthy nonfiction to books headed to Lilly, Music, and the Rubenstein rare books collection. I also really appreciate that everyone in our department works together as a team and is willing to jump in to answer all my newbie questions or to solve the latest book mystery which could be anything from a missing, duplicated, or oddly shaped book with no clear place to affix a call number label. What the best thing you’ve read/watched/listened to recently? I always like to have a good mix of things to read and listen to at once. In my current rotation is Why Did I Ever, a beautiful fragmented novel by Mary Robison that I’m really loving. I’m alternating that with reading through Henning Mankell crime novels set in the winters of Sweden as an escape from this summer heat. And finally, and most exciting, my sister just published her first book and even though I’m biased, it is a truly outstanding read that I can’t recommend enough, Strange Hours: Photography, Memory, and the Lives of Artists by Rebecca Bengal. Current listens include local band Object Hours’ LP “Piece Goods”, a mix of ‘80s hip hop which I find is a great accompaniment to copy cataloging for some reason, and I’m so glad to have just discovered Ethiopian pianist Emahoy Tsegue-Maryam Guebrou. What do you like most about living in The Triangle? I feel lucky that we have such beautiful outdoor spaces to hike and explore in these parts as well as having independently-owned places to eat, shop, and see art, film, and live music. Shout out to a few favorites: hiking any and everywhere along the Eno River, Kings Red & White Grocery, Shadowbox Studio, and Super Taqueria. What do you like to do outside of work? Oh a lot of things! You can find me hiking in the woods behind my house, working on photography and writing projects, trying to learn the bass, puttering around the house and yard with my husband, and hanging out with my 12-year-old son as much as he’ll put up with it.
Title: Librarian for Latin American, Iberian and Latino Studies Library/Department: International and Area Studies Location: Perkins Library Years at Duke: Ten months In a nutshell, what do you do at Duke University Libraries? I develop our collections from and about Latin America, the Iberian Peninsula, and U.S. Latinos, as well as provide research assistance and instruction to students, faculty, and other researchers. If you had to pick one thing, what’s the best part of your job so far? I can’t pick just one thing, so here are a few: I love that my geographic area is so expansive because every research consultation that I do is different and keeps me on my toes (I appreciate learning about new topics, regions, sources, etc.). Also, I have brilliant and easy-going colleagues! Oh, and the opportunity to go abroad and acquire library materials isn’t bad, either! What the best thing you’ve read/watched/listened to recently? I recently finished Punk Paradox by Greg Graffin. It is Graffin’s memoir covering his idyllic, smalltown Wisconsin childhood, his coming-of-age in the early 80s Los Angeles punk scene, and his 40+ year tenure as frontman for one of that scene’s biggest bands — all while pursuing an academic career as an evolutionary biologist. I am also getting through Days of Rage by Bryan Burrough, an account of the war between the FBI and the bomb-happy radical underground of the 70s. What do you like most about living in The Triangle? I like that there are actually trees here. I come from the land of scraggly palms and concrete. So, going on daily walks in the forest is nice and different! What do you like to do outside of work? See the last two questions. Also, I recently started cooking almost daily. And when I don’t cook, I like to sample the Triangle’s culinary offerings! I recommend Hutchin’s Garage.
Title: Librarian for Marine Science Library/Department: Head, Marine Lab Library/Research & Public Services Location: The Pearse Memorial Library at the Duke University Marine Lab is located in the lovely coastal town of Beaufort, NC. Years at Duke: I started at Duke in August 2017, so 6 years this August. In a nutshell, what do you do at Duke University Libraries? As the librarian for Marine Science, I support the research and teaching needs of faculty, students, visiting scholars, and staff in the Marine Science & Conservation Division of the Nicholas School of the Environment. This can mean all sorts of things depending on who is asking a question. I might help researchers pick the most appropriate source to search, help them understand why the got the results that they did, teach students how to think critically about their information they are finding, advise on copyright issues, or teach someone how to keep track of all their citations. I am always on the lookout for ways I can collaborate with the Marine Lab community and ways to strengthen the connection in the libraries and externally between the Marine Lab in Beaufort and main campus in Durham. I do some collection development, buying resources that support the research, teaching, and general interest of faculty, staff, and students. When I am wearing my other hat, Head of the Marine Lab Library, I deal with a little bit of everything including access issues, stack maintenance, and dehumidifiers to deal with the high humidity in the building earlier this week. If you had to pick one thing, what’s the best part of your job so far? Just one? I’ve been lucky enough to have amazing colleagues who continue to support me as I transition to this new role AND I gained an entire island of fantastic new colleagues. Hmmm, I guess that is one thing but two different locations. What the best thing you’ve read/watched/listened to recently? I just finished reading The Puzzler by A. J. Jacobs. If you want to laugh, I highly recommend reading any of his books. This particular one comes with access to a pdf full of puzzles for the reader to solve! What do you like most about living in The Triangle Beaufort? The views. I am in awe of the view every time I drive over Beaufort Highrise Bridge on my way home from the Marine Lab. What do you like to do outside of work? I love all types of games and puzzles, especially jigsaw puzzles and Sudoku. I’ve been quilting and doing yoga for many, many years and have discovered some new places to do both (not at the same time) on the coast. Recently though, I’ve been spending a lot of time talking….the locals are delightfully chatty, especially once they hear my Massachusetts accent.
Title: First-Year Experience Librarian & Librarian for Disability Studies Library/Department: Research & Public Services Location: Lilly Library Years at Duke: 6 In a nutshell, what do you do at Duke University Libraries? I’ll say what I often tell students when introducing myself in the classroom… I help students make the transition from high school to doing college-level research here at Duke. As the First-Year Experience Librarian I’m involved in a bunch of instruction, outreach, and assessment work. This includes leading the Residence Hall Librarian program, helping plan and coordinate outreach events like the Lilly Open House and the end-of-semester miniature therapy horses event, and co-leading the First-Year Library Advisory Board (FYLAB). This year’s FYLAB has been great for getting feedback to help guide the Lilly Renovation. I’m also the library liaison to the Thompson Writing Program, so I coordinate library instruction for Writing 101 (a writing class that all first-year Duke students take) and think critically about how we teach foundational research concepts in the classroom. As Librarian for Disability Studies, I select disability-related titles for the collection and provide research and instruction support in this area. This past year, I’ve been involved in an accessibility assessment project at DUL, which has been a really rewarding experience. If you had to pick one thing, what’s the best part of your job so far? I really like teaching students how to do research, whether it’s in the classroom, during a research consultation, or at the Lilly desk. It’s especially gratifying when working with a student who may be unfamiliar with or tentative about academic libraries and research. Seeing them leave feeling more confident about how to do research on their topic is great. I also have to shout out my colleagues for making this such an interesting place to work, especially the people at East Campus Libraries. As an early-ish career librarian, I’ve learned a ton from my colleagues and have greatly benefited from the collaborative nature of DUL. What’s the best thing you’ve read/watched/listened to recently? I’m 3 books deep in the 21-volume Aubrey-Maturin series by Patrick O’Brian. You may be familiar with the film Master and Commander which was adapted from this series. It’s set during the Napoleonic Wars of the early 19th century, and follows the friendship of Jack Aubrey, officer in the British navy, and Stephen Maturin, surgeon, biologist, and man of mystery. There’s a bit of a learning curve when starting out due to all the nautical terminology (you will not believe how many different sails there are on a Royal Navy ship), but it’s a very entertaining and surprisingly funny read. I also recently enjoyed Polish writer Olga Tokarczuk’s ecofeminist murder mystery, Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead. What do you like most about living in The Triangle? The combination of access to nature + all the cool cultural stuff the Triangle has going on. I live close to the Eno River State Park and it’s awesome to be able to go for a hike and see herons, kingfishers, turtles, snakes, and more, and then drive 15 minutes and be at a great restaurant or concert venue. What do you like to do outside of work? I like hiking, cycling, trail running, and exploring the mountains and streams of NC with my wife and our English Setter. I’m an avid St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan and follow the NBA closely. I also enjoy going to see the excellent musicians and bands we get touring through the Triangle, especially at Cat’s Cradle and the Pinhook.
Title: Library Associate for Circulation & Reference Library/Department: Divinity Library Location: West Campus Years at Duke: Coming up on 2! In a nutshell, what do you do at Duke University Libraries? I have two main functions: I manage all aspects of Access and Delivery Services/the Circulation desk at Divinity where I supervise all of our front-desk student workers. I also provide reference, tutoring, and sometimes teaching primarily in Old Testament/Biblical Studies and Information Literacy. The Divinity Library has five staff members, and we all wear many different hats! If you had to pick one thing, what’s the best part of your job so far? Being able to pair my niche academic background (PhD in Hebrew Bible) with a library job and feeling appreciated for what I bring to the position. That and the amazing colleagues I have been fortunate to land among at Divinity and DUL as a whole. What the best thing you’ve read/watched/listened to recently? The Danish novel Meter i Sekundet (The Land of Short Sentences) which is about a young woman moving from the big city to the countryside. It’s a really quirky book and the author has included several songs/poems that are now really popular in Denmark. It really catches the slight melancholy of living far out and far away from a vibrant big city. I am waiting for the movie version to hit an American streaming service. What do you like most about living in The Triangle? The bakeries! And the many places to hike around here. After many years in Texas, I also appreciate having four(-ish) seasons. What do you like to do outside of work? I am trying to turn my vine covered backyard into a pollinator friendly paradise. It’s going so-so. I have also been renovating several rooms in our house (top-to-bottom), so I suppose you could say my current hobby is DIYing.
Title: Archibald C. and Frances Fulk Rufty Research Professor of Law, Associate Dean of Information Services, and Director of J. Michael Goodson Law Library Library/Department: Duke Law School Location: 210 Science Drive, Durham Campus Years at Duke: A bit over 1.5 years In a nutshell, what do you do at Duke University Libraries? I am the Director of the Goodson Law Library. My team and I work closely with colleagues at the Duke University Libraries and other independent libraries on campus on many fronts, from access, reference, data, and research services to library management system, collection development, archive, and scholarly communication. If you had to pick one thing, what’s the best part of your job so far? People and their wisdom. I cannot express enough how fortunate I feel to have joined the Goodson Law Library crew. They are approachable, intelligent, diligent, knowledgeable, and open-minded in many aspects! I know this is true with our colleagues at other libraries on campus too, and I am eager to learn more from everyone! What the best thing you’ve read/watched/listened to recently? This is an interesting time to be asked this question, because I am so drawn into natural language processing at the moment. I have been watching Stanford’s CS224U (natural language understanding) course online, where I have learned so much about NLP. For someone with no prior training in data science, or computer science, I found this course to be highly engaging, easy to follow, and fun. It introduces me to a wide range of tools and conceptual frameworks that I could use for analyzing legal texts, examining lawmaking and rulemaking process, and evaluating legal research databases and search engines. Without a doubt, we are rapidly entering the “data-driven” age. It may seem paradoxical, but what is absolutely indispensable at the current stage is subject-specific knowledge and expert reasoning. To me, this means now is a crucial time for everyone, especially non-data and computer science domain experts, librarians, and researchers, to comprehend the architecture and different models and theories that underpin machine learning and computational research methodologies, to explore how we can integrate our domain expertise into the process, and more importantly, to investigate how we may benefit from all the machine learning-driven research and development to further refine our own domain knowledge and expertise. What do you like most about living in The Triangle? Weather and nature. What do you like to do outside of work? Binge-watching TV shows, shopping, and eating (but not cooking).
Title: Senior Library Exhibition Technician Library/Department: David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library / Exhibition Services Location: West Campus Years at Duke: 5.5 years In a nutshell, what do you do at Duke University Libraries? I work with Meg Brown to support curators (faculty members, librarians, students, members from Durham communities) from a wide variety of disciplines on campus through the libraries’ exhibition program. I support them in creating an exhibit from the beginning to the end including tracking all of the exhibit materials, creating cradles and mounts, and installing an exhibit that looks beautiful. If you had to pick one thing, what’s the best part of your job so far? I enjoy seeing various audiences enjoy the exhibits that we create. It is very rewarding for me to see how audiences are enjoying the exhibits and engaged viewers make the curators happy. Also, I get to see and handle interesting exhibit materials and always I learn something new from every exhibit. What the best thing you’ve read/watched/listened to recently? I recently watched a movie called Decision to Leave by Park Chan-Wook. I always love the cinematography of this director. What do you like most about living in The Triangle? I definitely like the size of the area – not too crowded but not too small either. I’ve lived in various places from big cities to small college towns. Of all the places that I’ve been to, I like the Triangle so far. I love Chicken Bee at 9th street. If you would like to try Korean Fried Chicken, you should try there. What do you like to do outside of work? I enjoy trying new Asian restaurants, knitting (recently) and watching Korean dramas on Netflix.
Title: Ford Library Director Library/Department: Ford Library, The Fuqua School of Business Location: Breeden Hall, The Fuqua School of Business Years at Duke: 26 In a nutshell, what do you do at Duke University Libraries? I’m the Director of Ford Library, one of Duke’s four independent professional school libraries. I provide leadership and direction for the Ford Library, developing long- and short-range plans to design and implement library programs and services. I provide oversight and guidance as needed to a team of professional librarians and paraprofessional staff; and represent the Ford Library to the faculty, staff, and administrators of The Fuqua School of Business, other Duke Libraries, Duke University, the TRLN (Triangle Research Library Network) Library consortium, and professional associations such as the Academic Business Library Directors Group. I also lead and manage a specialized team that licenses and deploys data and online research resources requested by researchers; create access procedures, write documentation, and provide data extractions or conversions when requested. If you had to pick one thing, what’s the best part of your job so far? Working and collaborating with our Ford Library staff and the staff and leadership of Duke Libraries. I find it especially satisfying to work closely with researchers, vendors, and colleagues across Duke Libraries to connect researchers to the resources they need. What’s the best thing you’ve read/watched/listened to recently? Reading: David Downing’s “Station” historical fiction novels focused on an Anglo-American journalist living in Berlin prior to, during, and after WW2. Watching: “The Man in the High Castle” on Amazon Prime Listening: “Honestly” – a podcast hosted by Bari Weiss What do you like most about living in The Triangle? Almost everything except the humidity in the summers! What do you like to do outside of work? Hiking and cycling, reading for pleasure, and singing sacred choral music
Title: Librarian for Research, Engagement, and Instruction Library/Department: Duke Divinity Library Location: West Campus, Divinity Library Years at Duke: Four In a nutshell, what do you do at Duke University Libraries? I manage Divinity reserves, meet with classes to teach research skills, meet with students and faculty one on one to assist their research, co-direct Duke Divinity Pride, and serve on a few Divinity and DUL committees. If you had to pick one thing, what’s the best part of your job so far? Hands down my favorite part of my job is working with students one-on-one or teaching research skills to classes. We joke that I’m the most extroverted librarian on our staff, and it’s true—the best part of my job is the constant interaction with students and faculty. That said, the Divinity library also has a bunny named Hildegard (check out her staff page here!), and it’s a constant joy to share an office/library space with a bunny! What the best thing you’ve read/watched/listened to recently? I’ve been reading aloud A.S.Byatt’s Possession with a friend, and that’s been wonderful! And, I recently watched and loved the show Heartstopper on Netflix, which is a warm and delightful queer comedy. What do you like most about living in The Triangle? Guglhuph Bakery, Bahn’s vegetarian special, and all of the ways in which Durham folks take care of other Durham folks. What do you like to do outside of work? I go to a lot of live theater at PlayMaker’s in Chapel Hill, go hiking on the Eno, and I enjoy working with Durham’s community refrigerator projects.
Title: Lilly Library Media & Reserves Coordinator Library/Department: Research & Public Services Location: Lilly Library Years at Duke: I’ve been in my current position since October 4, 2021. This is my second stint as a Duke employee. I enjoyed three years (~2011-13) working at The Gothic Bookshop before pursuing a dream of working in the movie making business. In a nutshell, what do you do at Duke University Libraries? I work with Danette Pachtner here at Lilly on all things media and film related. Processing and fulfilling streaming video film reserve requests claims the bulk of my time along with class reserve book requests for Lilly use and requests for films which instructors want to show in class. I’m also responsible for readying new physical media (DVDs) to go to the shelves, shepherding film requests from our TRLN colleagues, and working the front desk at Lilly, along with acting sometimes as an early warning alert system for basement level water incursions as I’m the only Lilly staff with a basement office! If you had to pick one thing, what’s the best part of your job so far? Getting to come to Lilly Library on Duke’s lovely East campus every day and work with the fine folks here! (My maternal grandmother was a student worker in this very building during her undergraduate years at Duke, so I’ve got a soft spot for Lilly.) What the best thing you’ve read/watched/listened to recently? Book: Maggie O’Farrell’s memoir I Am, I Am, I Am: Seventeen Brushes With Death (O’Farrell, 2017) – A heartstoppingly (Sorry!) beautiful series of essays chronicling a lifetime’s worth of close calls. What do you like most about living in The Triangle? I’m a native of the NC Piedmont region, having been born and raised in Winston-Salem. I have been in Durham since 1995. Although Durham has changed a lot, I appreciate how it retains elements of small-town charm while also having more cosmopolitan aspects. What do you like to do outside of work? I’ve recently started taking a carpentry class and I’m enjoying it greatly, even though it meets on the same night as my bowling league, which I am missing. I enjoy reading, watching films and tv. I play a little tennis, rather poorly, now and then. I hang out with my wife Carrie and our two cats Archie and Nina and I enjoy cooking but am still trying to develop my grocery shopping skills!
Title: Metadata Architect Library/Department: Digital Collections and Curation Services Location: Bostock Library, West Campus Years at Duke: 7 in September In a nutshell, what do you do at the Duke University Libraries? I’m responsible for metadata governance and support for DUL’s repository platforms, including the Duke Digital Repository, DukeSpace, and the Research Data Repository. This involves determining how metadata should be structured and ensuring it conforms to best practices and standards. If you had to pick one thing, what’s the best part of your job so far? I have to pick two things! One, my colleagues – I’m so grateful to be able to work with people who are smart, generous, dedicated, and fun. Two, the content – our repositories are stuffed with interesting materials. What the best thing you’ve read/watched/listened to recently? I recently read Pachinko by Min Jin Lee, and really enjoyed it. My kids (8 & 11 years old) and I like to read together, and we just finished The Parker Inheritance by Varian Johnson – it was great. Also, the Throughline podcast is a regular favorite of mine. What do you like to do outside work? I like to hang out with my dog. I’d like to hang out with your dog, if you’ve got one. Really, any dogs. I also like non-dog activities, such as running with friends and spending too much money at the Carrboro Farmers’ Market.
Title: Staff Assistant Library/Department: David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Administration Location: Rubenstein Library, West Campus Years at Duke: 6 months In a nutshell, what do you do at the Duke University Libraries? My role at DUL is to support all the programming and services that arise from the lovely Rubenstein library crew, in both an administrative/planning role and as the go-to person for any financial transactions and needs. We have an array of diverse curatorial centers, and we serve students, faculty, and researchers both locally and internationally. If you had to pick one thing, what’s the best part of your job so far? I’m interested in a career in the library science field, and hope to enroll into an MLIS program in the near future. The best part of my job is learning all the different ways that librarians serve the community, and all the possibilities open to me in my future. Additionally, I love looking at collections in the University Archives and all the different exhibits. What the best thing you’ve read/watched/listened to recently? I’ve been reading significantly more books recently, since I only semi-recently finished up my undergraduate career. I even discovered a series of mystery novels about a small-town Southern library assistant turned detective! But the best book I’ve read recently is This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straub. It’s a different take on time-travel and I recommend it – even if you’re not normally into magical realism. What do you like to do outside work? In a past professional life, I was a sous chef and worked in restaurants, bakeries, and in food marketing. I love learning new recipes, especially the home cooking of my childhood. My family is South Asian and Southeast Asian, two cultures that aren’t prone to written recipes. But it’s so fun to experiment! I have an energetic dog that loves going on walks, and I like going on local hikes with her. The Confluence Natural Area off the Eno River in Hillsborough, NC is a favorite spot.
Title: Access Services Librarian Library/Department: Perkins – ADS Location: West Campus (Perkins) Years at Duke: 7 months In a nutshell, what do you do at your library and in your division? (DUL, Medical Center, Law, Divinity, Ford) At Perkins I’m responsible for aligning services at the Service Desk with the priorities of the larger department in support of connecting patrons with broader DUL resources, spaces and programs. We’re currently navigating what this looks like post-ish-pandemic and taking a deep look at how to better manage workflows and service expectations to balance patron demand and staff capacity. It’s a challenging – and rewarding – role. What is the best thing you’ve read/watched/listened to recently? Beyoncé’s “Break My Soul”. Hands down. I’m obsessed. What do you like to do outside of work? Rest. It’s a sacred priority with an hour-long commute. Beyond that, hiking is a favorite and simple time with friends over a home-cooked meal. I am traveling out of the country to London for the first time in my 29 years next month; I hope to put a good number of stamps on my passport. This trip is for the anniversary of my 29th birthday. I’m not turning 30 yet. If you had to pick one thing, what’s the best part of your job so far? The best part of my job is how welcomed I have felt by DUL and every single person here. Even if my introversion made it hard to receive. In my Black colleagues, I feel professional belonging. I feel more and more each day that we are simply friends by virtue of sharing the same professional space for so much time out of our weeks. We see each other. We seek each other out to encourage one another and…share in things that are distinctly us. By my white colleagues, I do not feel tokenized – I feel heard. I feel like true connections happen. I feel there’s adequate space made for my humanity that’s balanced by challenges to grow. I truly feel that diversity and inclusion are the goals and there’s meaningful progress being made…even while equity is being refined. My role can be a bit challenging in the sheer amount of information that’s required of me and for public services. It’s highly dependent on relationships. It gets stressful. But I’m grateful that these relationships (the best part of my job) are so strong.
Title: LIbrarian for British Studies and General History Library/Department: Duke University Libraries - Research and Instructional Services Location: Lilly Library Years at Duke: 21 years in this position. I lived close by and visited as a child and I was an undergraduate here. In a nutshell, what do you do at your library and in your division? (DUL, Medical Center, Law, Divinity, Ford) I help users find materials relevant to their research especially about history. Sometimes this is providing specific resources that they can use, but often I make suggestions about how to frame search terms and strategies so that they can search again as their interests evolve. Much of my work involves finding sources that are not located in the Duke Libraries, especially since the internet and the ability to borrow from other libraries has become so powerful. I work with my library colleagues to enhance our collections and services, and I buy for our library in History of Science, Military History, and for Great Britain and much of the former Commonwealth. If you had to pick one thing, what is the most enjoyable part of your job? (25-50 words) I enjoy the process of working on questions with researchers and with my colleagues. Sometimes I offer advice and never see the patron again, but often these relationships have lasted for many years. What is the best thing you’ve read/watched/listened to recently? I am reading pretty widely for an upcoming blog post on Black/White relations at Duke and around Durham from about 1924 to roughly 1971 when I started college. I have been on a kick for Russian movies about World War Two (the Great Patriotic War). You have to love Netflix and Amazon! I’ve recently enjoyed a series called The Attackers which has great acting but laughable subtitles. Another recent favorite also beautifully photographed and acted is The Dawns Here Are Quiet. What do you like to do outside of work? I like to hang out and I am a long-struggling (thankfully, not long-suffering) amateur musician. My father and his siblings were especially musical and were trained from an early age. Aunts and uncles who would play and sing and dance and who supported my interest has been a blessing. I have played many genres of popular music and I participate in a fairly large community of musicians around the country. I am currently trying to understand and to interpret popular jazz songs from the 1920s-1950s, like “Darn That Dream.”
Title: Team-Lead Non-Roman Languages Unit Library/Department: Monograph Acquisitions, Technical Services Location: Smith Warehouse Years at Duke: 12 years and 11 months: I was born and raised in Casablanca, Morocco until l moved to Durham, NC in 2008. (I speak Arabic, French, English, and a little bit of Spanish) In a nutshell, what do you do at the Duke University Libraries? As Team Lead of the Non-Roman Unit in the Monograph Acquisitions Department, TS, I manage the daily operations of the Non-Roman Languages Unit by assisting the team, answering questions regarding acquisitions procedures and policies, communicating with foreign vendors and subject librarians, and doing outreach and collaborating with other departments when language expertise is needed. Finally, I place orders for the Middle Eastern languages with a concentration in Arabic, pay invoices, and copy catalog materials to make them accessible to patrons. If you had to pick one thing, what’s the best part of your job so far? As an extravert, what I love most about my job is socializing and working with people, creating a team and an environment of happy and productive people. It keeps me motivated and engaged. What the best thing you’ve read/watched/listened to recently? I am now reading Morocco: The Islamist Awakening and Other Challenges by Marvine Howe. I recommend it to those interested in knowing Moroccan customs and culture and also the evolution of its democracy. I enjoy watching Abbot Elementary, The Wonder Years, and Call the Midwife. I love listening to Adele and classical Arabic singers. What do you like to do outside work? I love cooking all different kind of food, especially Moroccan food. I also love walking, rowing, knitting, travelling and discovering other areas of the world, watching sports and shopping.
Representing the staff of Duke Libraries
