Author Archives: Matthew Hayes, Ph.D.

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.