Category Archives: Get to Know your Colleagues

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: 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).