Librarianship

Amy Slowik

Time at DePauw: 

Amy is a 2004 graduate, with majors in Art History and English Literature. She worked in the Visual Resource Center (our former library space in Peeler) while at DePauw and also worked full-time in Roy O. West the summer after she graduated, getting a lot of hands-on experience with a variety of projects. 

One of her advisors suggested academic librarianship "as a way to stay involved in academia and have an intellectually stimulating career without the publish-or-perish and teaching pressures." 

She believes that DePauw was an excellent springboard for a career in librarianship, as it prepared her to be a good communicator and critical thinker. 

Further Education: 

Amy earned an MA in Art History/Humanities at University of Chicago in 2005 (the Master of Arts Program in the Humanities). She then received her MLIS at University of Iowa (getting a scholarship as a Digital Library Fellow) in 2009. 

Current Job:

Amy is the Manager of Borrowing & Circulation at the Russell Library, part of the Middletown (CT) Public Libraries. She loves "being on the leadership team of a large(ish) urban/suburban library. We're well-funded and situated in a progressive small city, so there's a lot of opportunity for innovation and creativity at my library. As a manager in public services, I get to spearhead initiatives like going fine-free, going green, going digital, and removing barriers to access for economically and socially-disadvantaged populations in my town."

Other Library Experience: 

Prior to her current position, Amy has served in a wide variety of roles and at a diverse group of libraries. She has been in a school and academic libraries, in addition to public libraries. "In all three types of librarianship, I've led initiatives to make the library accessible from throughout campus and from patrons' homes, which is challenging and fun. Librarianship today is very much about outreach, technology, democracy, and teaching."

Leah Plocharczyk

Time at DePauw: 

Leah had a Sociology major and a French minor - graduating from DePauw in 1997. She spent a lot of time in the libraries - particularly Roy O. West. She says that she would have loved if there been an undergraduate degree in library science, and believes that more students need to know that librarianship is a viable career path.

Further Education: 

After DePauw, completed an MA in Sociology from Florida Atlantic University, and then Master's in Library Science, from the University of South Florida. Leah did a hybrid program, where some classes met online and others met in person, and feels like that was the perfect arrangement for her at the time, as she had a full-time job. 

Current Job:

Leah is the Director of the John D. MacArthur Campus Library at Florida Atlantic University's Jupiter (Honors College) campus. In this role, she oversees all the branch library's operations. What has surprised her the most is "how versatile the field of librarianship is. I've met some interesting, talented, and smart people while working in this profession." 

Other Library Experience: 

Prior to her current position, Leah was a paraprofessional at FAU. It was her work there that led her to pursue her MLS and librarianship as a long-term career path. 

Ash Faulkner

Time at DePauw: 

Ash graduated from DePauw in 2009 with English Writing and History majors. During her time at DePauw, she worked at the circulation desk in Roy, shelving books - often working the closing shift. Ash says she's always enjoyed being at and working in libraries, particularly the "zen" of shelving. She chose the academic librarian path because it was a relatively low-stress, stable job  that allowed her time for both reading, researching, and writing. 

Further Education: 

After graduating from DePauw, Ash went on to receive an MLIS and MBA at Kent State, where she says a second graduate degree helps if you want some of the nicer academic librarian jobs. That said, Ash recommends pursuing a program that involves teaching experience if pursuing academic librarianship as you end up doing a fair amount of instruction, and her MLIS program was not focused on these aspects of the job.

Current Job:

Ash is a Business Librarian at The Ohio State University Libraries. She says that she enjoys how in academic librarianship, she gets to dig into "deep dive" reference questions; that nothing she's asked by grad students or faculty are easy "oh, it's here" kinds of questions. They're things where you have to dig into some literature, follow some bread crumbs, figure out if that data even exists, and where/how/if you can access it. 

Other Library Experience: 

Prior to her current position, Ash was a Data Librarian. She says that if you have any statistics or coding ability, Data Librarianship is the place to be in academic libraries. Many college libraries are desperately searching for good data librarians.

Courtney Hague, Class of 2008

Time at DePauw:

Courtney Graduated from DePauw in 2008 with English Literature and Global French Studies Majors. Although Courtney did not work at DePauw libraries, she had summer jobs at her hometown public library and completed volunteer work as a reading tutor.

Further Education:

Courtney received her Masters in Library Science from Indian University Bloomington in 2010. She says that she loved the on campus program at IU Bloomington, however it has changed somewhat in the last few years.

Current Job:

Courtney is a Youth Librarian at Daniel Boone Branch - St. Louis County Library. Her current position is heavily programming based, and a lot of what she does involves planning and presenting programs for children and families. She loves engaging with children and making connections with families!

Other Library Experience:

Prior to her current position, Courtney was briefly a Youth Librarian for the St Louis Public Library where she did a little bit of everything. Before that, she was a Youth Collection Development Librarian in Evansville, IN.

Kristin Briney - Class of 2005

Time at DePauw:

Kristin graduated from DePauw in 2005 with a double major in Chemistry and Computer Science. Her experience with DePauw Libraries included the research she completed as a Science Research Fellows student. During her time in school, Kristin realized that while she enjoyed science, she didn’t like being in the lab. This realization led her to her interest in science librarianship.

Further Education:

Kristin received a PhD in chemistry in 2010 and then a Masters of Library Science in 2013, both from UW-Madison. After finishing her PhD, she knew she wanted a career that would not only get her out of the lab, but would also allow her to continue doing something science and data related. The search for something with these specifications led her to science and data librarianship. Kristin really enjoyed her time completing a MLS at Madison, but she did state that it was more of a library school than an information school (which would have been better for her specific interests). That said, she was able to chart her own path through the curriculum and had good mentors and lots of great experiences which helped her land her first library job.

Current Job:

Kristin currently works as a Biology & Biological Engineering Librarian at Caltech Library, where she says that being at a science-focussed research institution has been a great fit for her and her background.

Other Library Experience:

Prior to her current job, Kristin worked as the Data Services Librarian at a public comprehensive university where she did research data support. She says that the functional role v. the liaison role operates differently within the library, but that she’s enjoyed both.
 

Rhys Weber, Class of 2016

Time at DePauw:

Rhys Weber graduated from DePauw in 2016 with a History Major and Political Science and Classical Studies Minors. Although Rhys didn’t work at DePauw Libraries during his time as a student, he completed a summer internship following graduation. His interest in libraries developed through his experiences in the Honor Scholar program, where he used the library frequently, and alongside his time in the History Department where he discovered his love of research.

Further Education:

After graduating from DePauw, Rhys went on to earn a Masters of Library Science from Indiana University (he attended IUPUI, but his degree officially says Indiana University). He graduated with his Masters in May of 2019. Rhys chose his discipline, academic librarianship, because it was the closest thing that he could find to Archival studies at the time (though IU now offers an official archical track). As for his choice of school, Rhys found that IU had a well-respected library program and completion through IUPUI was particularly affordable. While the program was good, Rhys did say that he missed having an in-person component and connection with professors that he had at DePauw.

Current Job:

Rhys currently works as an Archival Assistant at the IUPUI University Library. He finds that he loves archival processing. It's a job that requires research, data work, and other things that he quite enjoys. 

Additional Library Experience:

In addition to his current position, Rhys has completed several library internships. He has interned at Butler University, IUPUI, the Allen County Public Library, and, of course, DePauw University. He says that it's important to keep in mind that job hunting can be tough and it's important to be flexible. His current job began as an internship, and morphed into something bigger. 

Susan Pennington, Class of 1993

Time at DePauw:

Susan graduated from DePauw in 1993 with a major in English Writing and a minor in Sociology. While at DePauw, she worked at Roy O. West Library in the computer lab as a troubleshooter, and also occasionally helped design signage, fliers, and posters for campus. Susan explains that, "the atmosphere at Roy O. West was always one that [she] enjoyed." The staff was helpful, and the potential for learning and discovery fascinated [her]."

Further Education:

After graduating from DePauw, Susan first worked as a High School English teacher, though she would later go on to pursue graduate work in librarianship at Illinois State University (ISU). This was a certification program to become a school librarian for those who already possessed a state teaching license. Susan completed both in-person and online coursework to receive an endorsement. During the program, Susan learned the basics of librarianship as well as selection of materials geared specifically towards K-12 students. She enjoyed ISU's program immensely, and still keeps in touch with the fellow librarians she trained with, describing librarians as "a close-knit group who support each other.

Library Experience: 

Susan's educational background from her time at ISU, along with her experience as a school librarian, led her to serve on the board of directors for the Illinois Heartland Library System (the largest in the state of IL). Although she represented school libraries on the board, she also learned more about public, collegiate, prison, and professional libraries as a result. Susan says that her favorite part of being a librarian is that no two days are alike when you're helping your patrons! Her role as a school librarian also allows her room to continue teaching (she has a fixed schedule and sees 13 classes a week, to which she teaches lessons). Susan explains that her father used to tell her, "you don't have to know all the answers, but you need to know how to find them," a credo that has stuck with her during her professional career. As she puts it, librarianship is a wonderful career. 

Current Job:

Susan is the Library Media Specialist at Lincoln Magnet Middle School in Springfield, Illinois. 

Bruce Gay - class of 1986

Time at DePauw: 

Bruce Gay graduated from DePauw in 1986 with an English Literature major. Although Bruce never worked for DePauw Libraries, he was always a "bookish" kid, who found libraries to be a welcoming place. 

Further Education: 

After his time at DePauw, Bruce went on to earn a Masters of Arts in Teaching from Washington University in St. Louis in 1988. He then went on to teach for eight years. It was during this time as a teacher that he discovered his passion for library science. As he would take classes of students to both the Milwaukee academic and central libraries, he found himself envying the work of the librarians there. This experience led him to pursue a Masters in Library Science from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 1997. While he initially chose UW-Milwaukee because he lived there (distance learning wasn't much of an option for him at the time), Bruce found that the UW-Milwaukee program was a nice blend of philosophical and practical knowledge, from bookbinding to information theory, and the coursework fit well with his interest in public librarianship.

Current Job: 

Bruce currently works as the Director of the Waukesha Public Library in Wisconsin. Bruce explains that while, "the last several months have been unique and extremely challenging, [he] remains optimistic about the value of public libraries and their role in building community." 

Library Experience: 

Bruce has worked as the Director of the Milwaukee County Federated Library System (systems in Wisconsin manage library catalogs and delivery between municipal libraries). He has also worked as the Branch Manager and Technical Services Manager for the Milwaukee Public Library. Bruce found his work as Technical Services Manager to be particularly interesting, as almost all of it was behind the scenes.

Susan McKinney, Class of 1987

Time at DePauw

Susan graduated from DePauw in 1987 with a major in History and a minor in Computer Science. While at DePauw, she worked in the main library under librarians Lori Springer and Jill Gremmels. Her job was to help create databases to automate the circulation. 

Further Education

After DePauw, Susan went on to receive her MLS from the University of Illinois in 1989. At the time she applied, she was deciding between UI, the #1 library school in the country, and IU in Bloomington, IN. What sealed the deal was when UI in Urbana-Champaign offered her more money, and the Assistant Dean called to congratulate her on her GRE score within a week of her taking the test. 

Time at DePauw

Susan graduated from DePauw in 1987 with a major in History and a minor in Computer Science. While at DePauw, she worked in the main library under librarians Lori Springer and Jill Gremmels. Her job was to help create databases to automate the circulation.  Further Education After DePauw, Susan went on to receive her MLS from the University of Illinois in 1989. At the time she applied, she was deciding between UI, the #1 library school in the country, and IU in Bloomington, IN. What sealed the deal was when UI in Urbana-Champaign offered her more money, and the Assistant Dean called to congratulate her on her GRE score within a week of her taking the test.  Current Job Currently, Susan works as the library director at St. Joseph Township-Swearingen Memorial Library in Illinois. As the library director, she is involved in the local chamber of commerce and has been Treasurer for over 20 years! In addition to her library director position, Susan has also served on state library and library system committees, e-resource consortium board, and library system board.

Ted Baldwin, Class of 1998

Time at DePauw

Ted Baldwin graduated from DePauw in 1998 with a double major in Chemistry and Music Performance. While at DePauw, he worked one summer at the main library, shifting books, and working the reserves desk.

After a lab internship his junior year, Ted realized that he did not enjoy laboratory work and became uncertain about a career path in the sciences. He then discovered the field of chemical information and the specialization of chemical information offered with the MLS program at Indiana University. Ted stated, "I have found STEM librarianship to be an excellent way to develop practical skills in organization and management and to broadly apply my liberal arts education." 

Further Education

Ted did go on to receive his MLS from Indiana University with a Specialist's Certificate in Chemical Information. Ted chose IU because of its in-state location, his ability to apply his chemistry degree, and his knowledge of IU’s strong MLS program from his mother’s experience.

Ted also received a graduate assistantship from IU to assist with funding. He believes his chemical information focus gave him a great advantage in his job search and highly recommends pursuing a specialization in a marketable field. 

Previous Experience

Ted’s first five professional years were spent managing an Research & Development Information Center at Equistar, a major chemicals/polymers company. He credits Dr. Bryan Hanson in chemistry for introducing him to the deep information research in the sciences with a class road trip to the Lloyd Library located in Cincinnati. Ted explained that students in Dr. Bryan Hanson’s medicinal plants class performed extensive research for a medicinal plants research project. This, combined with his DePauw Library research, inspired him to pursue that level of research in his life career.

Current Job

Ted currently works as the director of Science and Engineering Libraries at University of Cincinnati. Within this role, he does collection development, instruction, liaison duties, management, outreach, and reference. While at this job, he built and co-managed the Research Data Services unit for 5 years. He is also involved in digital projects and special collections in STEM.

Amanda Weber, Class of 2017

Time at DePauw

While at DePauw, Amanda majored in Spanish and minored in education studies and mathematics. Although she did not work in the DePauw libraries, Amanda did volunteer at the Putnam County Library as a shelver. She also had two important librarian mentors while at DePauw–Tiffany Hebb and Kayla Flegal, who both assisted her in the library school process.

Amanda believes that the liberal arts education at DePauw allowed her to see that the library was a place >where she could bring all of her interests together in an interdisciplinary way. Specifically, she loved being able to use her Honor Scholar thesis, with Tiffany Hebb as her sponsor, to combine reading, education, and Spanish.

Further Education

Amanda went on to receive her MSLIS and School Librarian Licensure from University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign in December 2019. Amanda had applied to both Indiana University in Bloomington and the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. However, she decided to attend UIUC because of their Center for Children's Books and the School Licensure program.

Amanda enjoyed attending the iSchool at UIUC. She explained that there were only two required courses. From there, students are allowed to choose various paths according to what area of librarianship they are interested in. Amanda later applied to the School Licensure program where she had to take some additional courses. Amanda stated, “There are many graduate assistantship positions available, and mine gave me a lot of awesome experience actually working in a library and interacting with patrons.” She also explained that although she enjoyed being on campus and being able to take classes in person, the iSchool also has a LEEP (online) program, which she took several classes through as well.

Library Experience

While in grad school Amanda was the School Collection GA for the Social Sciences, Health, and Education Library. She enjoyed having the opportunity to work on collection development and helping patrons with projects related to children's literature. Additionally, she was a Library/Records Assistant at Facilities Information Resources where she dealt with old blueprints and other files related to campus buildings and infrastructure. She then helped to repair, scan, index, and make them available for people.

Current  Job

Currently, Amanda works as the teacher-librarian at Nathan Hale Middle School in Crestwood, IL. Because she is the only librarian in the building with a paraprofessional to help with checkout, shelving, etc., Amanda explained that being a school librarian involves doing a little bit of everything. She spends her time managing the library, teaching classes, and collaborating with teachers. Amanda loves being able to form relationships with students, help them to love reading, and work with teachers on interdisciplinary projects!

Taylor O'Brien, Class of 2013

Time at DePauw

Taylor is a 2013 graduate of DePauw who majored in English Literature and minored in Women's Studies. While at DePauw, she worked at Roy O. West for all four years and during her summers. She started her work in the circulation department before she transferred to interlibrary loan. She also spent a semester working with librarians in other departments including cataloging and acquisitions.

Further Education

When considering what career and graduate school she would like to attend, Taylor explained that her librarian mentors and jobs contributed to her decision to enter a career in librarianship. Among these opportunities included time assisting then Access Services Librarian Mandy Henk with the bibliography of her book, Ecology, Economy, Equity: The Path to a Carbon-Neutral Library, and shadowing reference librarians at DePauw. In 2013, Taylor began working towards her MLS degree at Indiana University.

When asked about her experience at IU, Taylor said that IU's Library Science program allowed for small class sizes and the faculty had great personal work experience to impart on students. She also explained that IU has a wide variety of opportunities for those seeking their own on-the-job experience in libraries.

Current Job

Taylor currently works at Putnam County Public Library in the area of youth services. Within the Youth Services Department, Taylor contributes to the Early Literacy programming, responds to reference questions, and manages the nonfiction collections for children and young adults. She spends much of her time socializing with children and caregivers, which includes a lot of playing and reading together. Taylor stated, “To me, librarianship is all about service to your community. Every type of librarian serves a different type of community, of course, but collectively, all of our work is very people-oriented.” Taylor specifically enjoys the three weekly storytimes that she does for the age groups of babies, toddlers, and preschoolers.

Amanda McLellan, Class of 2005

Time at DePauw

Amanda Hartman McLellan graduated DePauw in 2005 as an art history major and a classical studies and religious studies double minor. Throughout her time at DePauw, Amanda worked as an ITAP intern. However, it was not until a conversation with her faculty advisor that she realized library work could be a perfect fit for her skills.

When asked about how her time at DePauw influenced her library career, she said that "DePauw was instrumental in my career pathway. The base of a liberal arts education set me up to be a critical thinker and to be curious, both highly valued skills in librarianship. The experience I obtained in ITAP paved the way for the technological role I have now. DePauw taught me leadership and empathy." Amanda wrote a book chapter about how DePauw prepared her for her career. The book is We Can Do IT: Women in Library Information Technology, and her chapter is titled, "Blending Liberal Arts and IT: Finding a Place for a Tech-Loving Non-Programmer." 

Further Education

When researching graduate schools, Amanda decided to do a campus visit for her top two choices. However, it wasn’t until she received a graduate assistantship that she decided to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

When asked about making a decision on a program, Amanda advised, "The biggest things to think about - what kind of librarianship interests you, does the school you're looking at offer classes in that type of librarianship, and how much debt would you take on." She also stated that UIUC is a great program. Amanda graduated in 2008 with her MLIS from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and is currently completing an EdD in Educational Leadership from East Carolina University, est. 2021.

Library Experience

Amanda has held multiple library jobs including in the areas of reference and instruction, digital services, liaison, and collection development. Her first job was at a small community college library where she did a little of almost everything. She said the experience was fantastic and highly recommends working in a library before attending or while attending library school.

Current Job

Amanda currently works as the Assistant Director for Discovery and Technology Services at East Carolina University J.Y. Joyner Library. When asked about her current position, Amanda said, "I have been in my current role for less than a year; my boss retired and I applied for the vacancy. I love that I get to think about big picture problems and how to address them, and that I get to highlight the work my division does. I also love working with students, and that's something I miss with my position since I don't get to interact directly with students as much.