Recently, I had lunch with a former boss of mine from Brandeis University, the amazing Karen Adler Abramson. While we worked together several years ago, we’ve made a point to keep in touch, and it’s always a treat to visit with her. Although many of my colleagues probably don’t know about my time spent working in academic libraries, the truth is working in academic library settings, including Brandeis University and Harvard University, was a thrill for me, and I always think back fondly on those enriching experiences. At Brandeis, I worked in the University Archives and Special Collections department housed within the university library system. Thanks to Karen, I processed several amazing collections, including one featuring handwritten correspondence between Albert Einstein and Rabbi Stephen Wise, (https://lnkd.in/ergieY_t). I also created digital exhibits and served on the Scholarly Communications committee. At Harvard, I worked as a reference librarian at the Monroe C. Gutman Library housed within the Harvard Graduate School of Education. The job combined my burgeoning passion for librarianship with my love of education. Prior to starting my Masters in Library and Information Science program, I had worked as a school teacher, so I was thrilled to now be supporting ed school grad students with their research. Sometimes I wonder how my career in librarianship would have differed if I’d chosen the route of academic librarianship, but mostly, I’m just grateful to have been exposed to the invaluable mission of academic libraries and to have worked alongside so many outstanding academic librarians. #academiclibrarianship #academiclibraries #brandeis #harvard #libraries
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Information professional specializing in library and archive customer experience and education | Library Service Technician | Online Facilitator - Archives
Specialized academic librarians are the unsung heroes of higher education. They are the dedicated professionals who go beyond the call of duty to support students and faculty in their scholarly pursuits. With expertise in various disciplines, these librarians are not just custodians of information but are active participants in the academic journey of their institutions. Whether it's a science librarian aiding in complex research or an art librarian curating resources for creative projects, their specialized knowledge is invaluable. They bridge the gap between vast resources and the specific needs of the academic community, ensuring that every query is met with precision and depth. Let's celebrate the specialized academic librarians who enrich our educational experiences and contribute to the advancement of knowledge and research. Their work may often be behind the scenes, but it is absolutely central to the success of students and educators alike. #AcademicLibrarians #HigherEducation #LibraryScience
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Engaging young students with history can be challenging. Textbook narratives often fail to capture the imagination of young learners or lack the dynamism that history inherently possesses. That's where digitized historical newspapers found in the Community History Archives can play a role. They bring history alive in a tangible, relatable, and interactive way, a far cry from the detached and often monotonous recital of textbook narratives. https://zurl.co/SPY7
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Watch the recording of our webinar to hear about challenges faced by academic librarians in identifying, selecting and integrating Indigenous content into collections to align with existing curricula to benefit both Indigenous and non-Indigenous students. Also learn about the new #EbookCentral LibList collection. Register here: https://lnkd.in/eX2WNJ_p #IndigenousContent #LibraryChallenges
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There are many 'big' moments in an academic career - presenting at your first conference, submitting your first manuscript, publishing your first piece today. Today I achieved the biggest of the big steps so far. I have now been cited and have a h-index. Citations and academic metrics are not the most important part of being an academic, but it is a real vote of support/confidence that other academics have read and used my work. Here is to the next 'big' moment.
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And yes, academic librarians do have a valuable role in helping their universities to achieve their goals! Some of the strategies developed by library leaders are put forward in these two articles from Elsevier entitled “How academic librarians can use university strategic planning to align library services with university goals”. Part 1: Covers critical stages librarians must take if they are to better understand how and where to focus their efforts. https://lnkd.in/gpHhFF-N. Part 2: Covers defining university stakeholders and establishing meaningful relationships. https://lnkd.in/g8PDkrHd The articles are a must-read for all librarians out there!
Academic Librarians, University Strategic Planning, and Library Management | Elsevier, Inc.
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Indigenous studies are becoming ever more common in academics. The trend is driven in part by recognition of the value of diverse and inclusive cultures. Libraries have an opportunity to support university missions and the needs of their users with Indigenous studies book collections. Learn more in our new blog: https://lnkd.in/gZy2CFH4
How libraries can build ethical Indigenous book collections
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Have you ever wondered why some students have strong decoding skills but still have trouble with comprehension? Join us for a virtual Science of Reading Symposium with Dr. Kelly B. Cartwright to discover how executive functions impact reading comprehension and why strengthening these skills can boost reading abilities. Plus, you'll learn actionable strategies to help your students develop their comprehension skills! What you need to know: 🔹Wednesday, May 8 🔹11:00 am ET RSVP ➡️https://vist.ly/3589t If you can't attend the live session, register anyway, and we will send you the recording to view later. #scienceofreading #literacy
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Faculty Feature - Mr. Derek Smeltzer, Humanities Faculty & Assistant Academic Dean Q: What do you enjoy most about your work? A: I really enjoy interacting with the students and having meaningful conversations with them. Q: What moment at Grand River Academy stands out as the most memorable? A: Both graduations that I have attended are memorable to me. It's been a blessing to teach juniors and seniors and watch them grow and improve. Then the big day comes and you know that one chapter may be done in their lives but they have many more chapters to write. Q: What led you to Grand River Academy? A: After completing my BA in History, MA in English Literature and finishing coursework and passing candidacy exams for a Ph.D in Literature and Criticism, I did not really know what I wanted to do with my life. After some job hopping in and out of the field of education, I landed a position tutoring elementary students through Americorps at Punxsutawney Area Elementary School. The great people there helped me get my confidence back after a few rough years. I am eternally grateful to Mary Kay Fedigan and Cindy Taylor for their guidance and support. They believed in me and that helped me believe in myself. I am a proud member of the Grand River faculty and it is because Grand River saw potential in me. Q: What is your favorite part of Grand River Academy’s campus? A: My favorite part of GRA is the path that I walk on with my dog. We try to walk every morning and afternoon. Now that the sun is out longer we will go for evening walks. Q: When you’re not working, what do you like to do? A: I hang out with my dog, take naps, watch Netflix and I've been listening to audiobooks while I do chores. Q: What’s the best advice you have received? A: In Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Albus Dumbledore is addressing the student body in the Great Hall and he says: "Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, when one remembers to turn on the light." This is not personal advice but this quote has always stuck with me.
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While my dissertation is up and accessible in ProQuest (and open for the University at Buffalo community) [https://lnkd.in/g4hfDDaj], and has been for the last month or so…**singing** I got my print copies this week!! Those of you out there who are PRINT people, you know there’s just a different feeling when it’s real in your hands. For the curious, it's a study of the caring labor by academic librarians who engage in reference and instruction work, titled "How Reference and Instruction Academic Librarians Engage in Caring Labor: A Mixed-Methods Study and Proposed Theory of Coactive Caring.” Thanks SO SO SO SO MUCH to ALL my survey and interview participants - I couldn't have done it without you (literally). 💕 It’s my hope that this dissertation helps my colleagues' work feel seen and heard, celebrated and better understood--and that the research facilitates further research, learning, and consideration of the work of reference and instruction librarians in academia. A huge thanks goes to my committee members (Amy VanScoy, Heidi Julien, and Mary McVee) as well for their guidance, encouragement and, maybe above all, their CONFIDENCE in me and the merits of this project. #dissertations #careers #motivation #professionaldevelopment #libraryscience #informationscience #education #caring #caringsciences #inspiration #leadership #academia #academiclibraries #colleges #universities #highereducation #mlis
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