I'm a science librarian, although I field any non-science question, too. That's because I've university degrees in both the humanities and the sciences, including a Master's in Biology. I received my second Master's (Library and Information Science) in 1992. Since then I have worked, sometimes full-time, sometimes part-time, in various types of libraries: city public, corporate, public school, college, university. I prefer the academic library. Before North Dakota, I filled a one-year temporary position at CSU Chico and a one-year temporary at CSU Sacramento (i.e. Sac State).
One of my key strengths is my computer knowledge. I've been around computers for half my life, building them, writing programs, etc. During the last six years I've worked with many library automated systems. NDSU is migrating to ExLibris soon.
Here at NDSU I am the Life Sciences Librarian, since mid-July 2000. I supervise the Health Sciences Branch Library, which houses most of the nursing and pharmacy collection. I have lots of other duties, too. Besides constantly updating my own subject webpages, I contribute ideas for improving the Main Library front page and others. I apply for grants to supplement my collection areas' budgets, mentor McNair Scholars, sit in various committees, help to deal with the aftereffects of the flood disaster of June 2000, do about eleven hours/week on reference desk, lead Information Literacy classes, etc. etc. and so forth. From May 2001 until July 2002, I was also in charge of the Chemistry Branch Library and liaison to physical sciences while we searched for a phys sci librarian (I was on the search committee).Up at Chico Besides normal reference duties, I updated their science reference collection. I also was on the Web Task Force, and helped plan a complete remodeling of the library homepage's appearance (and other pages also). I was liaison to six departments, including chemistry, physics, and psychology, and did a total makeover of the library's psychology webpage guide.
At Sac State I produced an original, annotated handout guide to finding book reviews in 52 printed and electronic sources. It is amazing how different the search strategies are, among the diverse sources. The guide was posted at Sac State and eventually revised; the original is now at http://www.lib.ndsu.nodak.edu/research/subjects/lifesci/CSUSBkRvws.htm
My most impressive project , however, was the research I did on the Policies and Forms webpages that all other campuses of the CSU and UC systems use for their E-mail Reference. Using this info, I formulated and submitted a Sac State Policy and Form for approval by my colleagues and the director. The Policy and Form was posted on the Sac State website. It was recently revised, but the original is at http://www.lib.ndsu.nodak.edu/research/subjects/lifesci/CSUSAskALibn.htmIn October 2000, I presented a poster on the research and findings, at the CARL convention in Long Beach. In June 2001, I presented the poster (revised) at the June 2001 ALA conference in San Francisco.
Well, enough shop-talk.
I've traveled since I was eight. Lived in Europe for two years, Japan for one. Lived in a dozen US states, traveled in all 50. Being a foreign-exchange student twice in college were great experiences. (Unfortunately, my German and Japanese languages are fading out of my memory cells.)
A few of the many books I've read recently (and can highly recommend) are Medicine & Culture by L. Payer, Plague Time by P. Ewald, Secret Agents by M. Drexler, Rare Earth by P. Ward and D. Brownlee, Disposable People by K. Bales, Deadly Feasts by R. Rhodes, Ceasefire! by C. Young, Destiny or Chance by S.R. Taylor, Cupid's Arrow, by R.J. Sternberg, Gilgamesh the King by R. Silverberg, 200% of Nothing and Yes, We Have No Neutrons both by A.K. Dewdney. My favorite historical-fiction series is Mr. Bernard Cornwell's Sharpe novels.My all-time favorite adventure novel is This Witch (by my fav author, Mr. Wilson Tucker). In May 1999 I had the great fortune to meet Mr. Tucker in person at a convention, and talk with him at length -- about cabbages and kings and life. In August 2001, I attended the special dinner and celebration in his honor, in Illinois. For more on Mr. Tucker (and photos, too!!),
please visit my ConQuesT page !!!
please visit my Tucker Tribute page !!!
Posted October 23, 2000.
Latest update October 28, 2004.