#LibraryNews

How can you assist students?
I’m happy to help with any part of a research project, whether it’s just getting started, finding an elusive source, or just being someone to bounce some ideas off.  

How long have you worked at Loras?
I started October 1st. I’m brand new to Loras!

Why did you choose the Library as a career/vocation?
I began working in libraries as an undergraduate and then continued all through graduate school. After almost a decade of teaching Christian history to undergraduates, I got my MLIS and returned to the library. I love teaching, working with undergraduates, and understanding how people find, use, and create information. 

What is a book you would recommend? 
For a quick study break, check out P Is for Pterodactyl: The Worst Alphabet Book Ever (call number: PreK12 Picture H12). It is the book I always intended to write about the craziness of the English language, but someone beat me to it. 
 

The mission of the Loras College Library is to be a “welcoming center dedicated to fostering the intellectual development and personal growth of the Loras Community”. Library staff strive to provide the best service to our patrons. Building trust is a large component in assisting patrons with their needs. In order to build this trust we will be spotlighting our library staff in a series of posts so that patrons can get to know the staff members of the Loras Library.  
This week’s post is about our Access Services and Special Collections librarian who is also serving as the interim Director of the Center for Dubuque History, Heidi Pettitt.

How can you assist students?
I can help with all aspects of the research process from turning an idea into questions, narrowing those questions into a thesis, finding resources to answer those questions, and analyzing and citing your sources. I can also help students with primary source research into the history of Dubuque and the college.

How long have you worked at Loras?
I have been working at Loras and in the Library for 13 years.

Why did you choose the Library as a career/vocation?
My family will tell you I was destined to become a librarian from a very young age, but I decided to be a rebel and work with horses instead. After a few years of working in barns, I realized that while I loved working in barns, I loved researching and studying more. After some additional career exploration, I realized being a librarian would allow me to do the things I liked to do in a job – answer questions and organize things. While there are many highlights in my career, some of my favorite memories are of helping a student who is stuck find the information they need to create a successful project.

What is a book you would recommend? 
There are so many excellent books in this library and the world, but I have to recommend Terrier and Bloodhound by Tamora Pierce. 
 

The mission of the Loras College Library is to be a “welcoming center dedicated to fostering the intellectual development and personal growth of the Loras Community”. Library staff strive to provide the best service to our patrons. Building trust is a large component in assisting patrons with their needs. In order to build this trust we will be spotlighting our library staff in a series of posts so that patrons can get to know the staff members of the Loras Library.  
This week’s post is about our Interlibrary Loan, Reserves, and Acquisitions Coordinator Lisa M. Finnegan. 

How can you assist students?
My job is a bit behind the scenes for most students, but if there are Library questions at the Library Services Desk that our Student Assistants can’t help with I’m the next stop. If we don’t have a book or article a student needs, then a request for Interlibrary Loan services will get processed through me. I also take care of the Reserve books, ones for which we have short check out periods and are needed by multiple students for a specific class or assignment.

How long have you worked at Loras?
I’ve been at the Loras College Library for almost five years. I’m retired from Pre-K-12 teaching and administrating and the librarians were a very important part of my schools. Librarians have super powers to find all sorts of information and do amazing feats of education.

Why did you choose the Library as a career/vocation?
My vocation has been in education and students are the absolute best part. I love working with the Library Student Assistants and watching the growth and development of students at this level. Being in a college campus atmosphere keeps me young and on my toes.

What is a book you would recommend? 
I would recommend you take a trip down to the first floor and view our Oversized Book collections as well as checking out the 700’s-The Arts. There are some really beautiful visual art books that can brighten a mood.
 

The mission of the Loras College Library is to be a “welcoming center dedicated to fostering the intellectual development and personal growth of the Loras Community”. Library staff strive to provide the best service to our patrons. Building trust is a large component in assisting patrons with their needs. In order to build this trust we will be spotlighting our library staff in a series of posts so that patrons can get to know the staff members of the Loras Library. 

This week’s post is about our Library Director Kristen Smith. 

How can you assist students?
Really, however students might need help in the library, I’m happy to jump in. It might be helping to create a research strategy, or getting started with a database, or finding a book or article.

How long have you worked at Loras?
I started working at Loras College in August 1984, right after leaving graduate school! At that time, the library was located in Wahlert Hall. Sometimes it seems like yesterday!

Why did you choose the Library as a career/vocation?
In college, I did a lot of research, and I was pretty good at it, so I started exploring what a library career might look like. Libraries are like second homes to me. I love what they are, what they do, and what they represent in a community.

What is a book you would recommend? 
Introvert power!! All introverts should read this book! Quiet: the power of introverts in a world that can't stop talking, by Susan Cain.
More about this book. Find it at call number 155.232 C12.