 What is the title of your position?
Head of Reference/Bibliographer for History, Asian Studies, Latin American Studies, and Theatre.
How did you get involved in your subject area?
I majored in History as an undergraduate at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with the vague idea that I might want to work in libraries or museums or publishing. Though I have never had a great memory for dates, I enjoyed the history of social movements and trying to understand the motivations that led individuals to support changes in cultural norms. For example, “VOTES for WOMEN!” I am also the Theatre Bibliographer here at Loyola University Chicago. Though I never studied theatre, I have performed in plays, musicals, and operas. I even played an ax murderess once. I was told I was a natural.
What is the most exciting part of being a Librarian?
Helping others take advantage of the outstanding resources that libraries and archives make available to them, as well as helping to ensure that the library has great resources and services to meet the needs of our students and faculty. I am challenged by new questions every day and learn something from everyone I help.
Why did you choose to become a Librarian?
As an undergraduate history student, I really enjoyed hunting down sources and the process of research. I realized much later that I would have been much more efficient if I had only asked a librarian for help. However, I don’t regret the hours I spent scouring the stacks for a potential source. I was fascinated with the idea of working with library collections and I thought that the librarians I worked with in my student job at UIUC were amazing people.
What is your educational background?
I completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and a Master of Science degree in Library and Information Science at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign. Fortunately, I found a great position as a History Librarian at Saint Louis University and I was able to complete a Master of Arts in History while I was working there. Working with the History faculty and students at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore for five years was a great educational opportunity for me as well. I am still learning…
What do you like best about Loyola?
All of the people in the library are smart and friendly, and the History faculty is outstanding! In case you missed it, the History faculty at Loyola ranked in the top ten in a Scholarly Productivity Index published by the Chronicle of Higher Education earlier this year. I am excited to be working at an institution that values social justice and global awareness. The opportunity to be around people who are engaged in service to others is very motivating to me both as a librarian and as an individual.
What interests do you have outside of work?
One of my favorite activities is to attend a music or theatre performance. I love to sing and hope to join a choir in Chicago soon. I enjoy traveling with my husband, who is a true historian at heart. When not busy seeking out the best non-chain fast food restaurants in America, we enjoy visiting historical homes, museums, and libraries!
Where have you traveled?
I have lived in Colorado, South Dakota, Illinois, Missouri, Maryland, and Wales (study abroad). Over the years, I have managed to visit many States in the U.S. In addition, I have traveled in Great Britain, Ireland, France, Switzerland, Italy, and Canada. My trip to Italy included singing with my choir for Pope John Paul II at the Vatican. He liked our singing so much, he decided to visit St. Louis soon after and we were able to sing for him again.
What books have you read recently that you would recommend?
There’s one popular book that I’ve read lately. What’s the character’s name? Oh, yes, Harry Potter! Also highly recommended as of late are Living in a Foreign Language: A Memoir of Food, Wine, and Love in Italy by Michael Tucker, and Big-Box Swindle: The True Cost of Mega-Retailers and the Fight for America's Independent Businesses by Stacey Mitchell. |
What is the title of your position? 
