Evan Meszaros
Kelvin Smith Library | Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
Digital Research Services Librarian for the Sciences
A little about Evan’s job:
My position straddles two library teams, one being the team for Digital Learning & Scholarship, for which I’m tasked with data services/management/visualization support for STEM researchers at my institution. The other team is Research Services, for which I play more traditional librarian roles, such as reference, collection development, instruction, and liaison support to my department.
1) What are some things you like about your job or about working in libraries in general?
While I’m still new to the profession of academic librarianship (about 10 months as of this writing), I’ve really enjoyed the breadth of subjects I’m exposed to, the variety of tasks I’m assigned, and the interaction with colleagues and patrons as part of my daily responsibilities. I’d also be lying if I said that libraries, as quiet places of contemplation, don’t appeal to me more generally, so I see my workplace as an added incentive to work in this field.
2) What got you interested in libraries?
With a background in science and a longtime interest in “organized skepticism,” my transition to an academic library career seemed like a logical choice, allowing me to fulfill my desire to support scholarship while also working to address our society’s dire information literacy needs.
3) What is one of your favorite things about NMRT?
That it exists at all! I suspect that most professions are somewhat bewildering to newbies, and to have a group like this, composed of other, relatively new entrants is comforting. Though I haven’t done so yet, I plan to take advantage of the NMRT’s mentoring program soon for some added guidance in my transition from padawan library school learner to full-on jedi master librarian!
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