TTW Contributors
-Katharine Johnson
Professional Interests:
Katharine Johnson is currently in her final semester at Dominican University, working with contemplative fervor toward an MLIS. This semester her courses consist of two independent studies, allowing her to devote the remainder of her research toward areas for which she has great passion: marketing in academic libraries and information architecture.
Background:
After repeatedly taking the introductory chemistry courses at the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign), Katharine quickly discovered that she was NOT cut out to be a geneticist. Already working at the agriculture library on campus, it became apparent that libraries had always served her as a second home. Thus, as an ambitious 19-year-old, her pursuit of an MLIS began. In the meantime, she majored in Media Studies, concentrating her efforts on advertising, popular culture, and marketing.
These concepts have transferred well in her studies toward an MLIS from Dominican University. She enjoys observing social dynamics, trends, and marketing methods. Acknowledging that libraries are not an island, but the backbone of a community, Katharine believes that libraries should reflect the users in a way that is seamlessly integrated into their lives.
Workplace:
As a Graduate Assistant at Dominican University’s Crown Library, Katharine has been given the opportunity to work side-by-side with librarians, aiding and taking initiative in the library’s progressive projects. You’ll find her smiling face at the reference desk (and keep the Meebo questions coming!) or teaching user instruction courses. She’s been working toward making research seem more accessible through metaphors that apply to students’ everyday lives. She also has experience in the archives, event planning, and creating new marketing materials.
Personal Pursuits:
Katharine loves coffee and creativity and revels in the haven their union inspires. You can also find her training for half-marathons, cooking, or writing letters to friends far and near.
-Kyle Jones
Professional Interests:
Kyle’s background in English literature and secondary education motivates his interests in how new digital literacies are framing the way students view the academic world. He sees the Read/Write web as a valid and feasible tool librarians can implement into daily practice, and like Kyle’s fellow contributor below, Lee Leblanc, he too believes that librarianship is undergoing exciting seismic change. Additionally, Kyle sees enormous potential in new avenues of marketing and business models that librarians could tap into to meet their users’ needs and wants from libraries. See his portfolio for more information.
Background:
Kyle is a semester away from graduating from Dominican University’s (River Forest, IL) Graduate School of Library and Information Science and an undergraduate alumni of Elmhurst College (Elmhurst, IL) (also read: he’ll need a real job soon). His interest in librarianship as a career began after he was introduced to Library Land in an undergraduate course entitled Great Chicago Libraries. As for his technology background, Kyle used Read/Write Web technologies such as RSS feeds and blogs during his student teaching experience and saw first hand how innovative ways of information gathering and sharing had positively affected students’ academic lives.
Workplace:
Kyle works full-time as the Library Technology Assistant at the A.C. Buehler Library at Elmhurst College with innovative librarians and staff members. Duties of the position ebb and flow from day-to-day but generally include maintenance of all library technologies and various opportunities to teach technology skills to students, faculty, and staff. While his views and opinions may be drawn from some of his work experience, they are his own and do not reflect upon his colleagues or his workplace.
edited: 3/16/09
Personal Pursuits:
Kyle is a simple man and needs only a fine cup of coffee to be content.
-Lee LeBlanc
Professional interests:
Lee’s main interests are leadership within libraries, the strategic use of technology in libraries and the innovative services libraries must employ. These three areas, Lee feels, are what will increase the relevancy in users’ lives. Lee agrees with Mr. Jones that libraries can harvest the best business practices currently in use without becoming heartless, without losing focus of the missions of libraries, and while adhering to ethical standards. Recently, Lee has come to understand that you don’t choose libraries, Libraries choose you. Lee ultimately believes that libraries are in a great age of change; now is the time to invent a new kind of library.
Background:
At work on a Masters of Information Science with concentrations in Information Architecture and Technology, Lee attends the College of Information at Florida State University. Lee’s work career has been varied, dynamic, and stress-filled. Having a librarian as a mentor after he got out of the military and worked through his undergrad, he developed a deep appreciation for what libraries could do for individuals and their communities.
Workplace:
Lee works full-time as the Continuing Education and Emerging Technologies Coordinator at SWFLN. He books speakers, spots library and technology trends, shares his love of learning, and develops mini-conferences for the gist of what Lee does.
Personal pursuits:
Photography, graphic novels, martial arts, vegetarianism, libraries, and Buddhism rank as major time sinks. You’ll find Lee a bunch of places online but flickr is where he hangs out most. Lee also throws-up some blog posts on Bibliodox. Lee also likes microblogging for his fascinating personal life.
