Ever wondered how your books get from a request to the shelves? Well, people like Andrea work to process and catalog our print materials so they are searchable and ready when you need them. For two decades, Andrea has worked with McFarlin's collection. Read below to learn about her experience with our collection and spaces, as well as her care for patron access.
How long have you been at McFarlin and what roles have you had during your tenure?
I have worked in a cataloging position in the Bibliographic/Technical Services department for over twenty years.
Why librarianship? What made this career appealing to you?
Books, knowledge, and information have always been essential in my life. Libraries and bookstores were comforting second homes when I was a child. My mom was a non-traditional student and attended college full-time while raising me, and I recognized early on how life-changing and transformative access to information is. Being partly responsible for providing that access for others is important to me.
What is your non-library training and/or degree, and how does it help you as a librarian?
My B.A. in History provides a solid foundation in critical thinking/research and a user-centric perspective when creating bibliographic records and organizing/describing materials.
What’s your favorite spot in McFarlin Library and why is it your favorite?
Well, my office. But also, the Browsing Section. I remember that burned out feeling during a semester. Sometimes curling up with a book completely unrelated to what I was studying provided the perfect reprieve. Occasionally, a break is still needed now.
Can you tell me about a memorable interaction you have had with a patron?
Not necessarily a patron, because my job is back-of-house, but I stumbled across a love letter tucked away in book. It detailed a date the couple had the night before, very effusively. After some research, I discovered that the couple ultimately got married.
What is your favorite media to consume and what makes it your favorite?
Currently, books. I used to read almost exclusively nonfiction, irreverent books about history, but lately I’m delving back into fiction. Always physical (not electronic) books. And weekends are often about PBS Passport.
What’s the best (non-human) resource at McFarlin?
Wandering the stacks is a great resource in a broad sense. The databases for more specific searches.
Tell me the most bizarre thing you have seen while walking through the book stacks.
Since most of my time isn’t in the stacks, I’ll mention another book I encountered. This one was from the early 1800s and was a book of poetry. It was inscribed by the original owner with his signature in what appeared to be faded brown ink and the words “written in my own blood.” After researching, it was determined to be an illegitimate teenaged grandson of George III.
If you could go back in time and talk to one of the designers who modified the building, which phase would you jump to and what would you tell them?
I’d like to have several words with people responsible for the elevators. Additionally, next time a ‘grand staircase’ is constructed, might I suggest evacuating the staff on the other side of the wall to a quieter location, minus the jackhammering, etc.?
You’re trapped in McFarlin for the night: what do you do when no one else is around?
Counter query: will my dog be trapped with me as well? If so, our version of fetch just got an expansive playing field. If it has to be just me, I would write because I imagine the atmosphere of an empty library might be inspiring.