McFarlin Memo - LibGuides at University of Tulsa

How long have you been at McFarlin and what roles have you had during your tenure?

I have been at McFarlin Library for a year and a half, I am the Interlibrary Loan Librarian here at McFarlin and Mabee Legal Information Center.

Why librarianship? What made this career appealing to you?

I love doing research. While I was working on my master's degree in history, I stumbled upon librarianship through spending so much time in the library. Upon graduating with my master's of history, I started the master's program for library and information science.

What is your non-library training and/or degree, and how does it help you as a librarian?

I have a bachelor’s in history with a minor in philosophy and Spanish. I also have a master of history. These degrees in history have given me a great foundation in building my understanding of librarianship. They help me with organization of materials, understanding data sets and statistics, copyright, as well as assisting patrons with interlibrary loan requests.

What’s your favorite spot in McFarlin Library and why is it your favorite?

It is not necessarily a spot but my favorite aspect of the building is the stained-glass. It is an interactive art and the appearance can change with light and position. Be sure to look for it - we have stained glass in several rooms of McFarlin.

Can you tell me about a memorable interaction you have had with a patron?

Yes. A physics professor stopped by the reference desk to inquire about an ILL request. As we were going to retrieve his request I mentioned my grandfather was a physics professor. We had a discussion about physics and the joys of learning.

What is your favorite media to consume and what makes it your favorite?

I spend my free time reading books since I work on computers and online every day. I enjoy the escape from electronics through books.

What’s the best (non-human) resource at McFarlin?

The stacks - you can find a resource there for almost any topic.

Tell me the most bizarre thing you have seen while walking through the book stacks.

I saw a gecko once in the stacks, running around.

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 would inquire about the desire to build underground. I want to know the why.

You’re trapped in McFarlin for the night: what do you do when no one else is around?

I would find a great book, curl up and read it in the Anderson Reading Room.

What is an exciting project you are currently working on, or a future endeavor you are anticipating?

I am currently working on a librarian office diorama. It will have old card catalogs, stamps and maps, reflecting a historical view of librarianship. The diorama will be placed in the intermediate level stacks with a QR code linking you to the history of McFarlin. I am presenting at Oklahoma library Association on this project in the coming year.

Recent Posts

Staff Spotlight - Hannah Gibbs

Have you ever received your ILL request with remarkable speed? Are you ever amazed at what we are able to borrow for you? One of the people you can thank for this level of service is Hannah. One half of our dynamic ILL duo, Hannah uses her love of research and determination to help the TU academic community thrive. Keep reading to learn about an exciting new project she is spearheading!How long have you been at McFarlin and what roles have you had during your tenure?I have been at McFarlin Library for a year and a half, I am the Interlibrary Loan Librarian here at McFarlin and Mabee Legal Information Center.Why librarianship? What made this career appealing to you?I love doing research. While I was working on my master's degree in history, I stumbled upon librarianship through spending so much time in the library. Upon graduating with my master's of history, I started the master's program for library and information science. What is your non-library training and/or degree, and how does it help you as a librarian?I have a bachelor’s in history with a minor in philosophy and Spanish. I also have a master of history. These degrees in history have given me a great foundation in building my understanding of librarianship. They help me with organization of materials, understanding data sets and statistics, copyright, as well as assisting patrons with interlibrary loan requests.What’s your favorite spot in McFarlin Library and why is it your favorite?It is not necessarily a spot but my favorite aspect of the building is the stained-glass. It is an interactive art and the appearance can change with light and position. Be sure to look for it - we have stained glass in several rooms of McFarlin.Can you tell me about a memorable interaction you have had with a patron? Yes. A physics professor stopped by the reference desk to inquire about an ILL request. As we were going to retrieve his request I mentioned my grandfather was a physics professor. We had a discussion about physics and the joys of learning. What is your favorite media to consume and what makes it your favorite?I spend my free time reading books since I work on computers and online every day. I enjoy the escape from electronics through books. What’s the best (non-human) resource at McFarlin?The stacks - you can find a resource there for almost any topic. Tell me the most bizarre thing you have seen while walking through the book stacks.I saw a gecko once in the stacks, running around.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 would inquire about the desire to build underground. I want to know the why. You’re trapped in McFarlin for the night: what do you do when no one else is around?I would find a great book, curl up and read it in the Anderson Reading Room.What is an exciting project you are currently working on, or a future endeavor you are anticipating?I am currently working on a librarian office diorama. It will have old card catalogs, stamps and maps, reflecting a historical view of librarianship. The diorama will be placed in the intermediate level stacks with a QR code linking you to the history of McFarlin. I am presenting at Oklahoma library Association on this project in the coming year. ...

Staff Spotlight - Drew Henderson

Another integral member of our circulation and stacks management team, Drew Henderson may not be the most extroverted coworker, but he is dependable and thoughtful. Having worked at McFarlin for a decade, he has expert understanding of the building and collection. Read this interview with Drew to learn about his impressive academic background and his reverence for libraries.How long have you been at McFarlin and what roles have you had during your tenure? I have been working at McFarlin Library for 10 years. I am a full-time Library Associate I. Why librarianship? What made this career appealing to you? I have always placed tremendous emphasis on the importance of both academic achievement and reading. Since childhood, I have had an insatiable hunger for knowledge. The library is a repository of knowledge.What is your non-library training and/or degree, and how does it help you as a librarian? I earned my bachelor's degree in history/anthropology from Northeastern State University and my master’s degree in museum science and management from the University of Tulsa. Both degree programs placed emphasis on archival research, collections management, and stewardship of technology. This has been beneficial in helping me to keep abreast of the latest developments in the library.What’s your favorite spot in McFarlin Library and why is it your favorite? It would have to be the entire south quadrant of the browsing level stacks. That area contains most of the subjects that I am interested in. This includes museum science, archaeology, and ancient civilizations among other subjects.Can you tell me about a memorable interaction you had with a patron? On one occasion, I spoke with a patron who happened to be a member of the Seminole Nation. I have several Seminole ancestors on my father's side of the family. We had a fascinating discussion concerning the collaborative history between the Seminole tribe and African Americans.What is your favorite media to consume and what makes it your favorite? I avoid social media overall. I prefer books to other media. I always have and I always will. What’s the best (non-human) resource at McFarlin? I would have to say the WMS database. Once you learn the intricacies of the database, you can use it for many purposes.Tell me the most bizarre thing you have seen while walking through the book stacks. Encountering an empty beer can tucked into the end of a shelf was quite bizarre.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 would stress the importance of making sure the central heating system was installed correctly. The temperature variations in this facility can be frustrating at times.You’re trapped in McFarlin for the night: what do you do when no one else is around?I would stock up on archaeology and astrophysics books. I would also spend time dusting the furniture! What is an exciting project you are currently working on, or a future endeavor you are anticipating? I am currently conducting an inventory/database project in the Intermediate Level stacks. I am hoping to collaborate with the Gilcrease Museum once they officially reopen to the public in the near future. Bonus fact: This past year the McFarlin staff have discovered Drew's talent for baking. On several occasions he has treated the staff to sweets so delightful no crumbs remain....

Staff Spotlight - Lisa Grimes

Wearing many hats throughout her career as a librarian, Lisa Grimes has worked her way from a dazzling Ms. Frizzle figure managing various school libraries to her newest position as McFarlin Library's Assistant Dean. Lisa is a prime example of how interdisciplinary training and unyielding determination can transfer professional skillsets into the program growth that a library needs. Read Lisa's responses to learn about her educational journey, her interesting find in the stacks, and her future plans.Lisa GrimesHow long have you been at McFarlin and what roles have you had during your tenure?I started working at McFarlin Library on July 15, 2019 as the Student Success Librarian. In February 2024 I was promoted to Director of Instruction & Research, which established a new department for McFarlin Library. In July 2025, I am being promoted to Assistant Dean of McFarlin Library while maintaining my Director of Instruction & Research title.Why librarianship? What made this career appealing to you?I have worked in instruction for 25 years, but working in libraries has been the most rewarding part of my career. I get to collaborate with faculty and other librarians, connect patrons to both print and digital resources, and work with a diverse range of people every day. Helping patrons discover new resources and strategies to tackle rigorous research queries is very fulfilling.What is your non-library training and/or degree, and how does it help you as a librarian?My bachelor's degree is in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus on teaching K-6 Science and Social Studies. I also have a Master of Business Management (MBA) from TU. Having a background in public education taught me valuable skills such as working with diverse populations, connecting lessons to different learning styles, communicating effectively, and managing multiple projects at once.My MBA prepared me for administration by strengthening my leadership skills, sharpening my approach to outreach and marketing, equipped me with essential financial skills, and enhancing my ability to analyze data.What’s your favorite spot in McFarlin Library and why is it your favorite?I love visiting Special Collections! The Satin Reading Room is gorgeous, but it goes well beyond the amazing aesthetics. This unique library space is humbling, giving me the opportunity to learn about a vast array of resources, authors, and historical events. There are always opportunities to learn and discover new things.Can you tell me about a memorable interaction you have had with a patron? A student came in feeling frustrated, wanting to change their research topic. During our PRA session, I was able to show them a few different databases and advanced research strategies, along with a way to expand their keyword usage. They were so surprised when the results were exactly what they had been looking for. In fact, they were so excited that they sent a few friends to the library to get help as well. What is your favorite media to consume and what makes it your favorite? As a librarian, most people expect me to say books, but my favorite media revolves around sit-coms and video games. I am in “go-mode” most of the day, so being able to sit back and relax and be entertained is a great way for me to laugh and unwind.What’s the best (non-human) resource at McFarlin? Our Databases are a great resource for students, faculty, and staff. We are fortunate to have a wide range of subscriptions to help all our researchers find valuable information and sources. Tell me the most bizarre thing you have seen while walking through the book stacks.I was doing a walk-through of the stacks one day and found some contraband that led to a fun interaction with Campo.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 would go back to 2007 and ask them to add some sound insulation between the floors of the library to prevent sound from travelling so well between our offices and meeting rooms. You’re trapped in McFarlin for the night: what do you do when no one else is around?If I were trapped in McFarlin for the night, first I would crank up the music using our karaoke speaker, then I would make a slingshot and use it to launch bouncy balls up and down the Main Level hallway. Once I got tired of that, I would go down to the Browsing Level and use the DVDs to make a “house of cards” and see how high I could build it without everything falling over. What is an exciting project you are currently working on, or a future endeavor you are anticipating?We have hosted a librarian’s conference for Tulsa Public Schools librarians for the past two years. This year we are expanding the conference to all Tulsa County school librarians! We are so excited for this opportunity and look forward to expanding it even more next year! ...

Digital Discoveries - Personalized Research Assistance Form

The next installment in our Digital Discoveries resource overviews is our Personalized Research Assistance form. Although the online form is the only “digital” element of this resource, it is the crucial first step to accessing one of the most personally tailored assistance services available at McFarlin. Below are some frequently asked questions that will hopefully help you to better understand how one of these sessions can help you. What is a Personalized Research Assistance session?These sessions, called PRAs for short, are research information meetings that are designed to meet the unique needs of every TU student or staff member who schedules one. Scheduling a PRA session means that you will receive a one-on-one session with a librarian focused on what you need for your research or understanding of McFarlin’s resources. Examples of these sessions include but are not limited to: how to access, sort, and choose from the database listhelping students find the required number of articles for a course projectteaching students how to evaluate sources found online, through journals, or multi-media platformsassisting students with finding articles for literature reviewsteaching students how to create advanced search queries and track searchesusing citation management software and organizing articlesguiding students through ethical use of generative-AI toolsTruly, we want these sessions to reflect your needs and be a respectful use of your time. If you are not sure if a PRA is for you, just ask and we’ll help get you connected with a librarian or other campus resource.Who can use this service?This service was designed to help both undergraduates and graduate students but is open to professors as well! The goal is that faculty and students at TU know that the library’s resources are made available with an assumed proficiency. Sometimes you need a little guidance or redirection when you’re frustrated with research and that’s when this service can save your sanity and time. How long does it take? To schedule a session, we ask that you give us one to two business days to get back to you, but we are usually quicker than that at slower times of the semester. The sessions themselves can be as short as 15 minutes or as long as 2 hours. Again, the personalized aspect of these sessions is that you leave feeling like you were helped which can look different for everyone in terms of time.Do I have to come to McFarlin to meet with a librarian?While you can of course get help in-person at McFarlin, we also offer these meetings online through Teams. Online meetings do not require the students to be on camera, but we do recommend being in a somewhat quiet location and using a laptop or desktop. We often share screens during these meetings, and a phone screen is too small. If you choose to meet in person, it’s very helpful to bring your laptop, but we typically have an extra computer available if needed. Being able to save the articles we find or make notes on the process is incredibly valuable to your workflow after the PRA is over.Can you only help students from any major?YES! We work with students from all disciplines across campus. Part of the PRA form that you fill out asks you to specify the information needs you have, and we use that section to help match you with the best librarian. Where is this form you keep mentioning?On the homepage of the library!Need help finding articles? Schedule a PRA!Need someone to explain how to find, view, and use the features of an eBook? Schedule a PRA!Not sure whether or not your sources are scholarly or peer-reviewed? Schedule a PRA!Doing a group assignment and have multiple members who need help? Schedule a PRA!Feeling very overwhelmed and unsure of how to navigate the research process? You guessed it – schedule a PRA! If this feature didn't do enough to convince you, please read this feedback from real, live, actual TU students who have used the service.“I was able to get all my questions answered and learned how to use multiple databases.” – Julia S., freshman “I was excited to figure out how much music books and scores they had in the library. And now I know where to look I need better knowledge for my research instead of just going to Google or YouTube.” – Abby S., sophomore“I have thoroughly benefited from the time spent learning about the resources at McFarlin Library, and I always recommend to other graduate students to make time to do the same. Thank you for your hard work!” – Kenneth B., graduate student“Fantastic session! I only wish it were longer and that I had done it sooner! IMO, this should be mandatory for all graduate students to meet with the research librarian to go over, in real time, search terms and how to navigate the databases. Otherwise, one *might* spend a solid 13 frustrating hours wading through the tar pits of these databases.” – Meagan P., DNP ...