If a book is not findable in our system, then it really cannot help any patron. This is the sentiment that is often held by our cataloging and metadata staff members. And without the tedious work and troubleshooting that people such as Stephen complete, you - our lovely patrons - would be unable to search for and evaluate the materials we have for research and personal reading. For those not in the library world, metadata might seem trivial, but those in the know understand the value and benefit of having staff members as skilled as Stephen.
How long have you been at McFarlin and what roles have you had during your tenure?
I was hired one year ago as McFarlin's Library Systems and Metadata Specialist.
Why librarianship? What made this career appealing to you?
I was a bookish kid who enjoyed hanging out in the library. I’ve become a bookish adult who enjoys hanging out in the library. As an undergraduate I worked in the campus library’s technical processing department and loved the behind-the-scenes work. After graduation I took a part-time job at the local public library, also in Technical Services. My supervisor encouraged me to pursue an MLIS but really it didn’t take much convincing.
What is your non-library training and/or degree, and how does it help you as a librarian?
I have a bachelor's in English, and later picked up some coursework in computer science and math. That combination has helped me develop a mix of communication and technical skills for understanding library systems and how to leverage them.
What’s your favorite spot in McFarlin Library and why is it your favorite?
I love the view from the plaza.
Can you tell me about a memorable interaction you have had with a patron?
My position is not very public-facing, but I’ve enjoyed working with campus IT to launch a couple of web applications.
What is your favorite media to consume and what makes it your favorite?
Text. Print books are still my favorite, but I also read a lot of eBooks too. As a Gen-Xer, I remember life before eBooks, and I’m grateful for the way eBooks have made obscure, non-English, and niche titles so much more easily available.
What’s the best (non-human) resource at McFarlin?
McFarlin's collection of databases is fantastic. Whatever you’re researching, you can probably find a database for it. My current favorite is Gale's “Eighteenth Century Collections Online.”
Tell me the most bizarre thing you have seen while walking through the book stacks.
Nothing yet that I’d call bizarre, which probably means I need to spend more time in the stacks. The closest would be handwritten notes like “You are enough” and “You’ve got this!” lying on random shelves. I assume some kind person left them for whoever might need a little encouragement.
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?
At any phase I’d just say, “You won’t believe this but someday accessibility is going to be a big deal.”
You’re trapped in McFarlin for the night: what do you do when no one else is around?
Hang in the stacks and read. Honest, officer, that’s all I was doing. I have no idea who lined up the DVDs like dominoes. Stacked the Oklahoma Geological Survey like a Jenga tower? Who in the world would do such a thing?
What is an exciting project you are currently working on, or a future endeavor you are anticipating?
I’m excited about our Digital Archive project. We have plans for multiple collections on this platform, and it’s exciting to be part of making them available.