What is your position at the Ruth Lilly Medical Library?
My title is Content Management/History of Medicine Assistant. Our department is only 4 people but we all work well together and help to support the mission of the library and the School of Medicine. My history of medicine duties include adding material to our collections by way of entering records into IUCat and WorldCat if necessary as well as assisting our Digital and Special Collections librarian. We have some historical and interesting material in the HOM Collection and are always looking at ways of making this material more accessible to students and faculty who may not be on campus.
How long have you been working at the library?
I've worked at the library since September 2017 but have worked on campus since October 2014. Previously I worked for University Student Services & Systems, processing application materials for undergraduate students applying to attend Indiana University.
What do you like most about your job or the library?
Working in ILL is always exciting because there's always something new every day. We often get incomplete citations and it’s like solving a puzzle trying to determine what a patron is requesting; it’s even more exciting when we can find something obscure and get it to them within a few days if not sooner! Because we have a smaller staff than a lot of libraries there is a lot more freedom to collaborate with coworkers on projects or to try something new; creativity and innovation is encouraged which is in itself rewarding. Feedback is both welcomed and encouraged here.
What is your favorite food/favorite place to eat?
What isn't my favorite food? The only kind of food I don't like is seafood. We have a lot of great local restaurants in Indianapolis and I always enjoy trying new ones. For breakfast my first choice would be Lincoln Square Pancake House; they have the best pancakes and the best hash browns. I love pizza and Indian food respectively; Bazbeaux or the Ordinary in Wanamaker are both good choices. I recently discovered Amber Indian and would recommend. The Tick Tock Lounge on the near East side has great burgers and nice laid-back vibe. Three Carrots in Fountain Square also has great vegan food!
Where is your favorite place to travel?
I'm from Michigan and miss being close to water so anyplace near water is always my first choice. When I travel to places I haven't been before I often like to find the obscure or out of the way attractions that aren't found in a guidebook. I also ask hotel staff for restaurant recommendations - they usually have better suggestions for places that aren't on a top-10 list and it’s always a better dining experience. I also like traveling to visit with friends; I guess the perk of having friends across the country is getting to take vacations to see them!
If you could witness any historical event, what would it be and why?
I think it would have been very moving to be able to listen to the speech Robert F. Kennedy gave about the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. He delivered this speech here in Indianapolis on April 4, 1968 and it was improvised; he was warned that the city could not provide police protection but he continued. There is a lovely monument in Kennedy-King park near 17th and College and the speech is on YouTube. It's really very powerful.
What is one item on your bucket list?
I'd like to get 2 more master's degrees and a Ph.D. - I'm not sure if I'll do this or not, unless I happen to win the Powerball.
If you were to write a book about yourself, what would the title be?
I got out of bed for this?
