By Michael Tomczak
Hello, my name is Michael Tomczak, and I am the newest librarian here at King. My role is to be the Student Engagement Librarian, and I’d like to share a little about what that means and what it means to be a librarian.
The library’s role is to support the academic mission of the entire King community. People think of stacks and stacks of books first when they think of a library, but our jobs extend so far beyond that. Our role begins at the start of every academic program. As a new degree is being considered, we look at our resources and ensure they adequately support the program’s students and make changes as needed.
In addition to books, we also look at journal subscriptions and other resources, such as our anatomical models. We also ensure every program is covered by library instruction to ensure students know how to access our resources for them – keep an eye out for a librarian in your class. You should see us at least a couple of times before you graduate.
Our decisions aren’t solely related to books and journals, however. We’re constantly analyzing every part of the library experience to ensure it serves King’s students and staff to the best of our ability. This can include anything and everything from offering free coffee, hosting SLACK events, and rearranging the furniture to get the most out of our space.
Some days, I pull shelves down from the attic; I talk to our student workers about their favorite books; and on others, I teach classes. Part of the fun and the challenge of being a librarian is how unexpected each day can be and how. Above all, I enjoy being able to serve the King community. Suppose there’s something you need to get out of the library but don’t know how; don’t be afraid to talk to a librarian. We’re here to help.
