Kristen Weischedel
MLIS in Library Science, MA in History
Digital Resources Management Librarian
Illinois Institute of Technology
What are your main duties at your library?
I manage all electronic resources at the library, including vendor contracts, working with ALMA/Primo, facilitating online publishing for our patrons, and web-archiving.
What do you like best about your job?
I enjoy doing something different almost every day, and working with our patrons on maximizing access to our resources.
What are you working on now that you’re excited about?
I’m working with my colleagues on trying to expand OER initiatives on campus.
What does librarianship mean to you?
Librarianship is about providing high quality access to information to all peoples, regardless of disability, race, ethnicity, gender etc. Ultimately, to me librarianship is about access and inclusivity.
What do you think is the most important challenge or opportunity for libraries going forward?
I think the largest challenge for libraries moving forward is balancing the digital divide and the craving for physical spaces in the midst of a funding crisis.
Describe yourself in three words.
Resourceful, Adaptable, Curious
What are you reading, watching, or listening to right now?
I’ve just finished reading Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens.
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