Catherine Manci
Savannah College of Art and Design Atlanta
Research and Instruction Librarian
What’s your job like?
I provide instruction to all departments at SCAD Atlanta, as well as reference and research services. SCAD Atlanta is an art school with about 2,000 students.
What are some things you like about your job or working in libraries in general?
As an instruction librarian at an art school, I get to work with students on highly creative projects on a daily basis. I love the variety of content- today I’ll be teaching an art history class, a fashion theory class, and a trend forecasting class. Working in the library in great because can be both a place of refuge and energizing inspiration for both students and librarians.
What’s a project or committee you’re working on right now that you’re excited about?
I’m currently working on creating new instructional videos with one of the librarians at SCAD’s Savannah campus, and I’m really excited about expanding our reach with educational technology. This project has also fueled some further research into educational technologies that I’ve been able to incorporate into my in-person classes.
What got you interested in libraries?
I got interested in libraries when I was a high school English teacher, and I wanted a job where I could still teach but have more flexibility with content and time for one-on-one assistance. I saw so many needs going unmet in the community that I taught in, and I wanted to find a job that allowed the space to assess a specific community’s needs and take action. Libraries were one of the places that fit that description, and here I am. It also feels a bit like fate since I’m named after my grandma’s sister who was a librarian.
What is one of your favorite things about NMRT?
I’m fairly new to NMRT, but I like that there is a community specifically for newcomers to the profession. It can feel a little intimidating to speak up in online discussions with librarians who have been in the profession 30 years and have so much knowledge, so it’s helpful to have a low barrier to entry group like NMRT.
Do you have any advice for other new librarians?
Get out of the library. I try to walk around and visit different departments on a weekly basis, and those short in-person conversations have fueled collaborations and improved communication. Plus, it’s nice to have friends around campus.