Leslie Hicks
Exeter Material Center, Nike, inc. in Beaverton, OR
Footwear Material Librarian
A little about Leslie’s job:
I manage the Exeter Material Center located at Nike WHQ in Beaverton, Oregon. The Material Center houses 8000 material swatches and components (shoelaces, webbing etc.) that designers use to determine what materials to put on our shoes. We also provide reference services and educational events for our patrons.
1) What are some things you like about your job or about working in libraries in general?
I love working with our patrons. I learn something new from them everyday. I love helping them solve material problems they might be having.
2) What’s a project or committee you’re working on right now that you’re excited about?
We are currently implementing an ILS system in our library. Until now the library catalog has been running on Microsoft Excel. This will make our collection much more usable for our patrons.
3) What got you interested in libraries?
As a freshman at Western Oregon University I got a job as a student worker in the library. I had always liked libraries, but working in one really started my interest in the profession. Once in library school I realized that my interests lay in the more specialized areas of librarianship.
4) What is one of your favorite things about NMRT?
I love connecting with people that are in roughly the same place professionally as me. It is great to learn from their experiences and share my own.
5) Do you have any advice for other new librarians?
Yes! Do not be afraid to look outside the librarian “box.” There are a lot of opportunities out there for librarians that are outside of the academic, school, and public spheres.
Inspired by Leslie’s story? Inspire someone else by nominating yourself or someone you know to be our next NMRT Member of the Week! Fill out our nomination form here!