NMRT Member Spotlight: 5 Questions with Tammy Ivins

tammyivins

Tammy Ivins

Rogers Library, Francis Marion University

Head of Reference

A little about Tammy’s job:

As Head of the Reference department, I coordinate a team of myself and three other reference librarians to provide reference and instruction services to our small (<4,000 students) university community. Our department members manage government documents, archives & special collections, and the library’s website, along with other responsibilities such as collection development.

1) What are some things you like about your job or about working in libraries in general?

I love my job because I get to work closely with students every day. Additionally, I am also enjoying my new role as department head, in which I get facilitate the resources that my team needs to succeed and to lend my voice in the administration of the library.

2) What’s a project or committee you’re working on right now that you’re excited about?  

At my library we are setting up a virtual display board in the lobby.  I am excited about this because we are not only doing this on a zero budget (funding is tight everywhere), but also because the project is a great collaboration between departments. Systems donated an old computer monitor & an ancient laptop (on which we  have been able to get a light-weight slideshow software to run), Tech Services provided a spare computer desk & tablecloth, Circulation helped to set up the display area, and the Reference Department’s web presence librarian will be updating the display weekly.  This is a completely new idea at our library, and I am excited that not only was there no hesitation from anyone in the library, but in fact everyone worked together to make it a reality.

3) What got you interested in libraries?

Like many librarians, I have fond memories of spending hours at my local library as a child.

4) What is one of your favorite things about NMRT?

How easy it is to get involved and start contributing to the profession! Volunteering with NMRT has been incredibly beneficial. I have developed my teamwork & leadership skills and have been able to network with some of the best new librarians out there.

5) Do you have any advice for other new librarians?

Be flexible. While I know of a few librarians who knew exactly what they wanted to do when they got their MSLS, found the perfect job, and stayed there happily forever, that is the exception.  Oftentimes you don’t know what you want to specialize in, can’t find a job in that field if you do, or decide that you want a change.  If you are too rigid in your expectations of yourself and your career, you will miss out on some amazing opportunities for professional development and personal growth.

We are in need of more NMRT Member of the Week nominations! Want to be our next member of the week? Know another new librarian who deserves to be in the spotlight? Fill out our nomination form here!

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