
What is your position... I'm an assistant in the Special Collections Research Center. It's mostly forward facing - assisting students, faculty, staff, researchers, and other patrons locate and access our materials either individually or in groups. Otherwise, it's researching collections (for Knowledgebase and Tribe Trek) and assisting with behind-the-scenes tasks.
Background... I grew up in a small farm town in Central Illinois. In high school, I enlisted in the Army National Guard and transferred to the Navy after graduation. My plans for a naval career ended prematurely with a medical retirement. I moved to Williamsburg on New Year's Eve 2021, after my wife accepted a position at WJCC Schools. I'm a girl dad to a 6-year-old and an 8-month-old! I enjoy traveling, sports (baseball and soccer especially), watching old movies, and - like most library staff - reading. I love cooking; it might be the only real creativity I have.
Where did you study... I started at the University of Illinois as a poli sci/communication double major. However, my health declined, and I had to withdraw. When I decided to go back to school, I knew I didn't want to go into politics - but not much else. Between my love of libraries and watching my daughter consume knowledge, I found an undergrad ILS program at the University of Maine-Augusta. I graduated this past May and have begun searching for an MLIS program. I am open to any advice on that process!
Why W&M... I did my senior practicum with Michael Runyon last spring and loved the team and what they were doing. I can't imagine a better place than William & Mary that weaves my love of history and archival work with a tight-knit community.
Fun Facts: My love of travel leads to a lot of lists. I've visited 38 state capitols, 17 MLB stadiums, 22 Minor League stadiums, and 1459 (of 3144) counties in the US. That last one will take a bit. I collect signed copies of biographies/memoirs - especially federal leaders and Supreme Court justices. I have seen every Oscar-winning Best Picture from 1927-2019 (and Oppenheimer). The pandemic and kids make watching movies difficult, but I hope to get those last three in soon.
Most frequently checked out library book: I'm usually reading two books at once - a nonfiction and a fiction. With fiction, it's usually cozy mysteries (Agatha Christie and Ruth Ware). My favorite book, however, is The Count of Monte Cristo and I've never gotten around to reading The Man in the Iron Mask, so I've started that. My current nonfiction is about the Bayeux Tapestry.
Listening to right now: I'm going back through the Police's discography after their release of the six-disc edition of Synchronicity last July. Currently, it's Stewart Copeland's The Police Deranged for Orchestra. It's interesting to see what he highlights and what he omits from songs he's been playing for 40-45 years, especially with his love/hate relationship with Sting.