Name: Michelle Dralle
Your role at Hardin: I am a Library Assistant IV working in Collections, Access Services, and just recently, returned to help in Interlibrary Loan.
Years you’ve worked in a library and years you’ve worked at Hardin: My library career started in high school in the late ’70s as a volunteer at my hometown library in Allison, Iowa, under the direction of librarian Mabel Bauman. I started working at UI Libraries in 1983 and have worked at Hardin on and off as a student and staff since 1983. I’ve also worked at the UI Law Library, VA Library, Math Library, and the Iowa City Public Library (24 years).
One thing you enjoy about working at Hardin: I’ve worn many hats during my library career. Anything from dealing with the bomb-sniffing dog in 2007 during an active bomb threat at Hardin, working at the storage facility (lovingly referred to as the “barn”), to working on the lighting/HVAC project at Hardin. The best experience during my library career has been working with the many students and other individuals that have crossed my path and continue to keep in touch with me decades later.
A fun fact about yourself: I have no peripheral vision, so if you don’t like the answer I give and you roll your eyes at me as you stand next to me, I most likely won’t see it. My door is always open at Hardin, so stop in and say hello.