Juliann Pawlowski studies biomedical engineering and works at the front desk of the Sciences Library. Originally from Plainfield, Illinois, she was drawn to the University of Iowa by its welcoming environment. Juliann quickly became involved in campus life when she arrived, joining the American Cancer Society as well as the Society of Women in Engineering student groups.
Juliann’s work at the Sciences Library has been a key part of her college lifestyle, providing a place to meet mentors and friends and develop professional skills. She says the customer service and professional collaboration skills she has learned at this job will directly influence her career after graduation. Pamela Kacena, a library assistant who supervises Juliann, is already impressed by her dedication and growth.
“Juliann has been a wonderful asset to the Sciences Library,” says Pamela. “She is hardworking, friendly, helpful and kind to our patrons and to her fellow coworkers. She loves to work with me on setting up exhibits. She is a joy to work with and we love having her.”
Get to know Juliann in her owns words through the Q&A below.
Q: Working at the Libraries, what did you learn or find most surprising? A: Something I found most surprising is how much freedom there is to incorporate my creativity. At the Sciences Library, we work on display cases and I have been able to work on multiple of them with my boss. It has been one of my favorite tasks here and I didn’t even start this job thinking I would be able to do something like that.
Juliann works a shift at the front desk of the Sciences Library.
Q: What do you enjoy about working at the Libraries? A: The people! Being at the Libraries since my first year on campus, I have been able to meet so many students. It has been really nice to meet people who are outside my major and get to know them.
Q: What has been your favorite class at Iowa so far? A: My favorite class has to be either electrical circuits or statics. I think they both taught me a new way of problem solving that I have been able to incorporate into my advance leveled classes.
Q: What might colleagues or students find surprising about you? A: I may not seem like one, but I am a picky eater!
Q: Outside of work or school, what activities do you enjoy? A: I really like to travel and visit different parts of the world. I also enjoy going on walks with my two dogs back home—Hazel and Stella.
Student library employees are a crucial part of what makes the University of Iowa Libraries such a valuable, accessible resource for the community on campus and beyond. Student employees work and grow alongside Libraries staff, directing users to needed resources, caring for materials, and contributing their ideas to guide the Libraries into tomorrow.
For the 2024–2025 academic year, 15 undergraduate student employees have been awarded scholarships in recognition of their work. We are proud to celebrate and learn from them as they share how their time in the Libraries has influenced their interests, well-being, and future plans. Be sure to congratulate the following students when you see them at the Libraries!
Judy and Mike Greer Scholarship in memory of Mary E. Greer
Brianna Bowers is double majoring in computer science and English and creative writing. Originally from Cypress, Texas, Brianna was drawn to the University of Iowa because it is the Writing University. Through her job at the Libraries, she has also learned many other skills.
“Working in Special Collections and Archives has improved my skills in time management, especially for long-term independent projects. My ability to read French has also gone from nil to not bad.”
Kaleb Schlatter from Runnells, Iowa, studies history and Arabic. He believed the UI Department of History would provide a space to read, research, and think historically and transnationally. Working in Circulation and User Services at the Libraries has also expanded his worldview.
“Working at the Libraries has provided opportunities to practice connecting people with resources and communicating across differences. The communication skills I’ve practiced while working at the Libraries are transferable in every workplace situation—namely, careful listening and clear verbal communication. Working at the Libraries also requires regular engagement with large systems for sorting information, which has helped to refine my research skills.”
Benton Family Music Library Student Employee Scholarship
Maya St. Clair from Ankeny, Iowa, is studying music therapy with organ as her primary instrument. Her goal is to become a board–certified music therapist, helping others every day. Her work at the Rita Benton Music Library continues to develop her organizational and interpersonal skills. Maya says these skills are preparing her for her career and she continues to be impressed by the resources available at the Libraries.
“I am always just so surprised about how many resources the library has! Even though I have been working here for almost two years now, I am still learning about the many features of the library. It is amazing how many materials we have, and how much knowledge our amazing librarians have. I am so grateful that I have had the opportunity to work at the Rita Benton Music Library and learned so much from the people around me.”
Bentz Family Student Employee Scholarship
Sadie Crandall is a student from Marion, Iowa, who is studying anthropology, archeology, museum studies, and ancient civilizations. Her work in Special Collections and Archives is preparing her for a career in museums, libraries, or archaeology. She says she’s developing not just important skills in research, cataloguing, and collections care, but a life purpose and personal passion.
“I feel that our field of service is frequently taken for granted, as is the access to the services that they provide. Before working here, I had never thought deeply about the privilege it is to access information within my community and at my fingertips. Now, the thrill of retrieving the exact information that a patron from the community is seeking is always incredibly gratifying, and I am fueled in knowing that I made a difference by providing access and service. I see my role as serving not the library or myself but the community and even the world. Community well–being has very quickly become my focus and a goal I intend my career to support. The work that I am doing is also important for posterity, and so it is important that I work with all possible attention and passion to benefit the future generations of researchers and readers.”
Adam Holmes has deep roots here, growing up in Iowa City, and now joins other members of his family as a Hawkeye. He will graduate with a degree in mechanical engineering next spring, with a focus area in design and a minor in math.
“Working at the UI Libraries has improved my time management skills. The front desk often requires juggling multiple tasks at once—such as checking out materials, helping patrons, and assisting with tour groups—teaching me to prioritize and manage my time efficiently. At first, it could be overwhelming, and I often needed to ask for help and support from my coworkers. Now, I feel much more organized, independent, and confident during busy times, staying calm and focused on helping others. I’m certain that time management will be important in my engineering career, enabling me to handle complex projects, meet tight deadlines, and remain calm and productive in stressful situations.”
Gracie Pruitt came from Bettendorf, Iowa, to Iowa City because of Iowa’s renowned health sciences program. Now, she is a microbiology major on the pre-med track with a minor in environmental science.
“Because of my position at the Libraries, my time management skills have improved. I also believe that my organization is better because I am tasked with things such as shelf-reading, which is organizing books based on the correct cataloging system. I believe my interpersonal skills are stronger. I am increasing my confidence to help patrons with every shift. I want to be a doctor, and doctors need incredibly strong time management and organization skills. Doctors also must have good interpersonal skills, to stay calm when families of patients cannot be calm themselves.”
Sophia Yuhas is from Victoria, Minnesota, and earning a management degree with an art minor. Working at the Art Library has given her practical experience for her leadership and management studies. She has been involved in training new hires and helping them learn standard operating procedures at the library. She has also enjoyed learning to teach and practicing for a future career in management, while also expanding her knowledge of art history.
“I am constantly surprised by the sheer volume of books we have at the Art Library alone! I am an artist and have always been interested in art history, but getting to talk to patrons about the books they check out has taught me so much about many unique topics I never would have thought to explore on my own. Working at the Art Library makes me excited to learn about as much art history as I can and encourage others to utilize the endless resources we have at the Libraries.”
UI Libraries Student Employee Scholarship
Melissa Calderon, from La Grange Park, Illinois, is studying enterprise leadership with minors in media management and Spanish. Working at the Libraries has enhanced her communication skills through daily interactions with other students. She says it has helped her become more open and effective in connecting with others.
“Since working at the Libraries, I’ve been surprised by how many new people I’ve met! Whether it’s coworkers I might not have crossed paths with or the students who visit the desk, it’s always nice to see a friendly face around.”
Olivia Comer is majoring in journalism and mass communications and communication studies. Originally from Indianola, Iowa, Oliva has volunteered or worked at four Iowa libraries in the last five years. She has learned new things at each place, but her experience at the UI Libraries is unique.
“My work at the Main Library has helped me grow my customer service skills, especially through working in an environment that is deeply connected to the campus and the greater Iowa City community. Because of the Main Library’s large population of student patrons, I’ve learned more about how to help younger and less library-proficient people become more confident using library services. It’s nice to be the face that answers their questions for the first time and introduces them to the many services and materials we have that can make their lives easier.”
Jordyn Johnson grew up a Hawkeye fan in Davenport, Iowa. Now, she is a third–year student at the Tippie College of Business studying entrepreneurial management. Working at the Marvin A. Pomerantz Business Library in the BizHub has strengthened necessary skills for her future career, even outside of the classroom.
“Working at the BizHub has helped me with my focus and problem-solving skills because it’s often loud and full of my classmates and friends. I have learned how to shut out all the noise and distractions when I need to get work done. My problem-solving skills have developed because every shift I get asked a question that is out of the ordinary. Half the time students are a bit frantic when asking the question because they are in a time crunch. Being able to admit you don’t know and find the answer while maintaining composure so that the student feels like they have come to the right place is important. Maintaining composure while problem solving in a time crunch can be applied to most careers.”
Ana Koch grew up in Iowa City, Iowa, and feels lucky to be in a nationally renowned nursing program that also allows her to remain local. She has always had a love for science and has enjoyed interacting with others through volunteering in her community. She looks forward to giving back to her community through nursing by helping people during some of their toughest moments. Until then, she is a busy student and continues to refine her communication abilities by working at the Libraries.
“When I first started working at the Business Library, I was surprised by how lively and crowded the space could become. The space is incredibly interactive and inviting and every day is different! Working here over the past four years has helped me so much with my interpersonal communication skills. When I am at the desk, I am constantly interacting with students and using critical thinking skills to help solve varying problems.”
Alyssa Lemay is majoring in statistics on the statistical computing/data science track with minors in mathematics and computer science. She is from Sussex, Wisconsin, and chose to attend the University of Iowa because she fell in love with the feel of the campus and Iowa City as a whole.
“The people at the University of Iowa and in the community truly care about each other and you can feel this when you come to the university. The amount of people and resources that are at the library to help students and community members is the most shocking thing that I’ve learned at the library. Working with the many research librarians and library staff makes it extremely evident that they care about helping people and connecting them with the many resources the university has to offer.”
Juliann Pawlowski is from Plainfield, Illinois, and was attracted to the University of Iowa because of the welcoming environment for first generation students. She is studying biomedical engineering and sees her role at the Sciences Library preparing her for a career in manufacturing.
“Since I work at the front desk I have learned a lot about communication in a professional environment. Being able to talk to peers, graduate students, and professors has helped me for my future career in engineering since I plan to work in the manufacturing environment!”
Ava Stork came to the University of Iowa from Ankeny, Iowa, because of the welcoming and intellectual atmosphere. Ava was looking for a place where she could grow personally and form meaningful relationships with peers and professors. Now, she is studying environmental policy and planning with a minor in urban studies and a certificate in sustainability. Her work at the Libraries has contributed to developing those meaningful connections, as she interacts with patrons during every shift. In addition to refining her communication skills, Ava has enjoyed and grown from tasks challenging her teamwork and creativity.
“I also feel that I have embraced more skills in creativity throughout my time at the Libraries. Utilizing all of the tools in the library to plan and host various events to engage students has allowed me to employ my own unique ideas, as well as work together with others to create successful exhibits. Teamwork, communication, and creativity are all valuable skills that can be taken into any future job.”
Ken Sullivan is from Iowa City, Iowa. She is grateful for the support and opportunities she has received at the University of Iowa through her unconventional journey through college. She is majoring in interdepartmental studies: health sciences with a global health emphasis with a history minor and medieval studies certificate. Ken’s work at the Libraries is part of that experience, enabling her to grow into a more professional version of herself and providing a network of support.
“What surprised me was how much of a community the Libraries are. My supervisors always want to know how I’m doing, repeat patrons remember me, and my peers who work with me are always a delight to work with. We all help each other out which is different than some of my past jobs since I was not afforded such a supportive and welcoming environment by the people around me. I want to extend a thank you to the Libraries for making my time in college more rewarding.”
Inside the University of Iowa Libraries is your look behind-the-scenes to meet the people and discover the stories making our organization unique and valuable. From cutting-edge databases to rare books, join us to explore a world of research, preservation, and discovery that fosters student success through countless touchpoints.
Chris Childs’ journey in librarianship began when he was seeking a meaningful career. Looking for something beyond “just a job,” Chris’s first step into the world of libraries was as a volunteer. Eventually, he landed at Hardin Library for Health Sciences where he now works as a clinical education librarian. He started out as a liaison to the College of Public Health during his first 10 years at Hardin Library. For the past six years, he has worked as liaison to the College of Pharmacy and College of Dentistry.
Chris works with students, faculty, and staff in one-on-one consultations. Depending on their needs, he trains them to use important resources such as PubMed or EndNote, databases which organize citations and create bibliographies. He also provides support by identifying relevant subject terms or articles for their research projects, and occasionally is a mentor to those who are interested in publishing systematic reviews.
In addition to his career as a librarian, Chris also finds personal fulfillment in traveling and it is obvious as soon as you step inside his office. The space is decorated with posters and artwork from destinations he has traveled on his yearly hiking trips. Hear about his travel goals and how a friend inspired his career in Chris’s own words below.
Q: What inspired you to become a librarian? A: When I was living in Richmond, Virginia, I met a good friend of mine who was working at the State Library of Virginia. At the time, I was working for a medical billing company, which was just a job for me. I wanted a career and soon realized that I wanted to do what my friend did. I volunteered at the Richmond Public Library for a couple of months and after that, left Virginia to get a Master in Library Information Science at the University of North Texas.
Q: In your opinion, is there an underutilized but valuable resource at the Libraries? A: Interlibrary loan. Every time I’m introducing the Hardin Library’s services and resources to a class, I always spend a couple of minutes on this. This is such a fantastic resource and I think it’s a shame that not everyone affiliated with the University of Iowa knows about it.
Chris showcases a poster from his recent trip to Devil’s Tower National Monument in his office, along with other travel mementos.
Q: What activities do you enjoy outside of work? A: One of my favorite enjoyments in life is to travel. I take an annual hiking trip every year. My goal is to visit all the national parks or at least all of them in the continental United States. So far, I’ve visited 43 national parks out of 63. It’s difficult to pinpoint a favorite trip as I’ve enjoyed them all. So, I’ll mention my most recent one where one of my stops was at Devil’s Tower National Monument, which I’ve wanted to see since I watched “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” as a kid. It did not disappoint, and I was in awe of it the entire time I was there. My recommendation for anyone traveling to a national park would be to book your lodging in advance, whether you plan to tent camp, stay in a cabin, or a hotel if the park has one. Depending on the park, you might have to do this six months in advance or more.
Q: Do you have a book recommendation? A: I’m currently reading The Angels Game, which is the second book in the Cemetery of Forgotten Book series by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. The first book, Shadow of the Wind, is a book about a book set in gothic Barcelona in the 1940s. It was one of the best books I’d read in a long time.
We were thrilled to host the University of Iowa Libraries Advancement Council (LAC) on campus Nov. 29–31, 2024, and already look forward to their next meeting, scheduled for April 2025.
The LAC actively champions the Libraries and provides guidance and feedback to help UI Center for Advancement efforts to increase support through fundraising, advocacy, and engagement. Members bring a variety of backgrounds and experiences that enrich and broaden the Libraries’ efforts in supporting student success, high-impact research, and creative work.
Left to right, first row: Amy Sullivan; Paula Wiley, associate director of development, Libraries; Jane Roth; Linda “Lin” Phillips, vice-chair; LeAnn Lemberger; Sharon Tinker; Barbara McFadden; and Beth Stence. Left to right, second row: Aaron Schaefer; Christie Krugler, chair; Jack B. King University Librarian John Culshaw; Virginia Eichacker; and Tom Rocklin.
The LAC had a busy agenda, which included getting out and about around the Libraries and campus. Sara Pinkham, exhibition and engagement coordinator, provided a tour of the fall 2025 Main Library Gallery exhibit,Hawkeye Histories | Sporting Stories. It examined the role sports has played at Iowa throughout the changing landscape of intercollegiate athletics and explored Iowa’s first men’s and women’s teams at the turn of the 20th century, the emergence of big-time men’s sports in the mid-1900s, and the rise of women athletes from the 1970s onward.
The group also visited the Marvin Pomerantz Business Library and heard from Kim Bloedel, director of the library in the Pappajohn Business Building’s Biz Hub. The multi-service space is an ideal location for the library to provide assistance to Tippie College of Business students since it also includes a business writing center, tutoring services, and a café.
Sara Pinkham, exhibition and engagement coordinator, provides a tour of the Main Library Gallery exhibit.The group tours the Marvin Pomerantz Business Library with Kim Bloedel, director of the library.
Barbara McFadden, an LAC member and Stanley Museum of Art docent, guided the group on a tour of its collections, which included the exhibit To My Friends at Horn: Keith Haring and Iowa City. The celebrated pop artist created the previously hidden mural as a gift for Iowa’s Ernest Horn Elementary School.
LAC members had the opportunity to experience a behind-the-scenes look at the Libraries Annex thanks to Maggie Halterman-Dess, Annex coordinator. The 60,000 square-foot-facility is the only off-site high-density library storage facility in the state of Iowa and can hold up to 4.8 million volumes in its temperature controlled environment.
Barbara McFadden, an LAC member and Stanley Museum of Art docent, guided the group on a tour of the Stanley Museum.LAC members experienced a behind-the-scenes look at the Libraries Annex with Maggie Halterman-Dess, Annex coordinator.
COURTESY: THE CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF PUBLIC DOMAIN AT DUKE LAW SCHOOL
As of Jan. 1, 2025, all the books, films, songs, and art published in the 1920s or earlier are now public domain. Audio recordings up to 1924 are also in the public domain, following slightly different rules of a 100-year copyright, compared to the 95 years for film, literature, and written musical compositions.
When a work enters the public domain, the public no longer needs to seek the artist’s permission to copy or use the work. This opens the door for creative riffs on the classics and makes these materials available free of charge.
So, what are the big titles newly in public domain? The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner, A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway, and A Room of One’s Own by Virginia Woolf are a few notable literary works. In film, you can find works by legendary directors from Alfred Hitchcock to John Ford. Other works feature Mickey Mouse, the Marx Brothers, Popeye, Tintin, and the musical number Singin’ in the Rain.
Here are some places to check out the newest creative works now in the public domain:
Interested in finding out more about U.S. copyright law and how to determine a work’s copyright status? The Scholarly Impact Department helps faculty work through complex copyright issues, such as what can be used in the classroom, how to retain your rights as an author, and how to apply Creative Commons licensing. Feel free to email Mahrya Burnett at mahrya-burnett@uiowa.edu to set up a consultation. You might also try the Libraries Copyright Guide. This guide provides the basics on copyright issues, such as Fair Use, seeking permissions, author rights, and licensing.
Charmirose “Sugar” Durante’s journey to the Rita Benton Music Library at the University of Iowa began an ocean away in her home country of the Philippines. It was there that Durante first lifted a violin’s bow and played the opening notes of a lifelong career. Years later, her passion for her instrument has brought her to the United States, where she earned a master’s degree from Western Illinois University before coming to the University of Iowa to pursue a Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) in violin performance. And Durante is now entering her third year as a student library employee at the Music Library’s circulation desk, a role she calls “a big part of my life here in Iowa.”
One of Durante’s favorite perks of her job is finding out about new materials the moment they join the Libraries’ collections; many of these works are so new or rare that they are not yet available or accessible elsewhere. For a musician driven by curiosity, it’s a gift to have the chance to explore these newly acquired scores. It’s discoveries like this, “the broad scope of resources available to patrons,” that characterizes the Music Library, according to Durante.
Durante also places a premium on the time she’s been able to spend working with the Music Library’s full-time staff, including its director, Katie Buehner. With Buehner’s help, she’s been able to request materials that support her own scholarship, including hard-to-find transcriptions of Filipino folk songs, two of which have become part of Durante’s repertoire.
“It was a complicated process, but the scores got here,” says Durante. “And [Buehner is] very helpful in purchasing scores or books that students need in their studies, so the collection is continually growing.”
Of course, work at the circulation desk has a significant interactive component, which has helped Durante build confidence. “I’m constantly talking to patrons,” says Durante. And while Durante loves helping current students find scores, she also has a soft spot for returning alumni.
“Sometimes alumni visit the library and ask to see their thesis or dissertation, and it is always great to see their happy faces when they find them,” says Durante. “They often talk about their own experiences as students, and it is fun to listen to their stories.”
One case that charmed Durante recently involved an alumni couple who dropped by to view their theses. “It turned out that the husband’s thesis was out on loan. He was so happy when he found out that someone had checked his thesis out and was actually reading it—probably citing it, too. He kept repeating ‘I’m on loan!’”
Amy McBeth, a library assistant at the Music Library who works regularly with Durante, has high praise for her supervisee. “[Durante] brings a great attitude, terrific dependability, and an exceptional work ethic to the Rita Benton Music Library,” says McBeth.
After she graduates, Durante hopes that her skills will take her into academia again, this time as an instructor. When that happens, she says she will take the lessons learned during her time at the Music Library and be as helpful to her students as her co-workers were to her.
Janna Lawrence retired as the director of the Hardin Library for the Health Sciences in November 2024. She was a cornerstone of Hardin Library for 17-and-a half-years, serving the last five years in the top leadership role as the director of Hardin with unparalleled dedication and vision for the organization.
During her tenure at Hardin Library, Janna made significant strides in enhancing its teaching and outreach programs. She spearheaded comprehensive renovations across all floors of the library, creating an enriched environment for learning and research. Her leadership has left an indelible mark on the library community.
Janna Lawrence celebrates her storied career during a retirement celebration in November 2024.
Janna’s professional journey is distinguished by numerous commendations. She was named a fellow of the Medical Library Association (MLA) in 2021, a prestigious honor that recognized her remarkable contributions to the field. Among her many achievements, a few stand out:
MLA President’s Award, 2020
MLA Virginia L. and William K. Beatty Volunteer Service Award, 2014
MLA Board member, 2021–2024
Editorial Board, Journal of the Medical Library Association
Midwest Chapter MLA president, 2011
In addition to her professional service, she authored numerous articles and book chapters, which can be explored in Iowa Research Online.
As we bid farewell to Janna, we are also looking ahead. A national search for a new director for Hardin Library will commence in the spring of 2025. We are confident that the foundation Janna has laid will guide us to find a leader who will build upon her legacy.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Janna for her years of service and wish her all the best in her retirement.
Carson Hartzog has been working at the Art Library for three years, since she first arrived in Iowa City from Oswego, Illinois.
When she enrolled as a first-year student, Carson Hartzog was already a few years out of high school. She’d tried her hand at college before and ended up withdrawing, an experience that left her feeling somewhat rattled. She wasn’t sure what to expect from her college experience, especially given her status as a nontraditional student.
Carson Hartzog is a student library employee from Oswego, Illinois. (Photo: The Daily Iowan)
“There was a lot of fear for me in coming back to school,” says Hartzog. “I was a bit older than the average student and wasn’t sure how well I’d fit into the student culture. The Art Library was one of the first places I connected to on campus.”
Patricia Gimenez, director of the Art Library, and Jim Hall, library assistant, immediately welcomed her into the library’s light-filled floor in Art Building West.
Hartzog’s return to college has been a resounding success. Now in her final semester, the journalism and social work major is an enthusiastic participant in campus life, including serving as opinions editor for TheDaily Iowan. Her interests have also taken her into the wider world, from an internship with the Coralville Community Food Pantry to a summer stint with BlueGAP, a National Science Foundation project that uses storytelling to take action against nitrogen pollution. According to Hartzog, the confidence to pursue these opportunities began behind the Art Library gates.
“I think that’s one of the most crucial moments for any college student—finding a space where you can be yourself while also moving beyond what you sometimes think is possible for yourself,” says Hartzog.
Hartzog’s experience having Hall as a supervisor has been so positive that in 2023 she joined her fellow student library employees in nominating him for UI Student Supervisor of the Year. Out of 106 nominees, the Pomerantz Career Center selected Hall for the honor.
The appreciation is mutual. Hall praises Hartzog’s “knowledge, experience, reliability, and diligence,” which he says have made her “an integral and vital” member of the Art Library staff.
“Her intelligence, humor, and personality make her a joy to work with and a genuine pleasure to have around,” says Hall.
Though Hartzog is not an artist herself, she says she’s learned a great deal about visual art by osmosis, thanks to friendly library users. She’s also familiarized herself with the Library of Congress classification system, which organizes millions of Libraries resources by subject. One of the things she loves most about the Art Library is its openness to students from all backgrounds and all areas of study.
“Because of the architecture and design that went into Art Building West, students are drawn to it,” says Hartzog. “And I know I’m biased in saying this, but I do think the Art Library is one of the most inclusive spaces on campus. Patricia does an amazing job of curating book displays that represent all of our readers.”
Like many undergraduates, Hartzog is enjoying exploring potential careers. She hasn’t yet pinpointed what comes after graduation, but she knows which values will guide her in the future—and they’re the same ones she’s witnessed in action with her supervisors at the Art Library.
“My end goal in terms of a career is ensuring information is as accessible as possible while also making sure that information reflects as many voices as possible, not just the voices of folks that look like me or share similar experiences,” says Hartzog.
She’s also developed a new litmus test for use in her future career.
“I’m always asking myself: Would I want to work for me? If the answer is no, I know I need to adjust and start asking myself: What would Jim and Patricia do?”
Inside the University of Iowa Libraries is your look behind-the-scenes to meet the people and discover the stories making our organization unique and valuable. From cutting-edge databases to rare books, join us to explore a world of research, preservation, and discovery that fosters student success through countless touchpoints.
For many students, Andrea Anderson is the first touchpoint with the University of Iowa Libraries and becomes their personal guide to the vast resources available at its seven branches and beyond. From teaching classes to providing support at the Just Ask Desk in the Main Library, Andrea helps students develop important research skills and fosters a sense of curiosity about the information around them. She sees herself as a friendly expert who can bridge the gap between students and the research expectations of their instructors.
Andrea joined the Libraries in the fall of 2023 as an undergraduate engagement librarian, after serving seven years at California State University, Bakersfield (CSUB) as a library instruction coordinator. She graduated from CSUB with a Bachelor of Arts in history and earned a Master of Library Information Science from San Jose State University.
Now, Andrea’s work goes beyond teaching library and research skills that help students navigate their academic work. She collaborates with colleagues to engage students in a variety of resources and experiences that support holistic student success while they are on campus and in the libraries. Embracing the lasting impact of her work, Andrea approaches her time with students as an opportunity to encourage lifelong learning.
Q: When does your job feel most rewarding? A: It’s always rewarding to hear from students that something I showed them helped make their academic life a little easier. Sometimes it’s at the Just Ask Desk. Students are surprised by the resources that are so quickly available. Sometimes it’s a faculty member mentioning that students found a workshop helpful. And sometimes it’s a student who just needed to talk their way through an assignment and hear someone tell them they were on the right track. We don’t always get feedback from the help we provide or see the impact it all eventually makes. So, it can be really rewarding to hear back from some of the people we’ve helped along the way.
Q: What is an academic library to you? A: To me, an academic library is the heart of an academic community. It includes our resources, but, just as important, it holds our people and their differing ideas and experiences. It’s both a space to just be and it’s also a place where curiosity leads to new knowledge and understanding of people and the world around us.
Q: What activities do you enjoy outside of work? A: In the spare time I don’t have, I enjoy adding miles to my minivan by driving my four children around to their activities/sports, going on long walks around my neighborhood and commenting on my neighbors’ lawns, and attempting to resuscitate all the plants in my yard.
Q: What might colleagues or students find surprising about you? A: I am currently teaching a first-year seminar on celebrity memoirs. I love memoirs in general but have recently enjoyed diving into this celebrity memoir boom. It’s been interesting sharing different excerpts and seeing themes and experiences that resonate with our students even though most tend to be leading far different lives. So far, my favorite celebrity memoir is Trevor Noah’s Born a Crime.
To find support from Andrea and other librarians, visit the Just Ask Desk in the Main Library or the Contact a Librarian webpage.
Izabella Botto is a second-year student in the University of Iowa School of Library and Information Science (SLIS) from Santa Rosa, California. Her role as an advanced student employee is funded by the University Librarian’s Student Employment Fund.
A conversation with Izabella Botto makes one thing immediately clear: Botto is a true believer in the Libraries. In her work with the Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS) Department, the SLIS student has taken on an admirable array of responsibilities, from helping students at the Just Ask desk on the Main Library’s first floor to organizing book displays and working to increase the accessibility of library instruction. For Botto, libraries are a lifelong point of connection.
“I chose the SLIS program at Iowa because libraries have always been a big part of my life,” says Botto. “And as a history student during undergrad, I loved working and studying in the library.”
Botto’s dedication and adaptability have amazed her supervisor, Katie DeVries, a social sciences librarian and SLIS instructor.
“Izabella holds herself to lofty standards,” says DeVries. “She never shies away from learning something new, whether it’s a new research topic or a library work process. Our department can rely on [Botto’s] efforts.”
Botto received a BA from Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa, and spent a year before graduate school studying visual arts in Florence, Italy. When she returned to Iowa to begin her graduate program, she applied the same adventurous spirit to her studies—and her student employment with the Libraries. She’s quickly become indispensable to DeVries and her colleagues in HSS, who prize her ability to take on tasks in areas previously unfamiliar to her. That has included stepping in to hold office hours for students in the Nonfiction Writing Program. Botto has applied herself enthusiastically to the role, viewing it as an exciting opportunity to learn on the job. As she takes on more advanced work, Botto has especially come to value the mentorship she’s received from DeVries.
“I’ve loved all my professors, but before this position, I’d never really had a mentor,” Botto says. “[DeVries] has all these great ideas and experiences and has really helped guide my work. It’s been very important to me.”
Botto also was nominated and selected to serve on the Ada M. Stoflet Lectureship Committee, an internal body that works together to select the recipient of Ada M. Stoflet Lectureship. The event brings experts in the field of librarianship to campus to deliver a lecture on a topic of interest to Libraries staff and other professionals in the field. Botto, the only student employee on the committee, says she looks forward to bringing lecturers to campus to benefit the Hawkeye community.
“I think it’s a really amazing opportunity to sit down and hear what the other people on the committee have to say,” says Botto. “We can bring in lecturers with different areas of specialization who can speak on what’s happening in the field.”
Botto’s inclusion on the committee will make all the difference, according to DeVries. “In small project teams she listens intentionally,” she says. “Her insights improve project outcomes. She is self-motivated and confident, willing to take risks and apply for new opportunities. We feel lucky to have a student employee like her.”
After she graduates in May 2025, Botto hopes to become a liaison librarian, connecting students and faculty with the world of resources academic libraries offer. Along the way, she says she also hopes to take part in initiatives to modernize and improve the field, including digital library exhibitions and the decolonization of archives. She believes her time at the Libraries has prepared her well to do just that.
“I’m excited to be gaining experience working in an R1 institution and hope to continue fostering student research and sharing all the resources that the Libraries have to offer,” says Botto. “Iowa has been a wonderful opportunity to explore my interests and prepare me for a future career in academic libraries.”
