College 101: Getting to Know Your Library: Meet your Librarians
Get to know the Librarians
All of the librarians at TCC are eager and ready to help you!
Academic librarians are considered information experts who help student, staff, and other faculty with:
- Finding information;
- Retrieving information;
- Evaluating information;
- Ethically using and producing information;
- Understanding information in social, cultural, economic, historical, and political contexts.
Librarians are required to have a Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) degree. Sometimes, this degree is also known as "MLS" (Master of Library Science) or "MSLS" (Master of Science in Library Science) or "MALS" (Master of Arts in Library Science), depending on the degree-granting institution. Many academic librarians also have expertise in a particular subject, and/or an additional Master (or PhD) degree in a different subject. At TCC and most community colleges, librarians are teaching faculty members.
Use the links above to learn more about your librarians at TCC!
Melissa Adams, MLIS, BAEd, NREMT
What made you want to become a librarian?
In short, becoming aware of librarians' roles in standing up for first amendment rights. I wanted to be a member of that group.
What's your favorite part of the job?
Talking to students. Learning something new every single day; students almost always bring research topics to me that I know little, and sometimes nothing, about.
What's one thing you want students to know?
We all need to challenge our thinking, our ideas, our existing knowledge, and maybe even have to give a little, or a lot, of that up in the face of compelling information. Nobody says that's easy, because sometimes parts of our identities are wrapped up in what we think we know, but it is worth it, and we will be okay.
What's one of your favorite books or authors?
My all time favorite work of fiction is Sula by Toni Morrison. Generally though, I like non-fiction, especially science and medicine (plagues, parasites,...). Isaac Asimov is still my favorite non-fiction science writer of all time.
What do the letters mean after your name?
I have earned two degrees and one professional certification. My undergraduate degree (BA) is a Bachelor of Arts in Education. I was a K-12 teacher for a number of years. My graduate degree is a Master of Library and Information Science, which I earned in 2008. I also earned an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) certification right here at TCC! I am nationally and state/county certified and volunteer with Pierce County Emergency Management.
Contact:
madams@tacomacc.edu
Christina DelliSante, MLIS
What made you want to become a librarian?
Like many, I grew up going to the library. I loved learning about new things and asking questions. As a college student, I fell in love with the research process and the educational environment. College changed my life and opened my eyes to a more diverse and complex world that I wanted to learn more about. When I started to look into what academic librarians do, I was hooked! I knew that I had finally found a place where I fit in and could help people learn skills and find information that could help them think critically about the world around them.
What's your favorite part of the job?
There's a lot I love about my job, but it's pretty rewarding to see students get excited when find exactly what they were looking for! I like helping students figure out what their assignment is asking of them and just what kinds of information types can be helpful.
What's one thing you want students to know?
I love questions and searching for information! I know how hard the life of a student can be, so I want students to know that they can always come ask us questions. We may not know the answers ourselves, but we like to partner with you to search!
What's one of your favorite books or authors?
I don't think I could pick just one book or author, but I'm fascinated by the life and writings of Louisa May Alcott and others in that New England Transcendentalist-focused literary group, such as Ralph Waldo Emerson and Hendy David Thoreau.
Contact:
cdellisante@tacomacc.edu
Heather Gillanders, MFA, MLIS
What made you want to become a librarian?
I was living in Michigan studying visual art when I took a work-study position in the art library. Almost immediately all of the pieces seemed to fall into place. This was where I was always meant to be; and it was a place that completely fit with my values. I decided to go to library school after finishing my art degree. One of the best things about being a librarian is that I am constantly learning alongside students, and I am never bored.
What's your favorite part of the job?
Helping students realize their potential. All students are capable of great things, but sometimes they need a little help and support along the way to get there.
What's one thing you want students to know?
The library is here for you! We want to help you succeed, so please don't ever hesitate to ask for help if you need it.
What's one of your favorite books or authors?
J.R.R. Tolkein. I will continue to re-read the Silmarillion, the Hobbit, and the Lord of the Rings every few years or so likely until the day I perish. I'm also fascinated by the Arthurian Legend, and have read many different tellings, but my favorite is Mary Stewart's sublime Arthurian Saga, followed by T.H. White's the Once and Future King.
What do the letters mean after your name?
MFA = Master of Fine Arts; I am a visual artist and studied print media in graduate school. MLIS = Master of Library and Information Science; a master's degree is a requirement to practice as a librarian in the United States.
Contact:
hgillanders@tacomacc.edu
Chris Peters, MLIS
What made you want to become a librarian?
I spent so much time browsing the shelves in bookstores and libraries that I figured I might as well get paid for it.
What's your favorite part of the job?
I enjoy making college a little less frightening and stressful for overwhelmed students. Also, in finding the answers to student questions, I’m always learning new things myself.
What's one thing you want students to know?
College is hard for everyone and that difficulty is part of the learning process. Therefore, you shouldn’t feel embarrassed about asking for help. As librarians, it’s our job to answer your questions.
What's one of your favorite books or authors?
Philip Roth’s novels from the late 1990’s, especially Sabbath’s Theater, The Human Stain, and American Pastoral.
Contact:
cpeters@tacomacc.edu
Jennifer Snoek-Brown, MSLS
What made you want to become a librarian?
My mom was a school librarian, so I basically grew up in libraries! I feel very fortunate that I have always known libraries to be welcoming places. I remember my mother earning her graduate degree in library science when I was a young girl -- she worked full-time as a K-12 teacher during the week and went to "Saturday school" for her classes. I witnessed how my mom then transformed our K-12 school library from literally just books on the floor into a real, functioning school library. But I didn't realize that I myself wanted to be a librarian until I was in college. I was a work-study student, working my way through college at the college library, and after the first quarter, I realized that a lot of my friends and classmates were coming to the library to ask me for help finding resources for their papers. Of course, I introduced them to the librarians for professional research assistance, but that's when the light bulb switched on in my head, that I could be a librarian, too! So that's when I formed the plan to get my graduate degree in library science after I finished my undergraduate degree -- and I've never looked back!
What's your favorite part of the job?
The personal connection working with our awesome students and faculty!
What's one thing you want students to know?
That asking questions is a smart thing to do! It's actually a smart and necessary set of skills to be able to recognize when you need something and then to know where and how to get help. And students never have to apologize when they come up to the Research Desk looking for help -- we librarians help answer questions for a living. It's why we're here! :)
What's one of your favorite books or authors?
That's such a hard question to answer! I love to read all kinds of different books, from mysteries to fantasy to children's and young adult books to classic literature. Some of my favorite authors include Agatha Christie (she wrote mysteries), Robin McKinley (she writes fantasy fiction), Jacqueline Woodson (she writes children's and young adult books) and Jane Austen (classic literature). I have noticed that I tend to seek out and read more books by women authors, to support under-represented female voices in literature and pop culture.
What do the letters mean after your name?
"MSLS" stands for Master's of Science in Library Science. I earned my graduate degree in Library Science from the University of North Texas in 2003. In general, a master's degree in library science, or a related field like information science or museum studies, is a requirement to practice as a librarian in the United States. I have also worked as a librarian overseas, and there are equivalent, accredited library science graduate programs worldwide.
Contact:
jsnoek-brown@tacomacc.edu
Olli Toppeta, MLIS, MA
What made you want to become a librarian?
I’ve always been drawn to libraries as spaces of learning and collaboration. When I became able to articulate that two of my biggest passions are research and resource-sharing, it became wonderfully clear to me that being a librarian would mean doing both of those things professionally!
What's your favorite part of the job?
I love helping students articulate their curiosities and figure out how to pursue researching those curiosities.
What's one thing you want students to know?
Your input on library services and collections is not just welcome—it's vital! The library is here for you, and we want to know what we can do to evolve in meeting your needs!
What's one of your favorite books or authors?
One fiction book that I return to over and over is Paul Takes the Form of a Mortal Girl by Andrea Lawlor. It’s a novel about a gender shape shifter and uses comedy to comment on gender, loss, and human connection. Mostly I read non-fiction and I tend to be drawn to authors that blend theory and storytelling devices. Two examples are Saidiya Hartman (author of Wayward Lives Beautiful Experiments) and Paul B. Preciado (author of TestoJunkie).
What do the letters mean after your name?
MLIS means I have a Master of Library and Information Science (the degree required to be a librarian). MA means that I have a Master of Arts—in my case my MA is in the History of Art and Design. I’m very interested in public art as a teaching tool and wrote my thesis on public art and design in Chile from 1970-1990.
Contact:
otoppeta@tacomacc.edu
Rebekah Williams, MLIS
What made you want to become a librarian?
My lifelong devotion to libraries and an intense love of information--coupled with the fact that I wanted a job in which I could have a positive effect on others' lives--led me to librarianship.
What's your favorite part of the job?
I love interacting with students! And I especially like playing a role in helping to foster engaged, critical-thinkers.
What's one thing you want students to know?
That curiosity is not overrated! Be curious, explore, broaden your world.
What's one of your favorite books or authors?
Although I'm a huge fan of literary fiction from around the world, I LOVE reading about anything having to do with food...making it, eating it, fiction, nonfiction...whatever. Favorite authors include Hemingway, Michael Ondaatje, Cormac McCarthy, M.F.K. Fisher, and Betty MacDonald.
Contact:
rwilliams@tacomacc.edu
Taylor Thomas, MSLIS, MA
What made you want to become a librarian?
As a student I had a position at the Special Collections Library at my university. I loved working with the collections, learning about the history of the college, and helping students work on research projects-so I went to library school!
What's your favorite part of the job?
My favorite part of the job is helping students find what they are looking for and just generally making their lives a little easier if I can.
What's one thing you want students to know?
Please ask me questions! I can help!
What's one of your favorite books or authors?
I read a lot of fantasy, mostly whimsical, fairytale retellings, or vampire things. One of my favorite authors is Robin Mckinley, I've read her book Sunshine many times. I also really enjoy Naomi Novik, Neil Gaiman, Holly Black, and other authors that I can't think of right now.
What do the letters mean after your name?
MSLIS: Masters of Science in Library and Information Science- a degree required for librarianship.
MA: Master of Arts, mine is in American Studies with a concurrent degree in Environment and Natural Resources. Basically, I'm into U.S. history and culture, and particularly interested in things like National Parks history and/or environmental movements and policy.
Contact:
tathomas@tacomacc.edu
What do Librarians do?
What do academic librarians do?
If you have ever asked this question or wondered how librarians spend their time, you're not alone. It's clear that the daily tasks of librarianship are a mystery to many. A lot of people think librarians just read all day, check out books, only taking time to go and shush patrons who are too noisy!
There are many kinds of librarians. Here at TCC you have "academic librarians" - those who work in colleges and universities.
Your academic librarians might read professional materials during the day, but they don't check out books, and most of us can't even remember the last time we've requested someone to be a little quieter! Well, what do we do, then?
We are primarily teaching faculty. We teach at the Research Desk, in classrooms we've been invited to and, in credit LS courses, We also create online learning materials, such as this guide you are using, videos, Canvas learning modules, handouts, and more. We also support and promote the use and creation of Open Educational Resources (OER) in your classes. We constantly assess and develop the library collections which include print books and other materials, but mostly focuses on digital resources, including our collection of databases.We also keep up to date not only on information trends, but also social and political trends and proactively look for ways to make the library and our practice increasingly accessible, inclusive, and equitable.
Image source: Librarian icons created by wanicon - Flaticon
How do librarians support student learning at TCC?
Here at TCC, the academic faculty librarians help to support faculty, staff, and students. What exactly does that look like? For students, we help you:
- learn how to use and navigate the library's database and catalogs
- find and evaluate credible information from a variety of print and online sources (including how to use Google more effectively)
- figure out where information is stored and how to efficiently access it and use it effectively in projects, including essays and presentations
- create citations and learn other ways to use and produce information ethically, including avoiding plagiarism
- think about information in the context of the wider world
Get help from a librarian
If you need help learning to do research, including finding, evaluating, using, and citing sources:
- Come in person to the TCC Library's Research Desk in Bldg 7
- Email library@tacomacc.edu
- Start a chat session with a TCC librarian, using the TCC Library Research Chat service below.
- If it is after hours, you can still use chat, however your question will be answered by a non-TCC librarian. This service allows you to talk to a librarian even if it is 3 a.m. in the morning!
TCC Library Research Chat
Chat with a Librarian
Have a question? Need help researching? Not sure where to find what you need?
Use the box below to chat with a (human) librarian 24/7
Except where otherwise noted, the content in these guides by Tacoma Community College Library is licensed under CC BY SA 4.0.
This openly licensed content allows others to cite, share, or modify this content, with credit to TCC Library. When reusing or adapting this content, include this statement in the new document: This content was originally created by Tacoma Community College Library and shared with a CC BY SA 4.0 license.
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