Past and Present
I am a recent graduate of the Master of Library and Information Science degree at the University of Washington Information School. I have worked in several academic libraries of varying size. They are Hurst Library at Northwest University, Wilson Library at Western Washington University, and Suzzallo and Allen Libraries at the University of Washington. I have worked mainly in User and Reference Services divisions in positions as an undergraduate student assistant, full time circulation coordinator, a graduate student reference specialist, a graduate staff assistant for educational outreach services, and currently as the User Services Librarian at Hurst Library.
Future
I am interested in the interactions that library users have with technology as well as with their utilization of the library as a place of gathering, study, and reflection. I believe in making online interactions more intuitive and streamlined, working in line with current web practices. Ultimately what I plan to be about in the library profession is enabling people to find and utilize the information they are seeking, whether they visit the library building or utilize resources online or at a distance. I hope to meet these goals by working in reference and user services, information literacy and instruction, and by contributing to the systems and technology side of library operations and services.
The genesis of an idea
librarylimbo.net started as an exercise learning about and engaging in Library 2.0 tools, looking at how they could be used in an academic library setting. I began envisioning this site some time after that. Several of the personal learning goals I have had for the past couple of years included becoming familiar with content management systems (CMS), exploring open source integrated library systems (ILS), and keeping abreast of the current and future trends in technology and services which will shape libraries for years to come. I started this site using Joomla but switched to Drupal early on. I am still exploring and trying to keep up!
Why ‘librarylimbo'?
As we move from where libraries have traditionally been to where we need to go we must hold on to the good things of the profession while letting go of the old habits and mindsets that may not serve well in the future. Then we can grab hold of new resources, technologies, and ways of doing things to create new services to meet the needs of a society inundated with information, pressed for time, and always in a hurry. Combine a high level of expectation from a tech-savvy culture with information created, used, and lost in the digital landscape. This means we have plenty of exciting and important work with which to keep engaged for a lifetime of fruitful exploration, discovery, and service.
David Austin
QUALIFICATIONS
- Recent practical experience managing and delivering services in academic library settings
- Enthusiasm for, and commitment to, information literacy programming in higher education
- Experience providing general reference services in diverse academic libraries in person and online
- Current practice scripting and capturing screen demonstrations for instructional tutorials
- Familiarity with assessment of distance students’ experience, use, and needs related to library services
- Able to work and learn independently as well as cooperatively in team environments
- Comfortable with many existing technologies while quickly able to learn new systems and programs
- Successful experience coordinating Interlibrary Loan lending operations
EDUCATION
Master of Library and Information Science, June 2009
The Information School | University of Washington, Seattle, WA
- Related Coursework: Information Literacy for Teaching and Learning; Principles of Information Services; Catalogs, Cataloging, and Classification; Library Technology Systems; Web Development Projects; Collection Development
- Portfolio: http://librarylimbo.net/portfolio
Bachelor of Arts in English, June 1997
Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
Northwest University
User Services Librarian, Hurst Library, Kirkland, WA, June 2009 to Present
- Answer reference questions and provide information in person, by phone, and through email
- Provide oversight for the creation of online tutorials for staff training and patron education
- Supervise Circulation department, including two full-time staff
- Manage Interlibrary Loan department
- Evaluate, recommend, and implement changes to current library services
University of Washington
Graduate Staff Assistant, Suzzallo and Allen Library, Seattle, WA, March 2009 to June 2009
- Scripted online information literacy tutorials for the Educational Outreach Librarian
- Edited brief videos presenting student responses to information related issues
- Reviewed and synthesized information from a user assessment survey for use in improving services
- Assisted in gathering information on fee-based degree programs and ascertaining student needs
Seattle University
Student Library Technology Intern, A.A. Lemieux Library, Seattle, WA, March 2009 to June 2009
- Created online database tutorials using Adobe Captivate and Tech-Smith’s Camtasia
- Created and edited web page content via the University’s content management system
- Selected a core collection of print and electronic game development titles for Computer Science
- Compiled a secure Windows based disk image for creation of public user workstations
University of Washington
Student Reference Specialist, Suzzallo and Allen Library, Seattle, WA, 2008 to 2009
- Assisted patrons with complex reference questions in person, on the phone, and via email
- Offered one-to-one assistance and instruction navigating library resources online and in print
- Checked materials in and out with Innovative Interfaces’ Millennium integrated library system
- Provided directional and informational responses to students, faculty, staff, and campus visitors
Northwest University
Circulation Coordinator II, Hurst Library, Kirkland, WA, 2005 to 2008
- Answered reference questions and provided information in person, by phone, and through email
- Facilitated lending for Interlibrary Loan documents and assisted with borrowing transactions
- Maintained student assistant training materials utilizing the University course management system
- Managed circulation transactions using the Ex Libris Voyager integrated library system including renewals, recalls, holds, and patron record maintenance
- Supervised 7–9 student assistants, interviewed and recommended for hire, trained and conducted reviews, and planned and prioritized task assignments
Western Washington University
Education and General Reference Student Assistant, Wilson Library, Bellingham, WA, 1995 to 1997
- Instructed library users on catalog and database use in one?to?one settings
- Provided evening and weekend reference service for the Education Wing of the library
- Answered general information and directional questions
- Shelved materials, shelf read stacks, and processed new periodicals for display
REPRESENTATIVE PROJECTS
Northwest University School of Nursing Information Literacy Blueprint
- Course project for Information Literacy for Teaching and Learning, Spring 2009
- Analysis of current library instruction offerings, followed by design of a new information literacy program to teach information seeking and processing behaviors to upper division undergraduate nursing students.
Information Literacy: A foundation for success – Toward an Implementation of the “First Year Experience”
- Course project for Instructional and Training Strategies for Information Professionals, Spring 2008
- Research into, and creation of, an information literacy program of instruction for undergraduate students in a liberal arts university, based on work of the Policy Center on the First Year of College and other researchers.
Digital Reference in the Electronic Age: A Student’s Experience at the IPL
- Course project for Principles of Information Services, Spring 2008
- Participation in the Internet Public Library’s email reference service, answering eight questions from diverse internet users from around the world, which culminated in a 30 page document containing the client’s questions, my answers, a number of follow up questions, and reflection on the experience.
Hurst Library Building Utilization Planning
- Presentation to Northwest University President, Joseph Castleberry, and Hurst Library staff, Winter 2008
- Presented the library staff’s vision for how to utilize the lower level of the library building when the faculty offices and classrooms are relocated and the space is turned over for library use.
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE
Visser Cabinetworks
Cabinetmaker and Shop Manager, Bellingham, WA, 1998 to 2005
- Researched products, compiled information, and provided advice for major and minor purchases
- Installed and maintained software and hardware on a small office network
- Supervised and instructed 2?4 co?workers in use of specialized CAD software and shop operations
- Built custom commercial and high-end residential cabinets and casework
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
American Library Association
Member since 2006
Washington Library Association
Member since 2006
American Society for Information Science and Technology
Member since 2008
Association of College and Research Libraries
Member since 2009