JODI DUET
Author: Greg Gaspard
Where is your hometown?
I grew up in Albany, Louisiana. It’s a small town with one stoplight. Everyone knows everyone! My husband and I moved to the area in 2008, when his job brought us here. I have also lived in Alabama and Texas.
Where did you attend college?
I attended the University of West Alabama for a short time and I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Southeastern Louisiana University and a Master of Library and Information Science degree from Louisiana State University.
How long have you worked at Fletcher?
I started working at Fletcher in August 2008. I began as Cataloging Specialist, moved up to Technical Services Librarian, and now am the Director of Library Services. I love Fletcher! I have grown so much in my 11 years here.
What is most rewarding about your job?
The most rewarding thing about my job is helping students reach their goals and be successful. Today’s academic librarian has to meet students where they are, and I think that rings true here at Fletcher. We have such a diverse student population and I love meeting the students, getting to work one on one with them, and watching them achieve success. We are champions for access to information and learning. We want to help students be able to find information, think critically about it, and use it! Knowing this skill transcends coursework – it is useful in all areas of life!
What is most challenging about your job?
I think the biggest challenge is user perception. Many people think libraries are outdated buildings with dusty books and librarians shushing them. We are far more than that! In my experience, the services and resources that we provide often surprise students. We just have to get them in the door. I have heard repeatedly, “This is awesome” and “I never knew the library had this/could do this.” My vision for the library at Fletcher is to be an active learning hub where students can feel welcomed and know they will get help with any question they may have. We have recently implemented individualized reference appointments, where students can meet with a librarian for a designated session for assistance with research and citation. Our live chat feature is very popular and we have been able to assist students who may not have otherwise reached out. Just in the 2018-2019 school year, the library had over 25,000 visitors! We are ready and excited to serve our faculty and students.
For fun: If you could wear only one style of shoes for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Totally flip flops!
Favorite Movie: I love Thrillers and Action movies. I could watch Taken (or anything with Liam Neeson) over and over.
Favorite Book: I like true crime or suspense fiction…things I can get through quickly. (Or anything about Princess Diana.)
Favorite Music: You can always find me in the bargain bin looking for 80’s Country Music or Soft Rock. I love Lionel Richie- especially his solo career.
Favorite Pastime: I like to sew, although I haven’t done much of that recently. I like to work in my flower beds at home, but I have a hard time keeping indoor plants alive. I also like to travel, especially to Disney World!