Do you know how many books the Ivy Tech Community College Northeast Library has in its collection? The answer is around 20,000, not to mention thousands of videos, audio books, puppets, periodicals and much more.
Most of these 20,000 books and other materials, if not all, were carefully selected and are constantly updated by our Library Director, Sharon Hultquist. Sharon has worked for this library for 18 years. She is responsible for the operation and management of the library and its staff. In addition to purchasing and developing the library’s collections, she is also in charge of the budget, developing and implementing library instruction programs, library services, participating in various statewide college committees, and identifying new methods and trends in information technology to keep up with the mission and the goals of the College.
This list of Sharon’s duties barely covers everything she does in the library, but not many know about her unique talent to manage people. Everybody in the library would tell you that Sharon is an exceptional boss, both fair and professional, fostering talent and nurturing creativity in her staff, loved and respected by the staff and the patrons.
“Sharon has a lot of qualities that make her a great supervisor, but one that stands out to me is that she allows each of us to use our unique combination of skills and interests to come up with projects that improve Library services. Working on projects that we really care about motivates us to go the extra mile, and Sharon does everything possible to support us along the way. She also actively fosters collaboration, so we know that if we ever need help there are other people who will happily lend a hand.”
(Library Staff)
Before coming to Ivy Tech, Sharon spent 20 years teaching in Fort Wayne area schools. She earned her Associate of Arts from Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri; Bachelor of Science in Education and Masters of Library Sciences from Indiana University, and completed Ivy Tech Leadership Academy in 1998. In 1996, soon after Sharon accepted the Library Director’s position at Ivy Tech she received The Outstanding New Librarian of the Year Award from the Indiana Library Federation for the exceptional contributions and commitment to the library and the community.
As a library patron, you will find Sharon irreplaceable when it comes to book knowledge and readers’ advisory. She is known for her curiosity and the love of reading. If you ever need a fiction review or recommendation — ask Sharon. She reads 3-4 new fiction books a week.
Sharon also knows everything about dog adoption, rescue and training. As a member of multiple dog rescue groups (all breads of setters, plus Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.) Sharon has saved the lives of dozens of dogs, fostering and re-homing dogs over 13 years.
“Ivy Tech Community College is fortunate to have Sharon Hultquist as an employee, Ivy Tech students are lucky to have her as an advocate, and we library staff members are blessed to have her as our boss. The only thing greater than Sharon’s knowledge of available resources is her desire to make sure people get the materials they need to do their best. Sharon is a dedicated and tireless champion of both humans and canines!”
(Library Staff)
Outside of the library Sharon loves reading, walking her three dogs (Fanny, Cam and Bop), chatting with friends, playing with her four-year-old twin granddaughters (Lilly and Isabella), travel (especially in the mountains) and flower gardening. She also collects fairies and everything about setters.
“Sharon has a willingness to pursue options that are not normally associated with academic libraries but that better serve our students or faculty, such as our large children’s lit collection.”
(Library Staff)
Today Sharon wants to share with you the list of her favorite authors and interesting books:
Fort Wayne & Warsaw Library Blogs 
Sharon…you share my same heart & spirit…you are a blessing in this world…
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