Librarian Elina Puckett is the organizer of our Edible Books event, and the subject of our Staff Profile this month.

What do you do at the Library? I am your evening and Saturday librarian. In this capacity, I am here with one purpose in mind – to help you succeed academically, whether you need help with research assistance, citation guidance, technical issues, Library resources and so forth. You name it and I will be happy to help! My other responsibilities include providing Library instruction classes in the evening, assisting with the website maintenance and serving as a liaison librarian for the School of Business, Logistics, & Supply Chain, as well as the School of Health Sciences. I am also in charge of the Library events, such as the Edible Book Festival, Finals Week Refreshments, and the visiting Therapy Dogs.
How did you gain your expertise? I draw my professional experience from several academic libraries where I worked previously. Ivy Tech Library has been my home for the last 14 years. My educational background includes a BA in Education, and a Master of Library Science from IUPUI.
What is unique about your background that could be of service to the Ivy Tech community? Family, friends and coworkers would probably describe me as a “health nut”, because my true passions in life are holistic green living, nutrition, exercise, attachment parenting and so many more health and wellness topics. I am constantly doing research, so if you have a topic in mind, I will surely have a good resource to recommend for reading or watching.
What is your favorite thing to do outside the Library? As some of you may know, I am married to my colleague Jonathan (hint: same last name) whom I met 14 years ago, when we both started working at Ivy Tech within a few months of each other. Together we raise our four beautiful children! Working for many years on numerous collaborative projects prepared us for parenting challenges better than any parenting books!
What is a favorite book you would recommend? I have way too many, all non-fictional. So instead, here is my latest obsession, about to become part of our collection: Eating on the Wild Side: The Missing Link to Optimum Health by Jo Robinson. (Amazon review: “Ever since farmers first planted seeds 10,000 years ago, humans have been destroying the nutritional value of their fruits and vegetables. Unwittingly, we’ve been selecting plants that are high in starch and sugar and low in vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants for more than 400 generations. Eating on the Wild Side reveals the solution–choosing modern varieties that approach the nutritional content of wild plants but that also please the modern palate” Read more)
What is a website you would recommend? I subscribe to and follow quite a few health-themed YouTube channels. One of my latest favorites is Pick Up Limes