Category Archives: Staff Profiles

Staff Profiles

Spotlight on the Library Clerk: Monique Myers

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Have you noticed the eye-catching displays in the Library? Have you ever stopped to appreciate the brilliant 3-D window scenes in the hallway? Allow us to introduce you to the creator of these amazing decorations – part-time Library Clerk, Monique Myers. Come and check out Monique’s most recent display in the Library: Blind Date with the Book, dedicated to the upcoming Valentine’s Day. Books on Monique’s display are wrapped in paper, so you don’t know anything about it,  just the genre. Pick a “single” book looking for a companion without knowing its title and, who knows, you may discover your new love!

What do you do at the library?

My job title is Circulation Clerk, which involves checking materials out to students and staff, and manning the circulation desk, assisting students needing help with library resources. I also discharge the returned materials and I am in charge of the displays and bulletin boards in and around the library.

Where does your expertise come from?
I have worked in a library from the time I was 16. I started at the Tecumseh branch of ACPL, and have also worked in Genealogy, Children’s Services, and the Shawnee branch. I worked in an academic library while attending college in Indianapolis and I worked in a library while I lived in Georgia for a few years. I have an Associate degree and I am currently working towards a Bachelor degree in general studies. From there I plan on continuing to get a Masters in Library Science.
With my art and displays, I am self-taught, and have no formal training. I draw inspiration from everywhere. My kids are a major influence. I have a passion for animals and cultural artwork, Dia de
los Muertos being my favorite.
What is unique about you that could be of service to the Ivy Tech community?
Having kids and also having experience working in Children’s Services at the Main Library, I have knowledge about juvenile books and authors. Working in so many different libraries, I have gained experience in searching the library collections for what you need.
What’s your favorite thing to do outside of the library?
Outside of the library, I love spending time with my kids whenever possible. We enjoy going to the zoo, bowling, putt-putt, parks, taking our dogs on a walk, going letterboxing, and having movie nights to name a few. Once the kids go to bed (and if I‘m not working on homework), I enjoy reading, playing video games, or working on whatever art project I am currently in the middle of.
Recommend a book to us that you enjoyed.
One of my favorite books is the fantasy novel Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones. I like the Harry Potter series and a lot of Chuck Palahniuk’s books like Fight Club and Invisible Monsters. The Elephant and Piggie books are a series of early readers by Mo Willems. It never get old and always bring giggles.
Share a website.
http://www.letterboxing.org
If you would like to learn more about one of my family’s favorite hobbies, this website explains letterboxing more.
http://www.pinterest.com/There are so many good ideas on this site. I can only let myself look if I have at least an hour to waste.
Staff Profiles

Spotlight on our new Librarians

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In this issue we would like to introduce to you our new part-time Librarians: Elizabeth Kerscher and Sarah Ellsworth-Hoffman. As you may well know by now,  library staff is one of our most valuable library resources. The knowledge and unique cultural background they bring in is in high demand when it comes to research and assistance to our patrons. If you like, you can share your thoughts under the post. We’d love to hear from you! (just click on the comments link under a post). Also, see a sample of the new DVDs,  popular Christmas reading, and new fiction and non-fiction books we have recently added to our collection.
Staff Profiles

Elizabeth Kerscher – Evening Librarian

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What do you do at the library?
A little of this, a little of that, and a little bit more over here. I am always ready to help students with assignments, research, or various computer problems. I’ve also been working extensively on resource lists for our juvenile collection and am starting to work with the Education and Early Childhood Education Faculty on various projects and resources.  

Where does your expertise come from?
I have a BA in Elementary Education from Purdue University and my MLS, with a focus on school/children’s librarianship from IUPUI. In addition to Ivy Tech, I’ve worked in several school and public libraries and have taught an after-school elementary study group, so I’ve got quite a bit of experience when it comes to children’s literature or education-related subjects. I am currently spending my mornings in an elementary school library before I come to Ivy Tech – and the experience is always enlightening.

What is unique about you that could be of service to the Ivy Tech community?
I’m familiar with juvenile and young adult fiction and authors, so I’m a good resource if you’re looking for something to share with children (or just want a good read for yourself). I know quite a bit about our juvenile collection, and what I don’t know, I’m usually able to find through a search. I also have experience planning storytimes – so I might have ideas about how you can use the books you check out.

What’s your favorite thing to do outside the library?
Reading, certainly. I read a lot of juvenile and young adult chapter books to keep up with the kids at the elementary school. When I look for adult books, I tend to gravitate towards science fiction or fantasy. I also enjoy playing computer and video games with my boyfriend, or baking and decorating something sweet to share. And I will drop just about anything when Doctor Who comes on the television.

Recommend a book to us that you enjoyed.
I have a minor addiction to checking books out of the library. I have a small mountain at home that I’m trying to get through! But some good ones I’ve read and would always recommend are:

If you’re looking for a picture book, I love The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore (or anything else by William Joyce!), or for a more seasonal title, Willow and the Snow Day Dance by Denise Brennan Nelson is great and gives kids an entertaining activity.

A good children’s (4th-5th grade age, most likely) chapter book right now is A Hero for WondLa by Tony DiTerlizzi (the second book in a series that starts with The Search for WondLa).

For more adult reading, I really enjoyed Ernest Cline’s Ready Player One, with all of its references, and I’ve never been able to put down anything by Neil Gaiman, one of my most favorite authors ever.

And one non-fiction to round off the list: 3500: An Autistic Boy’s Ten-Year Romance with Snow White by Ron Miles. It’s a quick read, but a fascinating and heart-warming story.

Enjoy!

Share a website
http://www.mousecircus.com/

Mouse Circus is focused on Neil Gaiman’s works for children. Best of all, it has videos. Of Neil. Reading Coraline. Alright. To be fair, he just reads Chapters 1 and 13. He gets other amazing people to read the others for him.

Staff Profiles

Sarah Ellsworth-Hoffman – Morning Librarian

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Name: Sarah Ellsworth-Hoffman
Position Title:  Morning Librarian
Worked at the Library: Since September 2013
Contact Info: sellsworthhoffm@ivytech.eduor phone 260-480-4176
What do you do at the library?
Since I am still fairly new I feel that every day I am learning the nuances of the Northeast Library. I have to start somewhere, even the little things – such as finding printer paper – are elements of the job :).
Every day, I help students with their assignments and answer research questions. I have also taken on some of the previous librarian’s (Jen Traore) event responsibilities, such as helping organize library events like the Edible Books Festival.
Where does your expertise come from?
Two years after receiving my Master of Library Science degree, I now have my first real academic librarian position. Previously, I have worked in Information Services for a medical office, did cancer research and developed a web resource with Indiana University, and shadowed and interned at the University of Saint Francis and the Allen County Public Library. I have always worked in positions where I provide information and assistance to people.
What’s your favorite thing to do outside the library?
There is not one thing, but I can list a few. 🙂 I love hanging out with my husband, especially Sunday morning breakfast/brunch. We both work multiple part time jobs and Sunday morning is a time when nothing feels urgent. I am in a folk rock family band called CLUSTERFOLK, I sing and do a variety of percussion. And when there is time, I like arts and crafts projects. Last year for Christmas, my husband and I made 40+ piñatas for our family members as presents.

 

I am drawn to folk elements in Spanish and Mexican culture. I celebrate Dia de Los Muertos and I enjoy listening and dancing to Salsa and Flamenco music. For our first dance at our wedding, my husband and I did a Tango/Flamenco dance to “Bamboleo” by the Gipsy Kings.
Recommend a book to us that you enjoyed.
I graduated from Indiana University with two Bachelor degrees: one in English (focus on Creative Writing) and the other in Folklore, so I tend to lean towards fiction, folktales, and fantasy reading.
I am currently reading The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling. It is witty for its age (originally written in 1894) and tells a more interesting story than Disney provided.
Sarah wants to share the a holiday recipe with you today:
These are fun to take to a party AND they are tasty.
 
 (No cooking required!)
Hamburger Cookies
You will need:
A Box of Vanilla Wafer Cookies
A Package Keebler Grasshopper Cookies or Girl Scout Thin Mints
A can of Cream Cheese Frosting
A small bag of Shaved or Shredded Coconut
Green, Red, and Yellow food dye
A small amount of Corn Starch
Sesame Seeds
Water
Tools:
Cookie sheet
Four small bowls
One plate
Basting brush or paper towel
A Fork
Rubber Spatula
This is an assembled cookie recipe so I suggest having all the elements ready:
 Making “Buns”: Separate out all the whole vanilla wafers into pairs of two. Pick the better looking cookies for the “top bun”. Sprinkle sesame seeds on wide plate. In a bowl, quickly mix corn starch and water with a fork to make a liquid-like paste. Take the “top bun” vanilla wafer cookie and lightly dab with a paper towel or brush on corn starch liquid on the rounded side. (Be careful not to over soak cookie!). Then dip “top bun” on sesame seed plate and rest on cookie sheet to dry. The corn starch liquid will help the seeds stick to cookie.
Making “Lettuce”: Put Shredded Coconut in a bowl and add ONE drop of green food coloring. This will go a long way. Mix dye and coconut with fork until all the coconut looks like iceberg lettuce. Set it aside.
Making “Cheese and Ketchup”: Divide cream cheese frosting into two bowls (you may not need to use all frosting). Decide on what “Condiments” you want to use and add appropriate dye. Some people just use one bowl and make a light orange “secret sauce” that is on a McDonald’s Big Mac.
Now to assemble burgers! This can get messy if you do not have enough room, so plan out your space.
“Bottom Bun” – use spatula to put small dollop of “condiment” on top.  “Burger Pattie” – Keebler Grasshopper/Girl Scout Thin Mint on top of “condiment”- so it sticks. Put a tiny dollop of “condiment” on top of “Burger Pattie”. Add “Lettuce”. Take “Top Bun” and use rubber spatula to put a dollop of “condiment” on the under side. Place on  top of lettuce. Gently press to make “Burger” elements stick together and give the image of oozy cheese and sauce. Place all finished burgers on cookie sheet in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving or transporting.
Staff Profiles

Spotlight on the Library Staff: Librarian Ben Proud

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Ben Proud
Librarian
Since November 2009
bproud@ivytech.edu,
(260) 480-4195
Q. What do you do at the library?  
A.  Like everybody here, I do several different things that at larger libraries would be handled by multiple people.  I provide reference help to students, which means that I help them find articles or books or help them cite something in a paper, and I help students with more general questions, like how to put a photo into PowerPoint, use Blackboard, or sign up for classes.  I also do about 40-60 presentations a semester for classes.  I do copy cataloging and some original cataloging, which is how our books and other items get into databases where people can look them up.  Another part of my job is the processing of overdue notices and fines (making me the least popular person in the library).  Finally, the technical nature of today’s library means that I also design databases, write small programs that make my work easier, or make videos that stream online.  All in all, a pretty varied workday.
Q. Where does your expertise come from?  
A.  I worked at the University of Maine and the University of Pittsburgh for a few years before coming here.  I received my Master’s in Library Science from the University of Pittsburgh.
Q. What is unique about you that could be of service to the Ivy Tech community?
A.  It isn’t unique exactly since others also do this, but part of my job is to know what resources the Library has and to connect our patrons with them.  I am always interested in hearing from faculty about what courses they are teaching and seeing if we have something that can help make their class better.
Q. What’s your favorite thing to do outside the library? 
A.  I got into computers and electronics just in the last couple years, so I like messing around with that.  A couple weeks ago I fixed a radio and next weekend I am going to try to set up a database/web server on an old computer I have.  I’ve always been into sports, more playing them than watching.  I also like watching birds.  Also, reading (obviously).
Q. What’s on Ben’s book shelves?
A.  I have been on a streak lately, so I would actually just recommend the last three books I read.  The Puritan Way of Death is a very interesting history of early American attitudes and experiences of death.  Winter by Adam Gopnik is a collection of five essays on the matter, and is great to read while watching it snow outside.  Finally, The Master Switch by Tim Wu is a well-written book about information companies, and fills in a lot of history I didn’t know about things like cable and FM radio.
Ben wants to share the following website with you today: http://www.goodshowsir.co.uk/ 
Staff Profiles

Spotlight on the Library Staff: Library Video/ILL Clerk Carol Gibbs

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Carol Gibbs
Name: Carol Gibbs
Position Title:  Library Video/ILL Clerk
Worked at the Library: Since July 2006
Contact Info: cgibbs14@ivytech.eduor phone 260-480-2019
Q. What do you do at the library? I do a lot of different things, but the two duties listed in my title take up the majority of my time. For one thing, I’m in charge of Interlibrary Loans (ILLs.) If a student, staff member, or instructor needs a book, an article, or a dissertation that we don’t have at our library, I contact other libraries and try to find one willing to loan the item to us. I keep track of each borrowed item and make sure it gets returned safely to the home library. Also, we have items that other libraries want to borrow from us, and I keep track of those and ship them out as well. I also get all of the new videos ready to be checked out, help instructors find videos, and reserve videos that instructors want to use on certain days in their classes. I also work at the circulation desk, where I help students, check out books, and answer whatever questions I can!
Q. Where does your expertise come from? I worked at the Allen County Public Library for 6 years before I came to Ivy Tech, at both the Georgetown and Tecumseh branches. In addition I happily haunted libraries for most of my life, and from my earliest years I wanted to play ‘librarian’ the way most children play ‘school.’ But instead of becoming a librarian, my love of words pushed me into getting a journalism degree.
Q. What is unique about you that could be of service to the Ivy Tech community?  I get to see most of the new books and videos as they are added to our collection, so sometimes I’m able to direct people to just the thing they’re hoping to find. And don’t forget that we can try an Interlibrary Loan if you are looking for something not already here.
Q. What’s your favorite thing to do outside the library? I love to read! I usually have a couple of books scattered in my car and around my house that I’m currently reading. I also enjoy crafts, such as crocheting, and my daughter and I have been dabbling at creating jewelry recently. I waste far too much time watching bad TV and drooling over things on Pinterest. I enjoy spending time with my husband Michael, even after 34 years of marriage. Traveling to Utah to visit our son has also been an adventure the last several years. And my ultimate goal is that someday I will shelve a book with my own name on the cover!
Q. Recommend a book to us that you enjoyed. This might be the hardest question ever! Should I recommend a never-fail classic, like Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice? Definitely one of my favorite current authors is Sarah Addison Allen. All of her books are wonderful, but Garden Spells is just a pure delight. I also love Lisa Lutz’s Spellmanseries, and Spencer Quinn’s Chet and Bernie books always bring a smile. One of the lucky things about working in the library is that I’m constantly finding new authors to love. Barbara O’Neal is one great author I’ve discovered recently.
 
Carol wants to share the following website with you today:  Something I constantly say is that I either make one huge mistake or embarrass myself terribly at least once a day. In honor of things that seem like such a good idea but go oh-so-wrong, I like to go to Pinterest You Are Drunk and remind myself that I’m not the only one making mistakes.
Library News, Staff Profiles

Staff Member of the Month — Library Director, Sharon Hultquist

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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:
C.J. Box David Baldacci Tim Green
Nevada Barr Maeve Binchy Craig Johnson
Luanne Rice Nora Roberts Dorothea Benton Frank
John Sandford Anne Rivers Siddons Michael Connelly
J.R.R Tolkien Dana Stabenow Catherine Coulter
Louis L’Amour Margaret Maron Lee Child
Sharyn McCrumb Suzanne Brockmann Robyn Carr

Sharon’s favorite YouTube videos for this month:

Staff Profiles

Spotlight on the Staff – Jon Puckett, Lead Cataloging/Circulation Clerk

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Name: Jon Puckett
Position Title: Lead Cataloging/Circulation Clerk
Worked at the Library: 6 years
Contact Info: jpuckett@ivytech.edu or 480-4246

Q. What do you do at the library?
I am the lead cataloging/circulation clerk. I oversee the circulation desk  and make sure things are running properly. I also handle course reserves and oversee cataloging for all library materials, such as books, magazines, puppets, posters and more. I am mainly in charge of the “behind the scene” stuff, but without my work nobody would be able to check out a book or even find it in the catalog. I prepare iPods and laptops for check out and load them with content. If you ever need to reserve the library’s conference room, I would be your person to contact. I’m relied on to troubleshoot most problems in the library, from administrative to technical to mechanical.

Q. Where does your expertise come from?
I have six years experience at Ivy Tech Community College Library and a couple of years at the Ball State Science/Health Library where I worked prior to Ivy Tech. I am currently taking classes towards a computer science degree called Information Systems. I have been interested in computers for many years. I read many tech websites, monitor news in the field, and build computers from scratch.

Q. What is unique about you that could be of service to the Ivy Tech community?
I help students in the library with all kinds of technical issues, i.e. software and computer problems.

Q. What’s your favorite thing to do outside the library? 

I play rugby for the Fort Wayne Men’s Rugby Club. I build computers, and tinker with electronics, computers and gadgets. I love to read science fiction. My dog Sir and I enjoy exploring the outdoors. Sir is a Thai Ridgeback  that I adopted from a rescue group.

My dog Sir

Q. Recommend a book to us that you enjoyed.

Click to look inside

One of my favorite books of all time is Dune, by Frank Herbert. It’s a science fiction novel and the first book written in the series, which spawned many sequels and even prequels. It covers a broad spectrum of issues from religious fanaticism, to wars, to politics, to climate change and even inter-stellar travel. 

Jon wants to share the following videos with you today:

Living My Life Faster project is a sequence of 8 years of daily  self-photos by Baltimore artist Jonathan Keller. “I thought of the project focusing on the differences that one can see in the self from day to day. Same person, different personas. As the project grew and grew, it became more about the process of the whole. I began to look at the long-term changes that occur parallel to the short term changes. These changes will become more and more apparent as the project ages 20-30+ years. Now I’m looking towards the end. It’s a morbid proposition, but something that must be faced”-Jonathan Keller. For more information visit: http://jk-keller.com/daily-photo/

How are world may look in 2020?