The WLAF has hired two graduate students from UW-Madison SLIS as public
relations interns for the Campaign for Wisconsin Libraries. We are excited to have individuals of their caliber working for WLAF. Read all about them in their profiles below:
Name: Susie Seefelt Lesieutre
Professional Status:
1
st year SLIS student at UW
Madison (going part time). Worked as an ESL instructor for many years after
obtaining a Master’s in TESOL. Completed further graduate work in publishing
and communications and then worked for several years as an editor, both in-house
and freelance, focusing on independent and academic press publications.
I decided to pursue
the MLS because I felt that the program would build nicely on my previous
professions of teaching ESL and editing. And I love being around books and
reference materials (but see “aha” moment below).
The biggest “aha”
experience of my SLIS education so far is that “digital” defines the
profession to a much greater degree than I had expected. I was amazed to learn
that academic libraries now often share large database collections that are packaged
and sold by vendors, and that as a result of this libraries are having to
cancel print journal subscriptions by the thousands and are placing books and other
printed matter in remote shelving. Although I am sad to think of things getting
canceled and tucked away out of sight, I also think this is a fascinating time
to be in librarianship: I may no longer be helping users find books, but I will
still be helping them find what they need by navigating new and innovative ways
of storing and retrieving information. And I appreciate even more the set of
mid-1950s Encylopaedia Britannica I
own, which my husband, the eBook Reader fan, threatens every now and then to
place in his own version of remote shelving—boxes in the basement.
Professionally, in
3-5 years, I hope to be finished with my degree and working in a library on
the UW campus, possibly in a reference or library curation position.
Something interesting
about me (not related to libraries): My husband and I adopted our daughter
from Guatemala when she was an infant. She’s now 7-years-old and is in the
second grade. We have been to Guatemala once since picking her up, to visit
with the birth family—an amazing, poignant trip.
Favorite thing to do
when I’m not working/going to school: traveling with my family.
What I hope to
contribute during my internship: By drawing on my background in language
and communication studies, I hope to effectively compose monthly emails for the
WLA that will contain recommendations for librarians across the state on how to
build advocacy activities into their monthly calendar of events.
Name: Laura
Damon-Moore
Professional Status: Graduate
Student and Office Assistant to the UW–Madison General Library System
I decided to pursue
the MLS because I thrive on conversations and learning about new people,
new ideas, new technologies, you name it. I enjoy being an educator outside of
a traditional classroom. I am a firm believer in
interdisciplinary/cross-curricular education and I think that libraries can
serve as a fabulous bridge between disciplines and schools of thought.
The biggest “aha”
experience of my SLIS education so far: My fieldwork at Hedberg Public
Library in Janesville. It realized for me a love for working with young adults
and teens of which I was not previously aware.
Professionally, in 3-5
years, I hope to be working! Many options and ideas: teen/youth services,
undergraduate services, library communications, instruction and programming,
etc.
Something interesting
about me (not related to libraries): I was a theatre major in college! This
is coming in handy when teaching library workshops! I also worked in the
energetic world of student affairs for two years before library school, which
has informed a lot of how I approach library work today. Oh, and my hometown
library is Cole Library – a joint-use academic and public library in the tiny
town of Mount Vernon, Iowa. That has had quite an impact on my view of
libraries, too!
Favorite thing to do
when I’m not working/going to school: Read (right now? George R. R.
Martin). Do yoga. Take walks by the Madison lakes. Enjoy my first year of
married life with Jim!
What I hope to
contribute during my internship: An interesting look at Wisconsin libraries
for a general public audience. I really want to make library users and
non-users aware of the awesome things going on in our state's libraries.
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