Librarians --
on the cutting edge of the information age.
Twila Camp -- Growing up in Oklahoma, where everyone treats each other like neighbors, made me realize how much I wanted to work with people in my profession. As an undergraduate at the University of Oklahoma, I worked in the Western History Collections. In this archive, I was surrounded by hundreds of years of history in the form of photographs, books, letters, diaries, maps and more. I began to realize the importance of library science and its value for society. Although I started the Masters program at OU wanting to work in archives, an entire world of librarianship opened up for me. I became interested in current issues, trends, and new technology, which became a strong foundation for my current career in Technology Services at the Pioneer Library System. At Pioneer, every day is a rewarding challenge and I enjoy finding innovative ways to serve our customers through the use of new technology.
Adriana Edwards Johnson -- I was born in Kansas and spent my childhood as a nomad. After singing “Rock Salt Jay Hawk” off key one too many times I was chased out of Kansas to Oklahoma where, in 1993, I began my academic career. Attending SWOSU I continued to follow my nomadic tendencies by first being an English Education major.
My wandering soul not only expressed itself in academia but also in my work history where I was employed at a truck stop, the campus cafeteria, a dry cleaners, a biker bar, and the college library. In 1997, having torn my dangling participle in a tragic game of lawn darts I knew that coaching football with my History degree would no longer be an option--so I decided to look at other avenues of fame and fortune. After my patent for the first “inflatable-couples-skate-partner” was rejected I decided to go to Library School. Since embarking on that adventure I have had the privilege of working at OU, UCO, and now SWOSU in various capacities and details will be revealed in my up coming blog “Referencing the 80’s: Why doesn’t anyone get my jokes anymore?!”
Sara Martinez -- There was no inspiration really. It's not like I set out to be a librarian. But I have always loved books, libraries and reading. My becoming a librarian was a fluke, it was serendipity, a chance alignment of the stars. I am so glad it happened and that I am where I am now. What I like most about being a librarian is being surrounded by books. After that, I love interacting with the public and being a know-it-all. Then, I'm lucky enough to be able to work with my other great passion - the Spanish language, Latino culture and Latinos. Isn't it great to be able to answer people's questions? To show them where to look for answers? I am always learning something new, meeting new people and finding new books to read!
Lynn M. Wallace -- I’m currently the Access Services/Faculty Support Librarian at the OSU-Tulsa library in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Boy, sounds like a big title--and this from someone who made C’s in high school! I won’t say I always wanted to be a librarian nor did I spend all my time in libraries in my youth! You would have actually found me instead at a heavy metal concert or hanging out at clubs back in the day.
I floundered around for years after high school paying my way through junior college. I finally received an Associate in Business and managed a family business that sold shelving systems to lawyers, hospitals and libraries. When I had to visit a library during a shelving installation, I fell in love. The concept of vast quantities of information at my fingertips was breathtaking. So I started researching the career and took the leap.
I quit my full-time job and off to school I went. I received my Bachelors and then a Masters in Library and Information Science. It took me ten years from my visit to that library but I now do what I love. I manage a small circulation/reserves crew, help faculty and students with research, find information quickly, build web pages, purchase materials for the library, many other duties to numerous to list and still listen to heavy metal music while working in my office. Life is good!