At the University Libraries, faculty and staff bring diverse backgrounds and interests to their roles, elevating the Libraries’ culture of interdisciplinary collaboration and lifelong learning and curiosity. We asked Science Libraries Circulation Manager Adrianna Bennett a few questions about her work, to find out more about the inspiration behind her contributions to the campus community.
Q: In your own words, what is a quick overview of your role at the Libraries?
A: I take care of Sorrells Library — the building, the patrons, and the staff. And all that entails.
Q: Talk a little about the work you’re most passionate about. Why have you chosen to pursue this work within a library setting?
A: I am passionate about customer service and having meaningful interactions with others. 12 years ago I got a job in a library and realized that was where I wanted to be. There is an energy at academic libraries specifically, that comes from the students, staff, and faculty constantly learning and bettering themselves. I want to help them achieve their learning goals, whether it’s offering study spaces conducive to different types of studying styles, or loaning someone a charger, each interaction matters.
Q: Share an experience or skillset that people might not expect a librarian/library worker to have. How is it a game changer for the work you do at CMU?
A: I am an avid gamer. And although that isn’t entirely surprising for a library worker, a lot of people would be surprised as to how transferable those skills are. A game like Fortnite teaches me to think quickly and make decisions in the moment, and that it’s not about the game but the people I’m playing with that makes it fun. The game Baldur’s Gate 3 has taught me that it’s ok to make a mistake, or two, or give, but to keep trying, and to impose different strategies until things work.
Q: The Libraries serves as a neutral convening space to bring different areas of campus together. How do you value collaboration in your work? Can you give us an example of a recent collaboration that has helped a project reach new heights?
A: Collaboration is extremely important to me. I don’t know everything about everything, and others have good insight and different perspectives that I can learn from. When I have an idea I reach out to my team so that they can help me build upon it and make it better. Recently, as part of the Accessibility Committee, I am collaborating with GIS and Spatial Data Librarian Jessica Benner, Arts and Humanities Librarian Lynn Kawaratani, Student Hiring Associate Anne Nowalk, and Materials Processing Coordinator Leah Zande to assess the chairs in both Hunt and Sorrells. What sounds like a mundane task has been really fun with this group.
Q: What’s an area that you want to innovate and push boundaries in? Why is it exciting to you?
A: I want to keep challenging what a library is and what it means to different folk. It’s a space that is constantly changing and I want to stay open and thoughtful to keep up with how the space can be used, should be used, and how patrons actually want to use it. It’s exciting because a stereotype about libraries is that we are hoarders who don’t want to change, and that is the opposite of the truth. Libraries are fluid, constantly evolving to meet patrons' needs. I love that every day at work is similar and yet there is always a new challenge.
Q: What’s something in the Libraries that speaks to you personally? This can be a book, something in the Archives or Special Collections, a space in one of the buildings — anything you want to highlight!
A: This is going to sound silly but, the couch in my office. I have a good reason though! It’s a new edition to the space and it’s been interesting to see how it’s changed my work day. People stop in more often to talk to me about things, from what games I’m playing to how a meeting went. I get to hear about people’s recent work trips, and have conversations that start with, “Did you know philosophy has math in it?” During my lunch breaks I make some popcorn, shut my door, grab my most recent book and curl up on the couch for a mental reset. This has shown me how important it is to have these sorts of spaces out on the library floor; collaborative spaces and private spaces, spaces to relax and places to crank out some work. All of this insight gained from one piece of furniture!