Lenore Hardy, MS
Director
Health Sciences Libraries

How long have you been at Drexel?

My association with our Medical School dates back to 1983 when we were called the Medical College of Pennsylvania.

Where did you receive your Masters in Library Science?

At Columbia University in New York City.

Why did you become a librarian?

I wanted to do something that was a positive good; helping and educating people. Being surrounded by books, (remember there were no computers in those days) and finding answers to interesting questions seemed like the best job in the world.

What do you find most interesting about your work?

It's still different every day. There's always something new to learn, whether about technology, medicine or libraries.

Favorite website?

Too many to choose from!

What do you enjoy doing for fun?

Traveling whenever I can-the more exotic the place, the better. When I can't do that, I play bridge.

Is there anything about you that others might be surprised to know?

I'm a country music fan.

Gary Childs, MS
Education Librarian
Hahnemann Library

How long have you been at Drexel?

I've been at Drexel University for 9 years.

Drexel University.

Why did you become a librarian?

I wanted to help students and the faculty learn to navigate various database systems to get the best information. I really enjoy working with people. Hopefully, I can also challenge individuals' beliefs about librarians as a whole. We're typically a very misunderstood and stereotyped profession.

What do you find most interesting about your work?

The people and the technology. I love working with different members of the University community and the ever-changing technology involved with supporting research needs. The variety of tasks and patrons makes my profession highly interesting!

Favorite website?

As far as research is concerned, the databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO) accessed through Ovid are amazing. For a good laugh, nothing beats Strongbad Emails at www.homestarrunner.com

Favorite search tip?

I recommend that researchers write out their topic search with pen and paper before sitting down at a computer to perform a database search. Doing this allows the researcher to stay focused while searching, and makes the process more efficient.

What do you enjoy doing for fun?

I really enjoy all sorts of media; books, film, videogames, and most importantly music. My favorite genres of music are punk rock and hip hop.

Is there anything about you that others might be surprised to know?

I still miss my old hairstyle. the MOHAWK!

Anita Chiodo, MS
Access Services Librarian
Hahnemann Library

How long have you been at Drexel?

5½ years.

Where did you receive your Masters in Library Science?

Drexel University.

Why did you become a librarian?

I’ve been a lifelong lover of books and libraries. I have also always enjoyed the research and organizational elements of previous jobs. Librarianship was a perfect fit.

What do you find most interesting about your work?

I enjoy working with patrons. You never know what kind of question a patron will ask when s/he approaches your desk. I also love the hunt – finding hard to find information or just generally helping someone navigate to what they need.

Favorite website?

There are so many! ONE of my favorite websites is Gary Price’s “Resource Shelf.” http://www.resourceshelf.com/ It’s chock full of internet tools, resources, and interesting tidbits for just about everyone.

Favorite search tip?

Ask for help from your librarian! We have several search tips tailored to fit your specific need.

What do you enjoy doing "for fun"?

Photography, reading, gardening, going to movies, and spending time with family and friends.

Is there anything about you that others might be surprised to know?

I play the Highland Bagpipes! I’ve been playing for about 14 years now. My pipe band, Ulster Scottish, travels for competition, special events, and parades. It’s a fantastic social and musical outlet.

Linda Katz, MSLS
Associate Director
Health Sciences Libraries

How long have you been at Drexel?

I've been at Drexel- i.e., MCP, Allegheny, MCP Hahnemann, Drexel- for 21 years.

I received my Master's in Library Science from Columbia University.

Why did you become a librarian?

I have always been a lover of libraries, and worked in one while attending college. After I graduated, I found a job in a medical school library and was fascinated by the medical school environment and the literature of the field. After working there for a year, I enrolled in graduate school to obtain a library sciences degree.

What do you find most interesting about your work?

Even after so many years of working in health sciences libraries, I still relish the challenge of the difficult reference question and the tracking down of the elusive citation. I also enjoy collection development- selecting materials for the library's collection. Two very important aspects of my work that I find especially rewarding are mentoring librarians-to-be and supervising staff.

Favorite website?

http://www.library.drexel.edu/
healthsciences/defaultHS.html - our Health Sciences Libraries page!

Favorite search tip?

When searching a database, like MEDLINE, take note of the subject headings that are applied to an article by the indexer. Then use those subject headings to expand your search.

What do you enjoy doing for fun?

I like crossword and other word puzzles, jogging, reading, going to the theatre and the orchestra, and, most of all, being with my granddaughters!

Is there anything about you that others might be surprised to know?

My husband and I enjoy tandem kayacking.

Adrienne Jenness, MLS
Reference Librarian
Queen Lane Library

How long have you been at Drexel?

I've been a librarian at Queen Lane , through various institutional name changes for 10 years.

Drexel University.

Why did you become a librarian?

Shortly before my undergraduate graduation from University of Pennsylvania , I had a conversation with a longtime friend, bemoaning that I had no idea what job I could pursue with a schizophrenic dual degree in English Literature and Natural Sciences, but no teaching credentials. She suggested I might want to become a librarian. It was one of those cartoon-light-bulb-going-on-over-the-head moments. As soon as I heard it, I knew it would be the perfect profession for me. I was a voracious reader, had wide ranging interests and had always loved going to libraries. After more years than I want to count, I still feel that becoming a librarian was one of the best decisions of my life.

What do you find most interesting about your work?

In addition to my time here at Queen Lane , I have worked in public libraries in a variety of Philadelphia neighborhoods. Whether helping children with homework assignments, steering adults with educational or job needs, or assisting medical students and researchers, it's exciting and fun to help people track down the information they need and even more rewarding when you can teach them how to find it for themselves.

Favorite website?

Ours, of course.

Favorite search tip?

Take the time to think of alternate ways to express what you are looking for.

Think beyond Google.

If you are making no progress or you are not satisfied with what you're finding, ask a librarian for help. (Additional tip: Martha Kirby is one of the most amazing searchers I have met.)

What do you enjoy doing for fun?

I read, bake (including the cookies distributed by the Queen Lane Library Elves), garden and coordinate social ministry activities at my church.

Is there anything about you that others might be surprised to know?

I owned and operated a jewelry store for several years.

Leopoldo Montoya, M.A., M.S.
Librarian for Collections and Technical Services
Hahnemann Library

How long have you been at Drexel? 

22 years.

Where did you receive your Masters in Library Science?

Drexel University's College of Information Studies, 1984. 

Why did you become a librarian?

Several reasons: one, to get better at doing my own scholarly research; two, to have an alternative to the college teaching career I was pursuing in case I needed it; three, to fulfill my father's dream of being a librarian (he was a businessman and a lawyer, but he also wrote art books); four, to make proud a few great librarians who hired me as a student worker when I was in college and graduate school.

What do you find most interesting about your work?

The daily chance to impose a sufficient degree of order in the monumental chaos of millions of publications on all subject matters in all languages. One little collection at a time, and another one, and so on.

Favorite website?

The national CDC's, and, locally, www.phillyhealthinfo.org.

Favorite search tip?

I believe all users desperately need to learn how to search by subject using controlled vocabularies, and forget the pedestrian keyword and Google approaches!

What do you enjoy doing "for fun"?

I attend all programs of the wonderful Pennsylvania Ballet, I garden a great deal, I do house restoration work in various places, I cook and bake, I play tennis, and I study philosophy. But above all I play with my youngest daughter and my granddaughter.

Is there anything about you that others might be surprised to know?

I enjoy following car racing and attending standup comedy and flamenco singing events.

Martha Kirby MLS
Library Coordinator
Queen Lane

How long have you been at Drexel?

I started working part-time at MCP library in 1973, before Moore Library was built.

Where did you receive your Masters in Library Science?

Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland.

Why did you become a librarian?

I always liked libraries. I grew up using and working in them. I knew my chemistry background would be useful in a science library.

What do you find most interesting about your work?

There is always something new to learn or a new challenge to cope with.

Favorite website?

Google.com

Favorite search tip?

Having trouble? - ask a librarian.

What do you enjoy doing for fun?

Reading, movies, public radio/TV, classical music, opera, ballet, theater, travel.

Is there anything about you that others might be surprised to know?

I love potato chips almost as much as I love chocolate. :)

Lynda Sadusky, MS
Interlibrary Loan Coordinator, Health Sciences Libraries

How long have you been at Drexel?

25 years (includes Hahnemann University through Drexel University).

Where did you receive your Masters in Library Science?

Drexel University.

Why did you become a librarian?

My grandfather was a librarian and so I spent a lot of time at our public library growing up.

What do you find most interesting about your work?

When I have to put on my "detective hat" to locate hard-to-find items.

Favorite website?

NASA's websites.

Favorite search tip?

Can't find something in our databases? Search Google, it works wonders.

What do you enjoy doing for fun?

Reading , playing my clarinet, listening to music, participating in the senior and chime choirs at church, astronomy.

Is there anything about you that others might be surprised to know?

Not really!

Rebecca Raszewski, MS
Reference Librarian,
Hahnemann Library

How long have you been at Drexel?

I have been at the Health Sciences Libraries for over 8 years.

Where did you receive your Masters in Library Science?

I received my Master's in June 2003 from Drexel.

Why did you become a librarian?

I became a librarian because I loved the library's atmosphere and the idea of being able to borrow books on whatever I wanted. When I volunteered at my local public library in high school and college, I wished I knew how to answer people's questions so I could help them. I didn't just want to shelve the books. I wanted the keys to finding the answers. Even though I have my degree, I realize that learning where to find the answers is a never ending process.

What do you find most interesting about your work?

The questions that patrons ask at the reference desk. Interacting with all of different types of patrons we have here from the undergraduates to the faculty. The searches I get to do for patrons. Improving and upgrading the book collection. Seeing what people use in our collection.

Favorite website?

http://www.refdesk.com/ This website is a great starting point to answer questions on a variety of topics.

Favorite search tip?

If you have an abbreviated journal title, go into PubMed http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
entrez /query.fcgi and click on Journals Database on the left side of screen. Type in the abbreviated journal title in the search for box and hit enter. This should give you the complete journal title.

What do you enjoy doing for fun?

Reading books. Going to the movies. Listening to music. Cheering on my Philly sports teams. Shopping.  I discovered within the last year that I like to cook. I like making desserts the most. 

Is there anything about you that others might be surprised to know?

I don't have my ears pierced because I hate needles.