Member-at-Large Candidate: Emily Dommermuth
Engineering, Science and Design Librarian, Assistant Professor
University of Colorado Boulder
She/her
Tell us more about yourself and how you became a librarian.
My career in libraries began when I started the University of Denver’s MLIS program and started working as a graduate assistant in several academic libraries. Before that, I studied ecology and worked in parks and environmental education. As Engineering, Science and Design Librarian at the University of Colorado Boulder I get to work with students and researchers in engineering and environmental design. I’m continually inspired by the passion for problem solving and design in the students that I get to work with. Outside of work I am an avid skier and hiker, and love to read and spend time with my dogs.
How long have you been involved in STS and what attracted you to the section?
I have been involved with STS since 2017, and the opportunity to connect with colleagues across other libraries, and the chance to learn is what most excites me about involvement with STS. I’ve been involved in the Science Resources: Discovery & Access, Assessment, and Research Committees, as well as the Information Literacy Framework Task Force.
How have you demonstrated a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion?
I consider equity, diversity and inclusion in most everything I do. I’ll highlight some significant areas of focus.
I was a member of a research team that conducted a large study of first-generation college students (FGCS) experiences on campuses and in academic libraries. Students without a family history of college-going are often members of groups who have been systematically denied access to higher education based on race or ethnicity, social class, language, immigration status, and additional social categories. FGCS students hold many intersectional identities, and learning about the assets they bring to campus and to their learning experiences has been valuable. It has informed my approach to Libraries services, spaces, and collections, as well as my teaching practice.
In my work on the STS Information Literacy Framework Task Force, we discussed and worked to incorporate non-majority systems of scientific communication, authority, and research practice, and worked hard to include input from across the community of science and technology librarians.
Equity and inclusion are important considerations for all of our collections work, however I have especially focused on these values in the Popular Science Reading Collection that I created and continually develop. I seek out titles that are by and about women, racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQIA+, and disabled or neurodivergent scientists and engineers; books that discuss racism, sexism, and other biases in STEM professions; how scientific research and technology development can be biased; and how they can become more inclusive.
How do you envision STS growing and changing, and what role would you play in that process?
While I’ve gotten the chance to be involved in several areas of STS, I’m excited by the opportunity to learn more about the section and the members of STS. Continuing work to communicate, learn, network, and provide programming in multiple modalities to encourage broad engagement across STS membership is important. As is continuing to ensure equity, diversity and inclusion are incorporated and considered in all aspects of the section’s work.
I see high levels of burnout, as well as other causes of stress and anxiety among library workers. I believe it is important for STS to learn about what the members need to support healthy, supportive, engaging workplaces and careers.
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Member-at-Large Candidate: Aditi Gupta
Engineering & Science Librarian
University of Victoria Libraries
she/her/hers
Tell us more about yourself and how you became a librarian.
I graduated with a degree in Biochemistry and started applying for PhD in Biochemistry, and while doing so, I somehow thought of doing something different for a change, so I applied to the MLIS program at the same time at a university in Canada and got accepted. I loved reading and didn’t know a thing about libraries, but I’ve never looked back since! .
How long have you been involved in STS and what attracted you to the section?
I believe I’ve been involved since 2018 and when I was hired in my current position, it felt like the natural thing to do. I wanted to learn from other librarians, but it also turned out to be a great networking opportunity.
How have you demonstrated a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion?
EDI is the cornerstone of my work, as I firmly believe that engaging with communities requires both inclusivity and equity. I am actively involved in various EDI projects at my workplace aimed at fostering cultural responsiveness and inclusiveness among librarians. Additionally, I contribute to ACRL interest groups, serving on committees such as the ACRL EDI committee, ACRL Inclusive Pedagogy committee, and the STS EDI committee. As a Visiting Program Officer, EDI at the Canadian Association of Research Libraries (CARL), I am looking forward to advancing EDI initiatives.
How do you envision STS growing and changing, and what role would you play in that process?
I believe STS is a great place for new librarians to learn about different opportunities in STEM libraries, whether it’s collections, research, or references services. The committees in STS are doing a good job of supporting newer initiatives and I believe I’ve enjoyed learning through the different webinars or getting involved in projects that different committees are working on...
Is there anything else you’d like for STS members to know about you?
You’ll always see me smiling, no matter what!
