Brie Baumert
ALA Divisions:
Kind, thoughtful, supportive.
I’m currently reading "Disability Visibility" by Alice Wong with a book group on campus. I also just finished listening to "Love in Color" by Bolu Babalola and would highly recommend it. Bolu’s book is a collection of myth and folktale retellings from around the world and her writing is incredibly immersive and beautiful.
Growth-filled, encouraging, affirming.
I’m grateful for the knowledge and opportunities ACRL continues to share with me as an emerging librarian. Since my time in library school, I have regularly sought out and learned from ACRL resources, be that the standards and frameworks, ACRL-Choice webinars, or listserv conversations. I am currently involved in the ACRL Instruction Section Mentoring Program and have found so much value in my partner librarian’s mentorship, the exchange of ideas, and the sharing of instruction experience.
I spend most of my time teaching information literacy skills to classes or meeting with students to talk about their research. I love that each day is different and I’m so impressed with students’ drive and curiosity. As an academic librarian, I am passionate about reducing barriers to access for students and creating a welcome and inclusive space for all, and do my best to reflect that in my approach to teaching and reference. I also serve on a number of committees, including the library’s outreach committee and IDE committee.
Despite working in my college library as an undergraduate student, I never took advantage of the librarians, always feeling too intimidated or nervous to ask for help. Being on the other side of that now, I hope to lower the barriers to access and create a space where students feel comfortable and empowered to seek out help. As an early librarian, I feel excited and invigorated by the field of academic librarianship and I look forward to all the growth in the years to come!
Credentials:MLIS
Title:Reference and Instruction Librarian for Languages and Cultures
Workplace:Carleton College
Location:Northfield, MN