Kristin Echtenkamp
ALA Divisions:
Curious, collaborative, engaged.
I’m reading Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy.
Collaborative, supportive, inspiring
What I value most about ACRL is the sense of connection it creates among librarians. It’s inspiring to be part of a community where people openly share ideas, challenges, and successes. Those connections spark new ways of thinking and push me to try approaches I might not have considered on my own. Being part of ACRL means having a network of colleagues who genuinely want to help each other grow and improve our work.
I work closely with faculty to support their teaching and research. Sometimes that means leading a class on how to find good sources. Other times, it is helping track down tricky materials or brainstorming project ideas. I also meet with students to help them get more comfortable with research, which is honestly one of my favorite parts of the job. My goal is to make research feel less overwhelming and to connect students and faculty with whatever tools or resources will make their work easier. I enjoy collaborating across campus and being part of a library that is a real partner in learning.
Being an academic librarian means I get to help connect people with ideas every day. Sometimes that’s working with a faculty member on a project for their class, and other times it’s sitting down with a student who is feeling stuck and helping them figure out their next step. I really enjoy those moments when something clicks and they feel more confident in their research. I believe libraries have always played a vital role in learning and discovery, and I appreciate that they also serve as a gathering place for people. I’m happy to do work that helps students succeed, supports research, and contributes to the larger goals of higher education.
Title:Reference and Instruction Librarian
Job Function:Subject Librarian for the School of Education and Human Sciences
Workplace:South Dakota State University
Location:Brookings, SD