I am MLGSCA: Janet Crum
Posted on March 3, 2023 by Membership | No Comments
Name: Janet Crum
Institution: University of Arizona Health Sciences Library, Tucson, AZ
Title: Director
Brief description of what you do/your responsibilities at your institution.
As the director, I oversee all operations of the Health Sciences Library, a unit of the University of Arizona Libraries. I directly supervise the associate director and a team of embedded liaison librarians. Together we meet the information needs of faculty, staff, and students in the UA health sciences colleges based in Tucson: College of Medicine-Tucson, College of Nursing, Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy, and our newest college, the College of Veterinary Medicine.
Why is MLGSCA important to you?
I enjoy being part of a smaller organization (MLA is wonderful, but huge) where I can get to know people in my geographic region. MLGSCA is great because its members are great—we’re a warm, friendly, welcoming bunch who support each other.
What was your first library job or professional position?
The summer after I turned 12, my parents decided I shouldn’t spend three months watching The Partridge Family and The Price is Right, so they suggested I volunteer at my local public library. I did. I shelved books, enrolled kids in the summer reading program, and had so much fun, I did it again the next summer. My first professional position was Assistant Librarian (cataloging and reference) at Dalton College (now Dalton State College) in Dalton, Georgia.
What is your advice to someone new to medical librarianship?
Dive in! It’s OK to not know things and to not feel “ready.” Most of us don’t feel like we really know what we’re doing (or is that just me?). Ask questions, learn all you can, and work collaboratively with the rest of the team. Try to be the kind of leader you like to work with.
What do you do in your spare time for fun, or to relax?
I write fiction in my spare time. I’ve published a few short stories under a pen name and am revising my second novel (my first is in limbo while I figure out whether it’s marketable). I also garden and read (mostly crime fiction).
What is the best thing you have read/watched/listened to recently?
I don’t know about “best”, but I’ve just discovered the TV show, Criminal Minds. There are about 16 seasons so that should keep me busy for a while. Nothing like a little murder and mayhem to help me relax before bed.
Is there anything about you that others would be surprised to know?
I was a Jeopardy! contestant over 20 years ago. I lost (cue up that Weird Al song), but for someone who used to throw up at the thought of public speaking, just being able to do something like that felt like a major victory.
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