1. How did you become interested in medical librarianship? It was roundabout. My first job was as a science librarian focusing in zoology (undergrad degree in biology), but I knew I wanted to be in Boston. My next position was as the liaison to the biomedical programs at an academic health sciences library, so I became a medical librarian due to my place of work. I love it now, and am happy I stumbled into the role!

2. What is your current position? Health & Life Sciences librarian at San Diego State University. I serve the schools of Public Health, Exercise & Nutrition Sciences – including a doctoral of physical therapy program, Nursing, the department of biology, and the clinical psychology dual degree students and faculty.

3. What do you enjoy most about your current position? As cheesy as it is, I love the graduate students and faculty that I work with the most. I feel incredibly lucky as a medical/health librarian to be seen as an expert and partner in the education of students.

4. What do you think is the most interesting or challenging issue in librarianship today? This is a difficult question – I think there are many challenging issues, but I tend to really focus my musings on perception of our role. I think embracing change is really challenging for many of us, because change means effort to learn and try new things that might fail. We all KNOW librarianship is changing, but until we embrace and run towards that change, the outside perception of our role will be slow to change as well.

5. Please provide a link that made you think (an article, video, blog post, other webpage, etc. that you found to be interesting or thought-provoking): If anybody doesn’t follow Humans of New York by now, I’d be surprised. I’m obsessed because it feels like the most honest and human thing on the internet today – heartbreaking and inspiring and funny. (https://www.facebook.com/humansofnewyork/)

One Response to “New to MLGSCA – Kathryn Houk”

1. Andrea Harrow
   September 16th, 2016 @ 3:50 pm

   Nice to know you Kathryn! I was given the Humans of New York as a coffee table book last Christmas. I found it super funny and touching. Thanks for sharing the FB link.

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