Monday, September 26, 2016

Getting to Know TS Law Librarians: Travis Spence


1. Introduce yourself (name & position).
Travis Spence. Head of Technical Services at the Cracchiolo Library of the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law

2. Does your job title actually describe what you do? Why/why not?
I think it does, however, the description  of what is “Technical Services” changes as the profession evolves. I still work in some of the traditional roles and methods of acquisitions and cataloging, but also need to stay aware of how technology is changing what I do. Adaptability is key, as Technical Services takes on more data management and online access responsibilities. Technical Services can mean a lot of different things now. 

3. What are you reading right now?
For nonfiction, I’ve been reading, Letting Go of Legacy Services: Library Cases Studies, edited by Mary Evangeliste and Katherine Furlong. It has a lot of thought-provoking stories about libraries that have given up practices that were once indispensable but can now drain resources and prevent libraries from adapting to users' new needs.

For fiction, I’ve just started Farthing, by Jo Walton, a murder mystery set in an alternate history where the UK backed out of World War II after making peace with Germany.If you could work in any library (either a type of library or a specific one), what would it be? Why?

4. If you could work in any library (either a type of library or a specific one), what would it be? Why?
I think I'd enjoy managing a completely online library someday. I'm intrigued by the challenges of providing users with seamless access to curated resources and research services, no matter where they are or when they need information.

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