The goal of the Texas Conference on Digital Libraries is to bring together those working on digital projects in order to build a practical, usable, and sustainable model for digital libraries.
Our planning committee defines the conference each year by developing a theme, identifying a keynote speaker, and crafting a call for proposals to invite colleagues from our community to come together for the conference.
Take a moment to meet some of this year’s committee members, and be sure to thank them when you see them at #TCDL2021.
| SHELLEY | AMANDA | RAMONA | JON | TAYLOR DVA | JERRELL | TAYLOR F | RACHEL | LINSEY | EMILY | CHRISTINA | THAO | ALEXA | ADRIAN |
MEET SHELLEY
Shelley Barba is the chair of the 2021 TCDL Planning Committee
I’m the Digital Scholarship Librarian helping faculty and students in issues that come about in creating scholarship in a digital format. My main responsibilities lie with our theses and dissertations.
I earned my Masters of Library and Information Sciences from the University of North Texas.
Where is your hometown?
Lubbock, Texas
What might someone be surprised to know about you?
I publish multiple Romance novels a year under a nom de plum.
How did you first get involved in with the Texas Conference on Digital Libraries?
I first attended TCDL in 2009 when it was still held on the UT Campus. I was hooked by the helpful knowledgeable people I met, and I have attended ever since.
What was your first impression of Texas Digital Library?
That this was a way to connect with others in my specialization (digital libraries/metadata) when I did not have that at my home institution.
What has surprised you most about working with TDL?
The sheer volume of members willing to help with whatever needs attention.
What do you find most challenging about coordinating the Texas Conference on Digital Libraries?
Trying to put together a conference for a very diverse group of people — from big schools, small schools, institutions not even schools; big metropolises to small rural towns; librarians, programmers, administrators, graduate school staff members, students — that still has things that are applicable to their interests and needs.
What do you wish other people knew about Texas Digital Library and/or Texas Conference on Digital Libraries?
You get out of it what you put in.
What would you say are some of your strongest beliefs about Texas Digital Library?
You get out of it what you put in.
Tell me about someone who has influenced your decision to work with Texas Conference on Digital Libraries.
Clarke Iakovakis, last year’s Chair of the TCDL Planning Committee, is the main reason I agreed to work on the committee last year. He is one of the smartest, kindest, and hard-working people I’ve ever met. He embodies a lot of principles I associate with TCDL. Last year was such a success, I wanted to be apart of it again.
The interest in TCDL seems to be growing. Why do you think that is?
The quality workshops, presentations, keynotes, and opportunities to network.
What are your professional goals for the next five years?
¯\_(_)_/¯ I’m letting the professional river take me where I need to go.
What’s your personal philosophy on digital libraries / digital scholarship?
We are living in an information age, but it is only a utopia if we leverage it to enable the technology to provide better access to all.
MEET AMANDA
Manager of Digital Services and Scholarly Communication Librarian: I get to work with a great group of colleagues in Digital Services. In this role I support campus researchers by providing guidance on copyright, spearhead the campus OER initiative, and also facilitate access to a suite of scholarly communication services for the campus community.
Undergrad: Amherst College; Law School: SMU; MLIS: UNT
Where is your hometown?
Dallas, Texas
What might someone be surprised to know about you?
I have dual citizenship: American and Canadian
How did you first get involved in with the Texas Conference on Digital Libraries?
This is my fourth year on the programming committee for TCDL. I remember being so thrilled to receive my first invitation to serve letter, and how it made me feel really proud that TDL knew me and thought that I would be a good addition. Each year, this is my favorite service commitment.
What do you find most challenging about coordinating the Texas Conference on Digital Libraries?
There are so many great suggestions and opinions from the programming committee members. Deciding between wonderful ideas is the most challenging for me.
What do you wish other people knew about Texas Digital Library and/or Texas Conference on Digital Libraries?
If you are at a smaller school and/or you are just beginning to plan your digital library strategies, please know that there will be someone at the conference who is willing to help you. My first time attending TCDL, librarians from two different large universities offered to help support my home institution with advice and strategies.
The interest in TCDL seems to be growing. Why do you think that is?
There is something for almost everyone at TCDL. Initially, I was intimidated by the idea of attending, because I am not confident in my understanding of the more technical aspects of digital libraries. But, the different tracks at TCDL insure that those of us interested in archives or scholarly communication matters are just as involved in the conference as those gifted with technical expertise. Plus, the recent inclusion of OER programming is timely because it is a movement which almost every higher ed institution is involved in, each in our own way. I always end the conference with several ideas to implement at Texas Woman’s University.
MEET RAMONA
Ramona Holmes has previously served as TCDL conference chair and serves as chair of the Leadership Academy sub-committee.
University of North Texas Health Science Center
Associate Director, Gibson D. Lewis Library
English, B.A. U of Texas @ Arlington; Information Science, M.S. U of North Texas
Where is your hometown? Arlington, TX
What might someone be surprised to know about you?
I am an active gamer, both console and MMORPG.
How did you first get involved in with the Texas Conference on Digital Libraries?
My previous institution joined TDL in 2007 when I was tasked to implement an institutional repository at the University of Texas at Arlington. I attended my first TCDL the following year, and have served as a member and past chair of the Conference Planning Committee.
What was your first impression of Texas Digital Library?
The spirit of the Texas Digital Library is collaboration and connections! TDL, as well as the annual TCDL, provided many opportunities to meet colleagues across Texas, and beyond. TDL works alongside libraries to expose our shared collections. It is not just a single entity collating data, it is 20+ libraries who strongly believe information should be open to all.
What has surprised you most about working with TDL?
The people are amazing and helpful. TDL staff are always willing to answer a question or troubleshoot a problem. If they cannot answer it in the moment, they will get the information for you. I have never had an issue that sat unresolved.
What do you find most challenging about coordinating the Texas Conference on Digital Libraries?
Committee members come from all over Texas, so we meet virtually and have a lot of tasks to complete before the conference. Communication is key to finishing all that work. However, the final committee meeting takes place on the eve of TCDL, when we all gather face-to-face (in a bar) after 95% of the hard work is finished. That final meeting, seeing my colleagues, and feeling that energy is amazing!! It makes it all worthwhile.
Tell me about some of the people you’ve met while working on TCDL?
I remember meeting Kristi Park when she was planning her first TCDL. She and Ryan Steans were always my go-to people and they are/were the backbone of TDL.
Tell me about someone who has influenced your decision to work with Texas Conference on Digital Libraries.
I heard the first “pitch” for TDL from John Leggett and Mark McFarlane, in 2007 and was sold. Libraries are stronger when we work together and TDL is an organization of collaboration.
The interest in TCDL seems to be growing. Why do you think that is?
An intimate conference like TCDL allows you to interact with peers on a personal level. You watch a presentation and have questions about that project, it’s easy enough to find the presenter and kick ideas around. You lose those opportunities at big conferences, where there are thousands of people and everyone is just running to the next meeting/panel/whatever.
What would you tell someone who is thinking about sponsoring or donating to TCDL?
Good choice! It’s wise to invest in something that has impact.
What do you think will change about digital libraries / digital scholarship in five years?
More and more faculty need librarians to solve data structure issues and provide some pocket tech. We are research partners in a way I have not witnessed in the past. They need us and they realize it!
What’s your personal philosophy on digital libraries / digital scholarship?
Creating access to things that anyone can see anytime, anywhere. It’s why I became a librarian.
MEET JON
Jon Crossno joined the TCDL planning committee for a second year and chairs our conference proceedings sub-committee.
Health Sciences Digital Library & Learning Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
As the Cataloging & Metadata Librarian, I am responsible for adding, updating, and maintaining MARC records in the Library’s online catalog (Koha), as well as adding and maintaining similar or related metadata in the Library’s institutional repository (DSpace) and image repository (CONTENTdm). This also means that I’m the primary local administrator/contact for these systems.
I received my bachelor’s degree in English from The University of Texas at Austin and my master’s degree in Library Science from the University of North Texas.
Fairfield, Texas (a small town – population 3,500 – between Dallas and Houston on Interstate 45); if you travel between the 2 cities often and you’ve stopped at Sam’s Restaurant for BBQ or their delicious homemade pies, then you’ve been to Fairfield!
What might someone be surprised to know about you?
Growing up as the son of a small-town doctor, I did everything I could to stay away from medicine. So the fact that I’ve been a medical librarian for 20+ years is still somewhat startling. In a similar vein, I had always said that I never wanted to be a cataloger, but I’ve now been doing this job for 5 years, and I find that I’m perfectly suited for it. So the moral of the story is, “Never say never!”
How did you first get involved in with the Texas Conference on Digital Libraries?
I had heard a lot about TCDL from one of my former supervisors, Cameron Kainerstorfer, but I never had the chance to attend since it frequently conflicted with the Medical Library Association’s annual meeting. However, I was offered the chance to serve on the 2019 Planning Committee, which would coincidentally be the first time the 2 conferences didn’t conflict with each other. And I found it incredibly rewarding to help plan last year’s conference as well as attend it.
What was your first impression of Texas Digital Library?
Having collaborated with the Texas Digital Library for many years, it’s really hard to remember what my first impressions were. But I am frequently impressed by TDL’s dedication to serve its member libraries and help further their mission to preserve and provide access to digital collections.
What would you tell someone who is thinking about sponsoring or donating to TCDL?
The TCDL Planning Committee – and the Texas Digital Library – work extremely hard at finding engaging speakers and organizing meeting content that will be of wide interest to all meeting attendees, and the meeting’s various social events offer many opportunities for networking and sharing with meeting attendees. Any sponsorships or donations that can support any aspect of the meeting would be greatly appreciated and would go a long way to help provide an engaging, informative, and enjoyable learning opportunity for everyone.
MEET TAYLOR DVA
Taylor Davis-Van Atta is working with the TCDL planning committee for a second year and chairs our call for proposals sub-committee.
University of Houston Libraries
I am Director of the Digital Research Commons, a research lab based in M.D. Anderson Library
Where did you go to school?
Where is your hometown?
Northfield, Minnesota
What might someone be surprised to know about you?
I’m slowly becoming a dog person.
What has surprised you most about working with TDL?
Working with TDL is my first professional experience with a consortium. I couldn’t have expected the degree of generosity of spirit my colleagues across the state and TDL staff show. TDL does a lot of things well, but above all they’re really good at bringing people together and fostering meaningful relationships that have a material and positive effect on my daily work.
What would you say are some of your strongest beliefs about Texas Digital Library?
I’m increasingly convinced of TDL’s ability to become a national force and model for other consortial / community-based efforts in modern librarianship and related fields. It’s exciting to be contributing to such an effort.
The interest in TCDL seems to be growing. Why do you think that is?
I think that as TDL’s national profile grows, increased interest in TCDL has and will continue to follow, both within the state of Texas and beyond. Librarians and other practitioners are seeing TCDL as a desirable place to share their work and debut new scholarship.
What do you think will change about digital libraries / digital scholarship in five years?
I think that the workflows and competencies that build digital libraries and facilitate new works of digital scholarship will become more integrated and seamless aspects of researcher practices and the practice of librarianship. I think new opportunities will continue to emerge for professionals with skills sets and backgrounds that are not library-based (or academy-based) to become key partners in the process of creating and sharing new knowledge.
What’s your personal philosophy on digital libraries / digital scholarship?
Make more things possible for more people!
MEET JERRELL
Jerrell Jones joined the TCDL committee for the first time this year and chairs our student scholarship sub-committee.
University of Houston Libraries
What do you do there?
I manage the Digitization Lab at UH Libraries. My work entails managing all aspects of digitization from student training and project planning to image quality control and preparing projects for digital library ingest.
Where did you go to school?
University of North Texas, BFA
Houston, Texas
What might someone be surprised to know about you?
I am a salsa dancer, commercial aviation nerd, and very amateur sheep shearer.
How did you first get involved in with the Texas Conference on Digital Libraries?
I first got involved with this conference when I gave a presentation at TCDL 2012. TCDL was my first conference and it was through my experience there that I quickly understood why having a conference, unique to digital library professionals working in Texas, was imperative.
The interest in TCDL seems to be growing. Why do you think that is?
I think that the interest is growing because conference attendees are presenting material that’s relevant to what’s going on in the digital library world and making an impact. Because so many innovative ideas are born during conference networking and so many people that attend the conference are excellent communicators, those ideas don’t die on the vine, they are carried through and supported. I believe that’s where the change happens and it points back to TCDL.
What would you tell someone who is thinking about sponsoring or donating to TCDL?
I would tell a potential sponsor or donor that resources given to TCDL strengthen the ability of the conference to flourish in ways that are noticeable. The Leadership Academy, scholarships provided to students and the valuable conversations between library professionals that turn into library improvements around the state are all meaningful reasons to provide support. Additionally, the conference makes it possible for a large group of people that have dedicated their lives to the responsible stewardship of information to have a local conference to rely on; I think that’s a great cause.
What do you think will change about digital libraries / digital scholarship in five years?
I think libraries will take a front seat on tackling challenging issues that may stand in the way of someone taking full advantage of what libraries have to offer. Issues like social justice, diversity in the workplace, hate, mental health, and addiction are being addressed in libraries because they are uniquely positioned to do so. Additionally, I think that library collections will continue to include more works from underrepresented groups. The seeds for these changes are currently being planted in Texas academic libraries.
MEET TAYLOR F
Taylor Fairweather-Leitch is serving her third year with the TCDL planning committee.Where do you work?
Scholarly Communications Librarian
I received a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies at West Texas A&M University and a Master of Library Science at Texas Woman’s University.
Plainview, Texas
What might someone be surprised to know about you?
I enjoy camping, playing golf, and trying new foods – outside of that, I would rather be inside hanging with my dog Mo and my newish husband!
What was your first impression of Texas Digital Library?
I was fascinated and intrigued at their level of commitment to their clients, the wealth of knowledge and expertise of the digital world, and how approachable they were to those who are just getting started.
What has surprised you most about working with TDL?
Other than the knowledge and confidence I have gained, one thing that still surprises me is how approachable the TDL staff is, and how helpful they have been to my growth and education.
What do you wish other people knew about Texas Digital Library and/or Texas Conference on Digital Libraries?
You will not find a better group of people who are working together in creating opportunities for leadership, learning, and support. I have grown so much both in my professional role and personal life in the time I have spent with TDL and I will forever be grateful for the experience and mentorship I have gained.
MEET RACHEL
Rachel E. Winston joins the planning committee for the second time this year.
Benson Latin American Collection at UT Austin
B.A. from Davidson College, MSIS from UT Austin
St. Louis, MO
What might someone be surprised to know about you?
I speak French/Je parle français.
Tell me how you first got involved in with the Texas Conference on Digital Libraries?
I first became familiar with TDL out of proximity, being that I work on campus at UT. The presentations, trainings, and events (like TCDL) that TDL offers provide an important way for institutions and professionals from across the state to network and grow our collective practice.
Tell me about someone who has influenced your decision to work with Texas Conference on Digital Libraries.
My good friend Jes Neal served on TCDL’s planning committee in 2019. Having heard about Jes’ positive experience with the conference and the planning committee, when the opportunity to join came around I said yes!
What’s your personal philosophy on digital libraries / digital scholarship?
As digital libraries become more integral to archival practice, it’s important to remain mindful of the people and communities that are represented on digital platforms. This will require thoughtful, informed description and language practice, and ensuring the creation of inclusive, equitable methods of access.
MEET LINSEY
Linsey Ford is serving her first year with the TCDL planning committee.Where do you work?
University of Houston-Clear Lake
Scholarly Communications Librarian
I earned a Master of Arts in Literature from the University of Houston-Clear Lake before going back to obtain a Master of Science in Library Science from the University of North Texas.
La Porte, Texas
Tell me how you first got involved in with the Texas Conference on Digital Libraries?
I first attended the conference in 2019 and enjoyed it, so when I was offered the chance to be a part of the planning committee I was happy to participate.
What do you find most challenging about coordinating the Texas Conference on Digital Libraries?
This year, it would have to be the fact that is is virtual. There are so many different things to consider that aren’t relevant to face-to-face conferences!
The interest in TCDL seems to be growing. Why do you think that is?
I think part of the reason interest in TCDL seems to be growing is that the sessions cover such a wide range of topics in a variety of formats. There is something useful and interesting for most anyone with interest in digital scholarship.
What would you tell someone who is thinking about sponsoring or donating to TCDL?
TCDL provides a valuable opportunity for digital library and information professionals to get together to share experiences and ideas.
MEET EMILY
Where do you work?
What do you do there?
I’m the Scholarly Communication Librarian and am currently spending a lot of time helping get our new DSpace repository up and running, as well as providing scholarly communication education and support for the UTSA community.
Where did you go to school?
I went to UT Austin for both my BA in Government and History, with a focus on European Studies, and my MSIS.
Where is your hometown?
I’m from Richardson, TX, which is just north of Dallas
What might (someone) be surprised to know about you?
I love doing jigsaw puzzles and have really upped my puzzle game during the COVID shutdowns. Though, my cats often steal pieces and I very rarely can finish one without a missing piece or two.
Tell me how you first got involved with the Texas Conference on Digital Libraries?
This will actually be my first year attending TCDL, though I’ve been wanting to go for several years now! I was registered for the 2020 meeting and was disappointed it had to be cancelled due to COVID. I’ve been working with TDL a lot since I started at UTSA last November and was asked to join the 2021 TCDL committee.
What has surprised you most about working with TDL?
I’ve been very pleasantly surprised by the inherently collaborative mindset of TDL and how welcoming and inclusive they are.
What do you find most challenging about coordinating the Texas Conference on Digital Libraries?
What I find challenging about planning TCDL is also what I think is its biggest strength; that the diversity of topics and interests present at the conference can be hard to coordinate. But, it also means there’s something for everyone.
What would you say are some of your strongest beliefs about Texas Digital Library?
As I’ve gotten to know TDL more the past year, I really believe that one of the greatest things TDL offers is a way to connect with librarians across the state, both professionally and personally. The TDL network is an amazing resource for collaborating with and learning from your peers. They expertly provide a link for libraries across the state that is hard to achieve for a state as big and diverse as Texas.
What’s your personal philosophy on digital libraries / digital scholarship?
I enjoy what I do because I get to work on projects that span different departments in the library and all across campus. Since scholarly communications is not just the purview of the library, I get to collaborate daily with other departments and learn from their different skills and perspectives. Every day is different!
MEET CHRISTINA
TCDL 2019, professional photo
Where do you work?
Denton, Texas
What do you do there?
I am the Library Production Associate at UNT Digital Libraries. I am the project manager in charge of the digitization for the Kempner Fund project.
Where did you go to school?
I received my MFA in Studio Art specializing in Photography from UNT in 2017, and a BFA in Photography from Texas State University – San Marcos in 2013. I am currently in my first year of the MSIS program here at UNT with a focus on Imaging Technology.
Where is your hometown?
I was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas
What might (someone) be surprised to know about you?
I am an avid indoor plant enthusiast. I currently have over 100 plants in my two-bedroom apartment. I started caring for plants following the death of my first cat, Reia, in March 2018 with just a peace lily. I have found plants to be so rewarding and somewhat forgiving. I have joined multiple plant communities that gives me a sense of place and I encourage everyone to own at least one plant to love (but not too much, overwatering is the main killer of plants).
Tell me how you first got involved with the Texas Conference on Digital Libraries?
My first conference was in 2019 and it was the first time I presented on my work for the Kempner project. My colleague was very involved with the event so I experienced the conference’s inner workings (which I secretly enjoy). Since then, I’ve been excited to play a role in this conference and building professional relationships.
What has surprised you most about working with TDL?
How amazing everyone is and how well we all listen to each other, I’m always surprised every time I sit down to help with the conference and share my ideas how well everyone interacts and encourages each other.
What do you find most challenging about coordinating the Texas Conference on Digital Libraries?
I haven’t really seen any challenges worth mentioning. As someone new to the field (less than five years), choosing suggestions for speakers and facilitators was somewhat challenging but overall doable.
What do you wish other people knew about Texas Digital Library and/or Texas Conference on Digital Libraries?
That is for everyone wanting to learn about the backbone of libraries from the programmers, catalog maintenance, and handling digital challenges in the field. Also, the leadership academy is worth everything and pretty much sets you up for success during and after the conference.
What would you say are some of your strongest beliefs about Texas Digital Library?
That it is the best type of resource for Digital libraries out there. No question is too big or too small. They offer targeted discussion and space to get to know others in hangouts through zoom.
Tell me about someone who has influenced your decision to work with Texas Conference on Digital Libraries.
Lea DeForest has been a crucial support for me from the beginning and is someone I highly respect in the field.
The interest in TCDL seems to be growing. Why do you think that is?
Because the service is constantly being improved to compliment advancements in technology and digital libraries.
What do you think will change about digital libraries / digital scholarship in five years?
I think digital libraries will stop being contained to brick and mortar buildings, that outreach to smaller institutions will be easier to achieve through larger institution support. Copyright and ownership issues will still be a large conversation but easier to handle. File Management has the possibility of being even more scary without proper tools so I see that service increasing as well.
What are your professional goals for the next five years?
I hope to complete my digitization project with the Kempner Fund and graduate from UNT with my second masters (MSIS). I would like to continue pursuing the field of digitization in the digital library field of academia if needed but I’m also open to larger institution like the Library of Congress or museums like the Met in New York City.
MEET THAO
Where do you work?
University of Texas Libraries at The University of Texas at Austin
What do you do there?
I am an administrative program coordinator — I get things done, whatever they are!
Where did you go to school?
I studied art history at The University of Texas at Austin and received a masters in liberal arts from St. Edward’s University.
Where is your hometown?
Lewisville, Texas
What might (someone) be surprised to know about you?
I write fiction and sometimes poetry.
What has surprised you most about working with TDL?
Everyone I’ve met through TDL whether it is the staff or members are so incredibly inclusive and open. It’s so nice to be around people who want to collaborate and brush away barriers.
What do you find most challenging about coordinating the Texas Conference on Digital Libraries?
This may be considered a challenge, but I think of it as a really great aspiration: Finding ways to bring people together in meaningful ways despite our inability to see each other in person. I have been incredibly interested in how people have acclimated so quickly to working online, and it will be fun to see how we keep adapting and adjusting.
What’s your personal philosophy on digital libraries / digital scholarship?
I enjoy what I do because I get to help others achieve their goals. I love working with motivated teams who set high, realistic goals. I’m excited to work with so many fabulous colleagues from across TDL!
MEET ALEXA
Where do you work?
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
What do you do there?
I am the Scholarly Communication Librarian. I manage the University’s Institutional Repository, as well as work with faculty, staff, and students to understand copyright, open access, and other issues related to scholarly communication. I am also one of two liaisons to the College of Science and Engineering.
Where did you go to school?
I received my BA from Allegheny College, in Meadville PA. I received my MA in History and Literature from Columbia University, which I completed at their campus in Paris, France. I completed my MLIS in 2018, at the University of Denver.
Where is your hometown?
Boulder, Colorado
Tell me how you first got involved with the Texas Conference on Digital Libraries?
Not even two months into my position at TAMU-CC, I attended TCDL in 2019. I really enjoyed how professional the conference was, how much I learned, and how collegial everyone was with one another. I was asked to serve on the awards committee for TCDL 2019, and that was a great experience, looking at all of the fantastic work that librarians, archivists, and others are doing around the state.
What was your first impression of Texas Digital Library?
I honestly do not recall 🙂
What has surprised you most about working with TDL?
The vast amount of experience and expertise that TDL folks have and are willing to share whenever I have a question.
What do you wish other people knew about Texas Digital Library and/or Texas Conference on Digital Libraries?
I find that at TAMU-CC, only a few library folk know about or engage with TDL or attend TCDL, and although a lot of it does make the most sense for a few of us based on our jobs and responsibilities, I think conversations with TDL and at TCDL can be useful and educational across the library.
Tell me about some of the people you’ve met while working on TCDL?
I’ve learned that everyone on TCDL has a wealth of knowledge, whether it’s institutional knowledge of TCDL and past conferences, or of party planning, etc. I’ve really enjoyed the depth of conversations and the interests various members would like to pursue, especially for the Leadership Academy.
What would you say are some of your strongest beliefs about Texas Digital Library?
Everyone at TDL is willing to help, whether it relates strictly to digital libraries or not. The webinars and other programming that exist outside of TCDL that have been put together because one person expresses a challenge, or another person says they have knowledge on a subject and are willing to share, has been outstanding.
Tell me about someone who has influenced your decision to work with Texas Conference on Digital Libraries.
In our first TCDL meeting, we were asked about this, and a lot of us said we can’t or don’t know how to say no to Lea and/or Kristi. And it’s true. They are always so willing to help me and my colleagues, I feel it difficult to say no when they in turn ask me for something.
The interest in TCDL seems to be growing. Why do you think that is?
The people and the programming. Again, everyone within TDL is so knowledgeable and also so willing to share in their expertise. And the programming reflects that.
What would you tell someone who is thinking about sponsoring or donating to TCDL?
Do it, please! I really appreciate TCDL’s inclusivity both in terms of acknowledging underrepresented groups in their awards, and in sponsorships and awards for students.
What do you think will change about digital libraries / digital scholarship in five years?
I hope that in the next five years, more people will be involved, but within the library and from our greater institution members, and I hope that digital scholarship will be more open and inclusive.
What are your professional goals for the next five years?
Well, Kristi has told me I’m not allowed to leave Texas, so I guess it all depends 🙂 At TAMU-CC I look forward to expanding our Institutional Repository, including undergraduate works.
What’s your personal philosophy on digital libraries / digital scholarship?
In terms of why do I enjoy what I do, I love working in a library where I get to engage with students, staff, and faculty from all across campus. I enjoy teaching information literacy classes because I like to engage students in our vast resources; I like to help students with research questions, because I learn something new and I don’t have to write the research paper, or present the poster/PowerPoint. I love talking about copyright because I’m a nerd. I like engaging with faculty on issues of open access.
MEET ADRIAN
Where do you work?
What do you do there?
Digital Projects Librarian
Where did you go to school?
Undergraduate- University of Texas at Arlington Masters- Texas Woman’s University
Where is your hometown?
Grapevine, TX
What might (someone) be surprised to know about you?
Well, I am a ruthless darts player. That’s the best I can think of!
Tell me how you first got involved with the Texas Conference on Digital Libraries?
I have attended and presented a poster at TCDL and I’m so happy to be a part of the planning committee!
What was your first impression of Texas Digital Library?
The absolute best thing about TDL is the people behind it and they were the biggest part of my first impression. It’s an extremely professional organization run by the most down to earth, intelligent, and charming people.
What has surprised you most about working with TDL?
I love that TDL brings together library professionals from multiple institutions across the state. Through user groups, webinars, and meetings from the most casual to the most professional, I have made real connections and developed genuine relationships with individuals I may never have met otherwise. These groups have helped me to learn and solve problems and they have brought inspiration as well!
Texas Digital Library is grateful to the members who serve on the TCDL Planning Committee. Each year, our members make the conference more vibrant and more inclusive, and we could not host such a successful regional conference without your help. Thank you, TCDL Planning Committee!
The Texas Conference on Digital Libraries will take place virtually in May 2021.
TCDL 2021 Planning Committee
Shelley Barba (chair), Digital Scholarship Librarian, Texas Tech University
Jon Crossno, Cataloging & Metadata Librarian, UT Southwestern Medical Center
Taylor Davis-Van Atta, Digital Scholarship Coordinator, University of Houston
Lea DeForest, Communications Manager, Texas Digital Library
Taylor Fairweather-Leitch, Scholarly Communication Librarian, West Texas A&M University
Linsey Ford, Research and Instruction Librarian, University of Houston – Clear Lake
Alexa Hight, Scholarly Communication Librarian, Texas A&M University Corpus Christi
Ramona Holmes, Associate Director, University of North Texas Health Science Center
Emily Johnson, Scholarly Communications Librarian, University of Texas San Antonio
Jerrell Jones, Digitization Lab Manager, University of Houston
Christina Kellum, Library Production Associate, University of North Texas
Adrian Shapiro, Digital Projects Librarian, Texas Woman’s University
Alex Suarez, Administrative Associate, Texas Digital Library
Thao Votang, Administrative Program Coordinator, University of Texas at Austin
Rachel Winston, Black Diaspora Archivist, Nettie Lee Benson Latin American Collection, University of Texas at Austin
Amanda Zerangue (vice-chair), Manager of Digital Services & Scholarly Communication Librarian, Texas Woman’s University