Over at Gleeson we have had two recent hires, Gina Murrell – Digital Collections Librarian and Annie Reid – University Archivist. We asked them a few questions to get at some of their interests in the library world and the Bay Area.
Gina Murrell
- Can you tell us a bit about yourself before coming to Gleeson?
Before Gleeson, I worked on contract with digital collections and archives at Gap Inc. headquarters in San Francisco, University of California-Berkeley, and University of Oregon in Eugene. I earned my master’s in library science in May 2014 from Queens College, City University of New York (CUNY) and moved to the West Coast soon after. - What drew you to your position here at USF?
I was attracted to the position of Digital Collections Librarian at USF because of the university’s reputation as a good place to work (during the interview process, I was somewhat jokingly told that “USF” stands for “U Stay Forever”), and I appreciated the university’s strong focus on social justice, which is very important to me. Because of my interest in social justice, and the inclusiveness of the library and campus community, I feel that USF is the first place I’ve worked where I can bring my whole self to work. - What do you do here at Gleeson and when did you start?
At Gleeson Library, I manage the digital collections – their maintenance and curation – and I do marketing and outreach for the collections. It’s also my job to stay current on developments in digital collection management, which involves professional development and a lot of networking. I also supervise a very capable digital library assistant. I started as Digital Collections Librarian at Gleeson on April 1, 2019. - What are some topics in librarianship you are passionate about? What about topics outside of librarianship?
Topics in librarianship that I’m passionate about are anti-racism, diversity and inclusion, representation, and passing the mic (or megaphone) to underrepresented groups. Outside of libraries, I’m very much into zines and other alternative media, social media, grassroots movements, plants, and decorating my apartment. - What is your favorite place in the library?
It’s a two-way tie between my favorite place in Gleeson Library, and both are on the 2nd Floor: Gleeson Zine Library and the Black Resource Center. - What about your favorite Bay Area find?
Recently, I stumbled upon 3rd Thursdays at Latham Square, a street fair that happens the third Thursday of every month in the summer at the intersection of Telegraph Avenue and 15th Street in Oakland. The vibe was super relaxed and celebratory, there were music and vendors, and everyone seemed to feel so free. - What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
In my free time, I enjoy attending cultural events in the city and the East Bay, seeing rock bands in small venues, shopping at thrift and resale stores, and meeting up with friends for doughnuts or brunch. At home, I’m trying to lessen my screen time, so I’ve got back into reading physical books and crocheting. - What is one thing people would be surprised to learn about you?
I think many people would be surprised to know a lot of things about me, so it’s difficult choosing just one thing. I’m a fan of vintage sports cars, especially Ford Mustangs from 1966 through 1969, especially the convertible and Shelby Mustang. I’ll watch any movie starring Barbara Stanwyck. I can draw. I make awesome guacamole. - What is one thing you would like faculty to know?
I look forward to collaborating with you to grow the digital collections in an inclusive way so that our increasingly diverse campus community can see themselves reflected in what we have to offer.
Annie Reid
- Can you tell us a bit about yourself before coming to Gleeson?
Prior to coming to the Gleeson Library, I was the University Archivist and Head of Special Collections, as well as a Reference & Instruction Librarian at Dominican University of California in San Rafael for 12 years. - What drew you to your position here at USF?
What initially drew me to USF was its long standing history as an institution in my native San Francisco and the applied social justice mission of the university. After meeting the faculty and staff of Gleeson Library, I knew this would be a welcoming, innovative and collegial place of work. As the new University Archivist, I am excited for the opportunity to bring more visibility to the archival collections through classroom instruction and collaborative research projects. - What do you do here at Gleeson and when did you start?
I am the University Archivist in the department of Special Collections & University Archives. I manage the acquisition, arrangement, description, preservation, reference, and outreach of archival records. I started at Gleeson on August, 8th 2019. - What are some topics in librarianship you are passionate about? What about topics outside of librarianship?
Library topics include: archives and society/culture, instruction using primary sources, serving multicultural and minority populations, intellectual freedom and censorship, and digital libraries. Outside of librarianship I am interested in social justice, music, theater, and dance. - What is your favorite place in the library?
The Special Collections Reading Room - What about your favorite Bay Area find?
The Presidio as well as the Headlands and Fort Baker. - What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
Attending theater and dance performances, hiking, and star-gazing. - What is one thing people would be surprised to learn about you?
I have a bachelor’s degree in Physics. - What is one thing you would like faculty to know?
Part of the mission of the University Archives is to foster student learning and scholarship through instruction and interaction with the collections.