Introducing Chanda Briggs — Outreach and Instruction Librarian!

Interview by Georgina Santillan

What are you most excited about starting your position at USF?

I’m really excited to work with students. I think that students have some of the best ideas and there’s so much creative energy and opportunity to grow and create something new that hasn’t been thought of before. It is such a wonderful environment on a college campus that can’t be replicated in an office or anywhere else.

What drew you to apply to your position here at USF?

I was really impressed by the social justice mission that USF has. As well as the incredible diversity of the student body. That was a big factor for thinking this would be a really good place for me to be.

We’d love to hear about your background, what are some experiences you feel proud of and would like to share?

I’m actually really proud that I got an education at all. Because I came from a pretty challenging background, my family didn’t have a lot of money, I was a young single mom and doing everything on my own. It was really difficult and I had to work very hard so I understand the kind of things that students are going through. Most recently though, I somehow have developed the ability of making people feel as if their voice and their opinions are important. I think maybe because I’m outspoken, it inspires other people to speak their truths as well. I think the more we can do that, the better off we’ll all be.

How do you feel that those experiences will help you at USF?

I think that there really is no better place to be able to speak your voice, college is it. Everyone is really discovering who they are and what they want to do with their lives. We’re at this really great inflection point for people. For me personally, it keeps me inspired and growing and moving and it’s all very exciting.

Are there any research topics and subjects that you are interested in/passionate about?

I’ve always been very curious about how people operate, and how we support one another. How community helps create who we become and how it can be utilized to help people follow their own paths and aspirations. Along with the ways it manifests itself, whether it’s sharing a meal, the way we talk with each other, the kind of system we set up for engagement, it’s all very fascinating. One of the things I would like to do, especially as an outreach librarian, is work with student groups to find out what do people actually want? What is important to them? How can we work on creating that together? That kind of mutual understanding and cooperation is something that not only I’d like to do, but get information on how it best works. So that maybe other places can replicate that and have some really good results out of it.

What do you like to do in your free time?

This last year I’ve been watching a lot of streaming, which is not unusual for me. One of the more unusual aspects though is that I really like Scandinavian tv and films, all the way to the black and white era. So if anyone has any obscure questions about Swedish silent film, I’m a really good person to ask.

Do you have a favorite place in the library yet?

I’ve gotten lost a few times, so I’ll have to get back to you on that one.

What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?

Nobody ever expects that I’m from Wisconsin, I think that’s probably the most surprising thing about me. I’m often asked where I’m from, and Wisconsin is not the answer anyone is expecting.

How are you liking San Francisco? Any interesting finds yet?   

I’ve lived in the Bay Area for about 10 years now, and I really love it. San Francisco has its own unique vibe. I live in the East bay and I love it, but when you come to San Francisco there’s just this richness in history and culture, and it’s so compact that you can’t help but be mesmerized by it. I do really love Bernal Heights, so if I won the lottery I would buy a house there. It just feels really home-y, it’s not too busy or full of tourists.

Do you have any favorite places to hang out in the Bay Area?

I love hiking, especially throughout the East Bay, there’s so many trails and secret staircases. I think sometimes the East Bay is overlooked, Oakland in particular, it has a reputation that is not totally fair, because there are a lot of beautiful spots and things to do in Oakland. There’s even a book of all the secret stairs in the East Bay, which I need to get! You can find many staircases, especially along Lake Merritt, it’s really cool!