We are pleased to introduce a recent acquisition to the library–Andrew McSorley, Circulation and Interlibrary Loan Assistant. Andrew works tirelessly to fulfill Interlibrary Loan (ILL) requests submitted by students and faculty, not only at Lawrence, but from libraries all over the country. He also heads the Circulation desk on Saturdays and helps to coordinate the library’s electronic reserve collection. In addition, he’s proven himself as a real contender for the most hilarious library staff member title, and if you know how funny our music librarian Antoinette Powell is, this is no small feat. Bravo, Andrew! Read on to learn more about Andrew, and be sure to give him a warm welcome if you run into him at the Mudd.
How long have you been working at the Mudd Library?
I have been here for about three months now, and I love it!
What’s your favorite part of your job?
I really enjoy knowing that I’m an integral connection between the faculty, students, staff, and their research. Being at the front lines (in a sense) of a lot of the scholarship for the university is incredibly rewarding.
Share something you’ve done at work that has made you especially proud.
I haven’t been here long enough to really shake things up yet, but I’m proud every time I can lend someone that article or book they’ve had a difficult time finding. I’ve also been really pleased with the rollout of our new software, ILLiad. I’m happy I could add my input into that transition. I’ve made some pretty sweet thank you slips for libraries that lend us materials, as well. So far they have featured Boba Fett, Underdog, Totoro, and The Big Lebowski. The Dude abides.
Where did you get your degree?
I have a Bachelor’s degree from Valparaiso University, and I finished my MFA in Creative Writing at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale in May. Go Salukis!
What are your hobbies?
I write poetry often and on occasion some of it gets accepted to a literary journal, and submitting for publication is a hobby unto itself. I’m finishing up my first manuscript for publication right now. I also enjoy sports of any kind, though I’m particularly an ice hockey fanatic (Go Wild!).
What’s the last book you read that you couldn’t put down?
I always have a few books going at once. The last few I’ve devoured have been The Midlife Crisis of Commander Invincible by Neil Connelly, The Big Smoke by Adrian Matejka, and Your Invitation to a Modest Breakfast by Hannah Gamble.
What are your favorite bands or performers?
I absolutely love Pearl Jam, but I can enjoy just about anything, as long as it’s not country (no offense to Osh Vegas and its epic country love).
List your favorite blogs and/or magazines.
I used to work for Crab Orchard Review, so they obviously have awesome taste and everyone should get a subscription. But, I also really dig Revolution House, Gingerbread House Literary Magazine, and the brand new Psychopomp Magazine. They’re all publishing emerging authors and pretty atypical, ferocious stuff. You can check out all of them online.
What groups and/or organizations are you active in (on or off campus)?
Does fantasy football count as an organization? I’m actively seeking any orgs related to creative writing, so any suggestions are welcome.
Tell us about your family.
My wife works here at Lawrence, as well. She is the director of International Student Services. We both feel really blessed to be working here because we grew up in Appleton, and our families are still in the area. I won’t tell you too much more about my family because I’d have to lie on a couch.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
I’m reminded of that scene in Woody Allen’s Stardust Memories where aliens visit the town where a film festival is being held. Woody’s character asks them, “Shouldn’t I stop making movies and do something that counts, like helping blind people or becoming a missionary or something?” And, one of the aliens says, “You want to do mankind a real service? Tell funnier jokes.”
That’s kind of what you meant, right?
For our most recent ‘Meet the Staff’ feature, we’ve interviewed Library Secretary, Holly Tuyls. Holly manages a wide variety of tasks here at the Mudd. These tasks include, but are not limited to, assisting in organizing and setting up for many library events, recording the minutes at library meetings, taking care of a variety of paperwork and making sure it gets to the correct department, and spreading cheer and goodwill.
This installment of ‘Meet the Staff’ brings us deep into the hidden recesses of Technical Services, located on the East end of the library building, just beyond the Media Center. There, amidst vast piles of the latest titles to grace the Mudd, you will find Amanda Lee, our Acquisitions Assistant, who orders and receives all of our new materials. She is also available to help faculty assess and improve the collection to better serve the voluminous intellectual needs of the university. This is a hefty task, which Amanda fulfills with grace and aplomb. She’s been known to brave the mean streets of Appleton to painstakingly accrue faculty-requested materials as quickly as possible. Amanda is also a compassionate animal lover; in fact, in lieu of wedding gifts for their recent nuptials, Amanda and her husband selflessly requested donations for the local Humane Association. We are so glad to have this driven, talented Acquisitions expert here at the Mudd.