Meet Katherine Kalsbeek, Head, Rare Books & Special Collections at UBC Library

Katherine Kalsbeek has been with UBC Library since 2004 and is currently the Head, Rare Books & Special Collections (RBSC).

Shortly after graduating from the UBC School of Information, Katherine started working at UBC Library as a Reference Librarian in RBSC. “Being able to enter into librarianship right after graduation was really appealing, but I also felt a very strong connection to UBC because I did my undergrad at UBC, my Masters at UBC… in fact, I got married at Cecil Green Park House.”

A few years later, she landed the role of Acting Head of RBSC, eventually becoming the Head in 2016.  “It’s really interesting to work in an environment where I was a student and now I’m a faculty member and the head of a department. It’s been an interesting evolution, and very rewarding.”

One of Katherine’s many highlights of working at UBC Library was bringing the Hanne Wassermann Walker Collection to UBC. “When raising money for collections like that, a hundred thousand dollars, might as well be a million dollars. They’re both almost inconceivable numbers to think about and how to strategize to find the funds required to buy a collection like that.  We really had to think outside the box and form new relationships to be able to purchase that collection.”

There’s never a dull moment at RBSC when it comes to acquiring new collections. “Every year we’re building upon the collection and supporting the research and teaching of the faculty at the University in very focused ways, and our level of engagement with faculty is very high,” she shares, “We engage with faculty in the areas you would traditionally expect, like English, History, and Asian studies, but we also have been forming relationships with faculty in the Department of Medicine and the Sciences. We’re always trying to find new ways in which to engage with our community both at UBC and beyond.”

In addition to building the collections, acquiring materials and doing traditional things that you might associate with rare book librarianship, the RBSC team is also responsible for ensuring that the mechanics of the operation are functioning properly. “Every single person on the team feels a deep responsibility to ensure that the collections are used, but also kept safe. As stewards of the collection we feel that our roles are very important – we’re always focused on temperature, humidity, the environment, and balancing the conservation needs of the collection with the demand to use these collections. It takes a team to ensure the collection is being used in a careful way and stored in a very safe way.”

Katherine’s advice to new UBC Library hires is to take advantage of every opportunity that’s offered and to build your network. “Be curious, ask questions, Be humble. Take advantage of as many learning opportunities as you can both formal and informal. Build up a network of people within the community such as librarians in different areas and other universities. Building up a professional network of people you can consult with and engage with.”

Katherine enjoys spending her free time reading and traveling. “I love to travel with my husband. We love Jamaica in particular…We love the culture there and the people we’ve met. If I could be anywhere, it would be Jamaica.” She also likes spending time with her energetic rottweiler, Akila, who may or may not jump in on an occasional Zoom call.

Learn more about UBC Library’s Rare Books and Special Collections.