Elizabeth Stevenson has been with UBC Library since 2015, as a Library Assistant at the David Lam Management Research Library and currently as Circulation Supervisor at Woodward Library. Elizabeth is responsible for overseeing the daily operation and organization of all work relating to circulation services at Woodward, including Interlibrary loans.
Elizabeth enjoys interacting with students, faculty and staff, and creating fun ways to bring people together to build community within the library.
“I love working at the service desk,” says Elizabeth. “It’s so rewarding, being able to help someone—to have the skills to help them with whatever question they bring to the desk. It’s lovely meeting people from all over the world.”
Elizabeth is an active member of the UBC community. She currently co-chairs the UBC Library #ClimateAction Team, and is co-organizer of the UBC Library croquet tournament. She offers meditation classes as part of UBC Thrive, and explores ways to align the Library’s work with the Indigenous Strategic Plan.
Her focus on sustainability and climate change extends beyond UBC. Elizabeth provides admin support for and participates in a Canada-wide community of practice of higher education sustainability professionals with a focus on reducing business-related air travel emissions at their institutions. “With the climate crisis here, huge systemic changes are called for,” she says. “It’s challenging but also exciting to imagine how an organization like UBC or UBC Library can navigate and support change on that level.”
Elizabeth Stevenson and Jessica McKenney at the UBC Library croquet tournament.
One of Elizabeth’s favourite projects while working at Woodward Library was co-leading the re-organization of the Woodward shared drive, a huge project that involved over 30,000 files. “It was a great opportunity to practice project management skills and indulge my love of puzzle-solving.”
Another project that Elizabeth is proud of is establishing a garden at the David Lam Management Research Library outdoor patio with her colleagues. In 2016, her team applied for and received funding from the Healthy Workplace Initiatives Program (HWIP). “Establishing the garden and then carrying it forward, taking care of it – it was wonderful,” she shares. The garden featured a variety of plants including fruit trees, berries and vegetables, and provided an oasis for staff and students.
Fruit from the David Lam Management Research Library garden.
Outside of UBC, Elizabeth is passionate about wellness, meditation and learning how to grow food sustainably. She spends time on Gambier Island, where she and friends are building an off-grid ecovillage.
Her advice to new hires is to follow your passion. “There are so many opportunities on campus to connect with people doing inspiring work! You never know where it could lead.”