Caitlin Lindsay joined UBC Library in 2022 as the Art Librarian (term) and has been the Access Services Librarian for one year. In this role, she is responsible for ensuring effective and consistent operations regarding circulation, physical course reserves, patron account management, overdue material, physical collections maintenance, and identity and access management.
Prior to coming to UBC, she spent some time working in archives and records management, which included acting as an Archival Consultant and Records Clerk for the City of Richmond, as well as three years as a Librarian at Alexander College. In the year and a half between her Art Librarian contract role and her current role at UBC, she worked at Richmond Public Library as an Adult & Senior Services Librarian.
From Art to Access Services
One of the most interesting parts of her career at UBC Library was the opportunity to interact with Arts students and learn more about the artists they were researching.
“In my role as the Art Librarian I loved getting to learn more about artists from student research questions and collections projects! It was particularly fun to be involved with the 2023 Art + Feminism Wikipedia Edit-A-Thon, where I got to do some deep dives with students into several Iranian artists as part of the process of creating Wikipedia pages for them.”
As the Access Services Librarian, Caitlin receives a variety of interesting questions related to access from students, staff, faculty and community members.
“UBC has a vast network of researchers using library materials, and delving into access questions allows me to better understand just how many user groups rely on library materials for their research,” says Caitlin. “We have high-school students, partnerships with local entrepreneurs, specialized health-care programs, community knowledge holders, and so many others all conducting research with the library’s resources. Diving into different access questions allows me to become better acquainted with the range of programs and user groups attached to UBC.”
One of her favourite projects while working at UBC Library was updating hold periods so that all library materials are held for the same amount of time, across all branches. She is currently working on a variety of projects that range from ongoing and iterative work related to access decisions and documentation, to larger projects such as preparing for a new Library Management Platform (LMP).
A place to grow
Of the Library’s six aspirational values, Caitlin says Growth and Appreciation best describes her experience as an employee.
“My team members have gone out of their way to celebrate each other’s achievements,” she says. “I have also noticed a strong focus on growth in UBC, particularly as a new employee; in my role, I have been lucky enough to have multiple colleagues reach out and set up regular meetings in order to provide space for questions or to talk through access considerations. Having those folks take time away from their packed schedules to make space for those conversations is really meaningful!”
Caitlin appreciates the career growth opportunities at UBC Library while working in different roles. “UBC has allowed me to step into roles in a large institution with a lot of complexity; the access environment is wide-ranging and ever-evolving. A career at UBC offers the opportunity to continuously learn and grow.”
Her advice to new hires is to connect with other new employees, including through the “New Libs” group, which she credits as a great place to ask questions and make connections.
Outside of the Library, Caitlin enjoys hiking, biking and running. She also enjoys knitting and is working her way up to more complex knitting projects.
Learn more about working at UBC Library.