Today there were very positive signals that I will be the next Manager of Education and Information Services at the University of California, San Francisco's Library and Center for Knowledge Management. There are lots of details to work out before an offer is officially made, but I hope to start sometime in August. My interview at UCSF two weeks ago went very well, and I know this will be a great opportunity.
At NYU for the last several months, I've been the leader of the Public Services team. This work has involved ensuring that core Public Services functions run smoothly; assisting with training our library school intern; coordinating the recruitment for open positions; and organizing two successful team building retreats. That is an excellent foundation to build on at UCSF, which is also filled with talented and dedicated people.
When I began working as a health sciences librarian in 2002, a common question was, "What do you want to do with your career?" I would blithely respond, "library director" without any idea of what this actually involved. As time went by, I had the fortune to work on many interesting projects and become very involved in MLA. But I did not really have the opportunity to assist librarian colleagues in developing their strengths and in figuring out how to match those strengths to the needs of the larger library and (ultimately) to the institution.
To me, this is the purpose of library management. My restlessness with my chosen profession over the last year has been because this opportunity was missing. Now it is here, and I am both grateful and energized. I've never been so excited to be a librarian.
Marcus, Congratulations! Great news - UCSF is great library and it sounds like a super position. I expect to hear great things out of there once you settle in.
Posted by: Jane | June 16, 2007 at 07:10 PM
I agree with Jane--way to go Marcus!
Posted by: Wevbo | June 17, 2007 at 07:39 AM
Congratulations!!!
Posted by: Cynthia | June 17, 2007 at 04:38 PM
Marcus,
All the pieces are falling into place - congratulations. Will you leave behind health librarianship?
Dean
Posted by: giustini | June 17, 2007 at 10:21 PM
ps. I see that this position is leading a group of health librarians. I'm happy for you, Marcus.
Posted by: giustini | June 17, 2007 at 10:26 PM