We Are USAHS Library: Dr. Julie Evener, MLIS, EdD

The "We are USAHS Library" series aims to highlight the University Library team and the work they do. This post features Dr. Julie Evener! Julie is the Director of Library Services, based at the St. Augustine Campus.

What are your day-to-day responsibilities at the Library?

My job is to manage the big picture of the library at USAHS: vision and direction, new initiatives, staffing, budget. Day to day, this looks like a lot meetings and project management, including writing proposals and presenting them to different stakeholders.

What was your first library job?

My first paid library job was as a student worker in my undergraduate college library. If unpaid/volunteer counts, it was helping my middle school librarian after school.

What has been an interesting project that you worked on?

Recently it’s been the new Scholarly Skills Community. It was really interesting working with an instructional designer and learning more about the best way to engage learners and build online learning content.

What do you enjoy about working at the Library?

I enjoy making an impact on people, especially innovating ideas or managing ideas that turn into projects that help USAHS students and faculty members succeed.

What is a hidden gem of the Library that you wish more people knew about?

The ProQuest Ebook Central collection is vast and diverse. You can find books in there from cookbooks to graphic novels to health care-related books. I’m always discovering something new.

What are some things on your bucket list?

There are lots of places I’d like to travel.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

I have two young children, so spending time with them is my number one priority. They’ll be grown up before I know it! I also enjoy reading a variety of books, traveling, and being outside.

What thing have you enjoyed reading/watching/listening to recently?

I’ve been reading a lot of nonfiction books this year. Most falling into one of two categories: books about the Black experience in America (e.g. The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson) or books about child development (e.g. The Whole-Brain Child by Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson). I also recently finished a rewatch of the 90s show Kenan and Kel. It holds up – hilarious.

What are five words that best describe you?

Dedicated, motivated, principled, open-minded, organized

What is one surprising thing that others may not know about you?

I love baseball. I’m a Tampa Bay Rays fan and they’ve been treating me well the last few years! I usually play fantasy baseball in a league with my extended family members, and I’m often in the championship.