We Are USAHS Library: Matthew Chase, MASP, MLIS

The "We Are USAHS Library" series aims to highlight the University Library team and the work they do. This post features Matthew Chase! Matthew is the Librarian at the San Marcos Campus.

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

I manage the San Marcos campus library, which comes with a variety of responsibilities. I find cool anatomy models and books for the collections, locate elusive articles through Interlibrary Loan, share scholarly skills and wisdom with students, and support faculty with their research and teaching.

What was your first library job?

I first worked as a page (book shelver) at my local public library. I was assigned specifically to the children's section, believe it or not. My coworkers called me the Jolly Green Giant, even though some kids were known to run away upon seeing me at my full height (I am 6'4").

What has been an interesting project that you worked on?

The Contexts event series has been one of the most best projects I am currently working on. It has been enriching and humbling to engage with the university community when it comes to issues of equity and justice in research. It also gives me a chance to put my sociology background to good use.

What do you enjoy about working at the Library?

I really enjoy the creativity and freedom of the Library, where we have been able to innovate new and exciting initiatives for the university community like the digital care package, the Scholarly Skills Community, and the digital exhibit series.

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

I don't think most students know that they actually can still request articles via Interlibrary Loan even after they graduate!

What are some things on your bucket list?

Traveling to Ireland and Japan, skydiving and bungee jumping (shocking, because I have an intense fear of heights), and chasing cheese rolling down a hill in England (yes, that's apparently a thing).

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

I have been learning to skateboard. I'm honestly terrible at it, and I have already crashed into a fence, but it's been fun. I also enjoy discovering different kinds of music, ranging from heavy metal to synthwave to hip hop.

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

I have been reading quite a bit of literature on critical pedagogy lately, but in terms of fiction, I really enjoyed the Locked Tomb series. It basically has everything I want in a book series. I have been marathoning horror films and shows at the moment, with my favorite new finds so far being The Old Ways and Brand New Cherry Flavor. I've been recently listening to some superb podcasts like The Tower and Folxlore by Tin Can Audio.

What are five words that best describe you?

Quiet, dramatic, random, inquisitive, nice

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

People may be surprised to know I had over 13 inches of hair before I shaved it all off.