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We are USAHS Library: Shaina Berlant, MLIS

Photo of Shaina Berlant
Article Date
October 7, 2021

The "We are USAHS Library" series aims to highlight the University Library team and the work they do. This post features Shaina Berlant! Shaina is the Librarian at the Miami Campus.

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

I handle the operation of the library. I make sure we have enough supplies, handle issues, help everyone who comes into the library, etc.

What was your first library job?

I worked as an intern at a public library. I learned how a library worked, learned how everything is processed, learned what each employee does during their shift, etc. I did each employee’s job for a day and worked at the front desk. It was for high school credit as I ran out of classes to take in my last 2 years due to taking some AP courses in my first 2 years of high school.

What has been an interesting project that you worked on?

There are a lot but I’m really proud of the Scholarly Skills Community project.

What do you enjoy about working at the Library?

I really enjoy helping people, making things easier for other people, and meeting new people. I also enjoy the peacefulness of working in a library. I like that I don’t have to talk for hours sometimes, haha.

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

We have a crazy amount of really helpful online resources. Some of them help with learning new information quickly, some help with research, some provide you with tools you can use to do professional presentations or papers, etc.

What are some things on your bucket list?

Become a pilot (there is an airport by my house but it’s $5,000 just for lessons and they are well known for plane crashes), explore a coral reef in person, own a boat, own an RV, spend a few months camping, etc.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

I help out at an American Ninja Warrior gym. I get to watch and help out at all of the competitions. I get to go to the taping of the show, “American Ninja Warrior” as someone’s guest and have fun. I also garden and go paddle boarding.

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

I just saw the movie Mortal Kombat. The fight scenes were so much fun.

What are five words that best describe you?

Helpful, kind, funny, explorer, and spontaneous.

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

I’m a vegetarian.