LI 835XI Martin, Paula - Academic Librarian Interview

I chose to interview Heather Estrada, who is a Librarian at Blue Mountain Community

College Library (BMCC). In the past year, she served as Interim Director and remains as
the Library Cataloger. Heather is also a math instructor at the college. Heather graduated
from Concordia University with her Bachelors Degree and certificate in Education. She
graduated from Emporia State University with her Masters of Library Science Degree in
2007, a part of the SLIM OR 6 cohort. Heather is married and a mother of five beautiful
children, three girls and a set of twins, one boy, and one girl. I worked with Heather at
BMCC from 2005 2013.
The following is an interview which was conducted in Heathers office at the BMCC
Library on Friday, September 11, 2015 at 1:00 p.m.
What is your job like?
Heather said her job as cataloger is lovely. She can set her own schedule, and bring her
babies to work when she needs to. Her job has worked very well for her as a mom, and
lets her stay current in the library world. Presently, she has worked for BMCC for ten
years.
How did this type of work interest you and how did you get started?
Heather had completed her education degree and was working towards a Masters in
Education when her friend suggested library work. Heather took some library classes at
Portland State University, one which was taught by Pierina Parise, Oregon representative
for the SLIM program at Emporia State University. Heather likes numbers and order;

she decided this would be a good fit for her to switch from Education to her Masters in
Library Science.
Do you find your job exciting or boring and why?
Heather laughed at this. All jobs have some boring aspects, like declassifying government
documents, but for the most part Heather loves numbers and the order of things and being
able to catalog. Sometimes she listens to books on tape while working which is relaxing
for her.
What sorts of changes are occurring in your occupation?
Changes have occurred shifting from MARC cataloging to RDA. Heather believes it is a
needed change in order to keep up a current online presence, and a catalog that is
searchable and findable. She said that RDA is much more accessible for people and gives
better explanations rather than so much code like MARC.
How would you describe the working atmosphere and the people with whom you work?
Heather described the staff as being in transition. There were major changes in
directorship and staff. Presently the staff is complimentary and gets along well. With the
new director, new shifts, policies and positions have been added or changed. It will take
some time to adjust, but Heather believes the staff is trainable and willing.
How has your job affected your lifestyle?
Heather believes her job fits into her lifestyle. It allows her to be flexible which as a mom
is just perfect. She feels blessed.
How well did your college experience prepare you for this job?
Heathers college experience prepared her well enough, she believes. She learned
cataloging well from the classroom, and college experience prepared her to be able to
find answers when there was no one to help her with the cataloging when she started.
Still, Heather believes that a huge part of the job is not found in the classroom, but
through just learning the job.
What abilities or personal qualities do you believe contribute most to success in this
field/job?

Being able to work alone and with people

Being able to work with different personalities
Treating people with kindness
An eye for detail and an infinity for numbers and order

What special advice do you have for a student seeking to qualify for this position?

Heather would recommend taking the necessary cataloging and library classes. She also
strongly suggests treating people with respect and kindness will go a long way in creating
a welcoming atmosphere where the staff works well as a team.
I believe my strongest assets are in customer service, library assistant experience of 10
years, working well with students and staff, and working in an academic setting. In
your opinion, where do you think those assets would fit in the library field?
Heather thought because of my library experience and strong customer service skills I
could work in either public or academic settings. She believed that my theatre skills have
also helped to work well with the public. She appreciated that I treat people with kindness
and respect and am teachable also.
I appreciate Heathers words and the time she gave me to conduct this interview. Heather
was also my math teacher at one point in time and I can attest to her well-rounded
abilities to both teach and lead. She is kind and also very knowledgeable and has strength
of character that is calming and encouraging. I greatly respect her wisdom and insight.