Q: Can you describe the work you do at the University of Chicago?

Speaking broadly, I support research and learning by helping people navigate our collections, both our vast print holdings and our online resources. Support might entail answering basic questions on our chat service, meeting with a student to dig into potential data sources for their thesis or working with faculty research assistants who have been tasked with collecting data. I also buy books and other information resources in business and economics.

Q: What drew you to this role as Business and Economics Librarian, and how has it changed since you started?

I have a BA in history, but I worked in the business library while in graduate school at the University of Washington. I was fascinated by how different the Business and Economics research tools were compared to the tools we used for history research. Things were just moving online when I started, and many resources could only be accessed in the library at specific computers. eBooks were still in development. Today the information is the same, but so much of it can be easily accessed from anywhere. We now buy about 80 percent of our books as eBooks.

Q: Your colleagues say you have an impressive depth of knowledge about UChicago history. How does your interest in history shape the way you approach business and economics research?

A lot of the researchers I help are doing history, but they may not think of it that way. They frequently want data that may not exist online, and knowing what sources are available is a big part of what I do. Thinking like a historian is helpful when I consider who might have collected something and where it might be preserved.

Q: Do you have a favorite little-known piece of UChicago history that you’d like to share?

The University of Chicago was a leader in the development of microfilm to share rare book and journal collections. The first in-house library microfilming lab was established by Herman Fussler in Swift Hall, where Grounds of Being is now. Fussler went on to become University Librarian and led the planning and construction of Regenstein Library.

Q: If you could recommend one Library resource or database to members of our UChicago community researching business or economics, what would it be?

We have a wealth of resources, and a lot depends on the research question. But since I must choose one, it would be ProQuest One Business. It has resources from all aspects of business and economics, including academic journals, business news, company information and investment research.

Q: What is a memorable experience you’ve had during your time at the University?

I gave a talk on library resources in Robert Fogel’s Demographics and Marketing class. He had won the Nobel Prize fifteen years before that and was still teaching a class at Booth for MBA and College students.

Q: You’ve had a great impact on the University. How has the University of Chicago impacted you?

I have been privileged to work with a lot of very smart people and have learned so much from them. Sometimes I will browse the business and economics collection in Regenstein and consider the work that was done to build it. I feel very fortunate to be able to continue that work.

Q: Beyond your role as Business and Economics Librarian, how else do you like to spend your time?

I’m mostly a homebody, but I also enjoy traveling. I like to cook for my wife, read with our cat and plan our next big travel adventure. I also garden and have been planting native plants to support monarch butterflies but haven’t had any caterpillars yet. Maybe next year.

Q: Is there anything else you’d like to share with our UChicago community, such as a fun fact about yourself or a personal project?

I’m an avid recreational bicyclist and have completed six century (100-mile) rides since moving to Chicago. I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve done Bike the Drive.