Professional Responsibilities
As Reference Librarian I provide reference and research assistance at the Central Reference Desk, as well as through our Ask a Librarian e-mail reference service. I offer library instruction to ENGL 1050, ENGL 1100, Gender & Women's Studies, and other classes. I have trained new students that work at the reference desk. I work with others on the content of our Web site to help our users access the wealth of library resources available. As the liaison, I work with the instructors to select materials for the collection.

Library Instructional Guides and Course-Related Materials

• Biographical Information
• Catalogs of Other Libraries
• Electronic Books & Collections
• English 1050: Thought & Writing
• Englsih 1100: Literary Interpretation
• Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, & Transgender Studies
• Gender & Women's Studies
  
• GWS: Library Resources for Women's Studies
• Library Science Subject Guide
• New and Trial Databases
• News & Current Events
• Quick Answers

• Searchpath - Online library tutorial now replaced by ResearchPath

Committees in the University
International Education Council
University Assessment Steering Committee
-Assessment in Action

Committees in the Library
LibQual Task Force - Assessment
Public Services Council
Web Content Committee

Other Professional Activities
Maira's Library Blog reports on conferences and workshops I have attended beginning in mid 2006.

Research Interests
Research interests include online library tutorials, information literacy and assessment of library services. I have a long-standing interest in libraries and the field of librarianship in the Baltic Countries, especially Latvia. I am currently working on a Baltic Research Handbook.

Publications & Presentations

Educational and Professional Background
Before becoming a Reference Librarian, I worked in the Western Michigan University Libraries as Web Resource Manager and as Instructional Services Assistant. I spent 15 years at the Latvian Studies Center Library here in Kalamazoo, MI, establishing, developing and finally dispersing the largest collection of Latvian materials in North America. The few years between the Latvian Studies Center and Western Michigan University were spent gaining valuable experience at various libraries in the community, including the Portage District Library and Kalamazoo Valley Community College. I have a Master of Library Science from Western Michigan University and a B.A. in Psychology from Cornell University.

Curriculum Vitae