CSN Libraries welcomes Ashley Soberanis to the Henderson Campus Library as our new Library Assistant III! Learn more about Ashley below through their interview answers.
1. Tell us about your past experiences with libraries and what brought you to this new role at CSN?
I used to be a student worker myself! I worked at Lied library (UNLV) for about two years before graduating. I was able to land a job with a public library in North Las Vegas not long after. By then, I had known for certain that I wanted to pursue a career within the library industry and had plans to go to grad school for library science. I wasn’t quite sure which sector of librarianship I wanted to focus on, academic or public. After working with the public for a year I ended up wanting to come back to an academic library since I had felt there was much better support and community. One of the librarians here, Ajax, was my original supervisor back at UNLV before he came over to CSN. He’s very much the reason I have the skills and passion to be in this line of work! His vast knowledge and unending encouragement in my academic and professional pursuits are something I look back on constantly, especially since I’m now tasked with supervising students myself! I want to be an incredible role model for every student worker that dedicates their time here, just as he was for me.
2. What’s something about your job that students might not know or realize?
I think one of the most important aspects of my job is that, whether I’m aware of it or not, I am an advocate not only for the CSN libraries, but for the library profession as a whole. I didn’t wake up one day and decide that I was going to study to be a librarian out of nowhere. The reason I was so determined to pursue a career in this industry is because of the amazing experiences and support from the people already in it. My job is not only to teach and support our student workers during their time here, but also to nudge them into considering a legitimate career within the library industry. I think the only way this industry can proudly pass off its hard-fought torches to the next generation of workers is to foster a deep understanding and appreciation for all libraries, academic, public, or otherwise. It’s important to show people that this is an industry worth protecting and serving!
3. What advice would you give to students about using CSN Libraries?
To actually use it!!!!! Use everything!!!!!!!! Everything inside our libraries is for YOU! Even if you just want a nice corner to study, we have it! If we don’t have what you need, don’t be afraid to tell us. Feedback is important to us, and we’ll do everything within our power to make sure you have what you need to succeed.
4. What are some of your hobbies and/or interests outside of CSN?
I love to read, which is a completely unoriginal hobby as a library worker, I know. I just love books so much! My favorite genres are horror and fantasy, but I’m open to reading just about anything (expect romance books I hate them). I also love listening to music and discovering new songs that I can blast in my car on my daily commute or cry about in bed at 2 am. I’m also obsessed with Sanrio characters. I love them all. Every single one of them. I have so much Hello Kitty merchandise that it’s starting to worry my mother a bit. Will I stop collecting? Absolutely not.