I am ACRL Member of the Week

Meet ACRL Member: Kim Pittman

ABOUT

Kim Pittman
Information Literacy & Assessment Librarian
University of Minnesota Duluth
Duluth, MN

Describe yourself in three words

Creative, motivated, strategic.

What are you reading (or listening to on your mobile device)?

I’m currently reading "Americanah" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Next up is "Patsy Walker, A.K.A. Hellcat!", recommended by my ACRL Framework Roadshow co-presenter and comics aficionado Jenny Dale.

Describe ACRL in three words

Collaboration, learning, leadership.

What do you value about ACRL?

ACRL programs like Immersion and Assessment in Action have encouraged me to expand my assessment skills and think about my roles as an educator and instruction coordinator in new ways. I also really enjoy participating in the Instruction Section and connecting with colleagues at ACRL conferences.

What do you as an academic librarian contribute to your campus?

I design and deliver information literacy instruction, working with faculty and librarians to help students learn how to navigate and think critically about information. As the assessment librarian, I gather evidence of student learning in order to inform and improve the way we teach. I also collect and analyze data to help us understand how the campus community experiences our library services, spaces, and collections. And most importantly, I actively contribute to the library’s Giphy channel.

In your own words

I love being a librarian primarily because of the people it brings me into contact with, including students, colleagues, faculty, mentors, and collaborators. Being part of this university and library community inspires and challenges me and connects me with opportunities I wouldn’t have considered possible as a new librarian. More than anything else, the people I work with make my job the most fun!