Wednesday, December 20, 2017
Learn more about the new staff we welcomed to the Library this term:
Jeff Demaine
Bibliometrics and research impact librarian, Library office
Jeff is on contract with the Library until July 2018, working with administrators and faculty to understand the impact of Waterloo's research in a quantitative way. After obtaining an MLIS from the University of Western Ontario, Jeff worked at the National Research Council in Ottawa, a think-tank in Germany, and at the U15 Group of Canadian Research Universities. "The best part about my job is that I feel that my work is valued by the university. Instead of pushing a pencil in a cubicle, I feel that my efforts are actually helping the university at a high level." Jeff enjoys long-distance running, mountain biking and travelling; "I once climbed the highest mountain in Costa Rica, Cerro Chirripo, which is the only place in the world where one can see both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans at the same time (but you have to turn your head really fast!)."
Lauren Doyle
Acquisitions associate, Collection development
Lauren joined our team of acquisitions associates on August 21, where she assists with the purchasing, renewal, and cancellation of resources that make up the library collections. She enjoys the people she gets to work with and finding and acquiring interesting books that faculty, students and librarians want, "which is wonderful as it often adds to my own reading list." Lauren has a Honours Bachelor of Arts (English Literature) from University of Guelph and a Masters of Library and Information Science from Western University. Beyond the borders of Ontario, Lauren "spent some time growing up living in Indonesia, and swam with sharks in the Great Barrier Reef in Australia."
Lathangi Ganesharatnam
IT Specialist/developer, Digital initiatives
Lathangi started on August 2, after working on contract at the Library for some time, and works on the Library's digital initiatives, web sites and other projects. She previously worked at the Perimeter Institute as a software developer. Lathangi says she enjoys working at Waterloo for the "friendly and pleasant culture and coworkers, and I am a big fan of books and love being surrounded by them. Outside of work, I enjoy reading IT books, watching movies, and I love spending time with my family and friends."
Michelle Haugner
Library accessibility services coordinator and AODA consultant, Information services and resources
Michelle Haugner has joined the Library on July 17 on a one-year contract in the role of Coordinator, Library Accessibility Services & AODA advisor. She has a Bachelor of Arts (Communication Studies with a Business Management Option) from Wilfrid Laurier University, and a Masters in Library and Information Science from Western University. Michelle is excited to coordinate the Library’s support services for persons with disabilities and serve as a resource for library staff on AODA related issues. Outside of work Michelle can usually be found in her kitchen cooking & baking, doing yoga, or out for a nature walk.
Kari Weaver
Instructional design librarian, Information services and resources
Kari started as Waterloo's first Instructional Design Librarian on August 30, overseeing the development of online learning objects, and professional development for liaison librarians related to teaching and learning. She has a Bachelor’s degree from Indiana University (English literature and business management), an M.L.I.S. from University of Rhode Island and is currently writing her Ed.D. dissertation at University of South Carolina. "I love my new position because I am able to spend all of my time in the library devoted to teaching and learning. Coming from the Chicago area, Kari has lived in numerous U.S. states; "I naturally have a love of travel, but also love reading, baking, counted cross-stitch, and have a special affinity for shoes."
Graham Yeates
Library office assistant, Library office
Graham began as a permanent staff member on December 1, but has been in the role of Library office assistant on contract since February 2015! Providing administrative support to the Library’s executive team and managers with the daily work flow through the Library Office, Graham says he enjoys the customer service aspect of this role and being the first point of contact for visitors to the Library Office. "My professional background is quite varied, and I studied medieval history at the University of Waterloo. My primary personal interest is being a voiceover actor, narrating short commercial videos, animated features, and phone systems." You can check out some of his voiceover work on his website.
