What made you choose to become a librarian? 

It's always been something of a vocation for me. I definitely wanted to be a librarian from the age of 18, while working in a library over the summers. I knew that I wanted to be an academic librarian and after earning my degree in French Literature, that I wanted to use my languages. This led me, by a meandering path, to where I am now.

What's the most important thing you've learned during your career?

Personally, I have learned when good enough is good enough - perfection does not exist. Professionally, I have learned when to rely on my colleagues for assistance. I don';t know everything and my colleagues are great resources.

What do you feel is your greatest accomplishment? 

Leading CIFNAL (Collaborative Initiative for French Language Collections) into existence.

If you were starting your career again now, what do you wish you could tell yourself? 

That it's okay to limit the amount of time you work. It doesn't have to be 24/7, even if technology allows it.

Have there been any times in your career when things didn't go exactly according to plan – and if so, how did you solve them and move on?

Oh, yes! And they still happen. Sometimes, it involves admitting that the program or class doesn't match a need and deciding to no longer offer it, no matter how invested you are. Other times, it involves trying to find a different way to meet a need, and evolving as students and services evolve.

Most of the time it helps to ask for advice or help from others.

What one piece of advice would you give to early career librarians? 

That it's okay not to work 24/7.

Are there any useful tips or tricks you would like to share?

Work with your vendors. If you don't tell them what the problem or situation is, they can't solve it. Not that they will always be able to solve it, but at least they'll know it's an issue.

I would recommend joining your local or subject-based organizations; it may seem expensive but the networking is invaluable.

Also - WorldCat is extremely powerful; it's useful to learn how to manipulate it well.

What's the best piece of advice anyone has given you that has helped you to develop professionally? 

To join ALA ACRL subject-related groups.

Are there any resources/websites/professional groups that you use which could help other librarians in their professional development? 

See above - but it depends on the position in which the librarian works.

If you could change one thing to improve the lives of librarians, what would it be?

Increase library budgets!