So you want to be an outreach librarian? Spotlight on Erika Johnson

Posted by Jacqueline Leskovec on October 24th, 2018 Posted in: From the GMR, Outreach, Partner Outreach Libraries, Partner Outreach Libraries

Once again we return to the farthest northwest corner of the GMR to great state of North Dakota, where not one but four partner outreach librarians make up the outreach team. Today we spotlight Erika Johnson, Southeast Clinical Campus Librarian, University of North Dakota School of Medicine & Health Sciences.

1. How long have you been in the role of an outreach librarian?
I joined the University of North Dakota outreach team three years ago (2015).

2. How did you get involved in outreach?
Outreach has been assigned to the position I hold for some time. Within two months of beginning my duties as a clinical campus librarian, I participated in my first outreach exhibit at the 2015 North Dakota Library Association annual conference. I was fortunate to work with seasoned exhibitors Marcia Francis and Jacqueline Leskovec. They showed me the ropes and made the experience very enjoyable.

3. What is your favorite outreach project that you’ve done so far?
I can’t name a specific experience, but all of the conference presentations I have done on behalf of our outreach team have been fun. I enjoy the opportunity to share high-quality resources with teachers, librarians, health professionals, and the general public. At various conferences, these audiences have been so appreciative of the new resources I have presented. It is very rewarding to know that I have helped people in their work and in their knowledge of health topics.
4. What outreach activity do you hope to do in the future?

I hope to continue providing training at a variety of conferences. I’m also looking forward to the prospect of offering an Evidence-Based Medicine Training CE to allied health professionals in the Fargo-Moorhead area.

5. What is the one thing you wished you had known before you got started in outreach?
I can’t think of anything specific. I was very fortunate to join an established outreach team that is doing great work. They were able to pull me along from my first day on the team.

ABOUT Jacqueline Leskovec
Jacqueline Leskovec, MLIS, MA, RN (she/her) is the Network Specialist for NNLM Region 6. She is the lead for the Partner Outreach Program (POP), Network membership and user accounts, the Data Reporting System (DRS), and the Region 6 website. She has been with the Network since 2005. In addition to being a health sciences librarian, Jacqueline maintains her license as a registered nurse. She works from her home office in Chicago. She is well acquainted with power tools and will be happy to bore you with details of her many home repair and remodel adventures.

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