With the arrival of a new season on campus comes the arrival of a new staff member at the Blough-Weis library: Jennifer Roberts-Reilley, AKA Jenny! Jenny is an open resources librarian who is excited to meet new people, loves reading young adult books, and has had an interesting career in the educational and library fields.
I interviewed her for some insight, and here’s what she had to say.
What is your area of expertise as a librarian? What questions can you answer for students?
Jenny’s expertise is in open educational resources. Her work specifically involves an “open education initiative” for incorporating accessible resources into the faculty’s courses. “That could be even like replacing a textbook with an open textbook,” she explains, “and the difference would be really just the cost… you would go from purchasing something at the bookstore for maybe a few hundred dollars to getting something very similar for free.”
Of course, textbooks are just one example. The initiative spans across a wide range of resources, with the overall goal of equity: for students to obtain quality resources without struggling to pay. “Everybody has their own financial background and financial situation, but this kind of levels that for everyone.”
The eventual goal is to create financial literacy surrounding textbooks. She wants students to understand they don’t always have to buy what they need: resources can be made available in the library or elsewhere.
Jenny also helps with supplemental materials besides what’s required. “If a student is struggling in a class and wants to do some independent studying, I can help them find access to open tutorial materials and things like that.”
Her job includes the typical duties of a librarian—working at the desk, teaching classes, and assisting students—but also working on the initiative. She wants students to know that although her job might technically be a niche focus, that “I’m really here for any of their needs, research-wise.”
Right now, Jenny doesn’t have a subject specialty, given how new she is to the library. However, she does have a background in religion, anthropology, and sociology, and hopes to connect with these subjects or others in the future.
Where have you worked or lived previously, and how did you end up at SU?
Jenny is from Philadelphia area, and has lived in and around there her whole life. She studied religion, anthropology, and sociology at Lafayette College, then went to study library science at Drexel University, graduating in 2008. She started out as a children’s librarian at a public library, reading stories, directing crafts, and running other activities.
After that, Jenny realized she’d always wanted to be a teacher. But this required a teaching certification, so she went to Arcadia and earned her degree.
Jenny started work as a K-12 librarian—she was an elementary librarian for two years, then worked at a high school for 8 years, including running a book club and information literacy classes. However, she chose to leave because she didn’t like directing behavior, which she felt disrupted relationships with students.
Jenny also worked at the University of Arts in Philadelphia for two years, but then it closed unexpectedly. Despite the tragedy for the students and faculty, and that she would’ve happily continued to work there, “when the announcement was made that it closed, I started to dream what could be.”
As she began to focus on what would happen next, she grew excited. Then she saw the SU job posting at the Blough-Weis library.
“At first I was like, that’s so far away!” she says, laughing. But the idea of supporting equity and social justice in the education system drew her towards the job. “The thing I love about being a librarian… is all the things that we work for…and that we stand for… like freedom of information.”
What she loves about the job is working with people who have chosen to be here and who are passionate about their academic interests. She loves assisting people with their research processes by providing them with free information.
What is your favorite book, genre, or author to read for leisure?
Jenny’s go-to genre for leisure reading is romance. But, she adds, “My favorite series… is the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon.” The series is long and very thoroughly researched, but also includes a sweeping romance. “I read them all cover-to-cover, I love them so much.”
“So many other love stories I’ve become obsessed with over time.” She especially loves contemporary and YA works, including Twilight by Stephenie Meyer; Beach Read and Happy Place by Emily Henry; Red, White, and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston; I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson; and anything by Rainbow Rowell. She also loves science fiction and dystopia.
“Do you like the Hunger Games?” I have to ask. Jenny tells me, yes, but she couldn’t finish its prequel, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. “I’ll have to go back and read it… I’m excited, though, to know that she’s writing a new one… I’ve already put it in my cart!”
“Dystopia’s good, but … you gotta have the happy stuff too,” she adds, laughing. “I sort of ping-pong back between the two.”
What’s your favorite part about being on campus so far?
Jenny tells me she thinks the campus is so beautiful, especially the colors of the trees in October. “Coming from an urban campus, where there were zero trees… it’s like so gorgeous here.” She also says she’s noticed how nice the faculty and students are. “I’m feeling really good, friendly vibes from everyone.”
What are you looking forward to in the days ahead?
In the library, Jenny said she is looking forward to “learning as much as I can about open access… so that I create change around campus with the help of students and colleagues.” Learning new knowledge and gaining new experience are what she hopes for in the future.
She’s also looking forward to the upcoming events on campus, including the musical “Jesus Christ Superstar” and Nikole Hannah-Jones in the spring. “I can’t believe she’s coming here, it’s really really exciting… all those great benefits that come with being a college community.”
After going to a SLAC meeting, she says, “I just can’t believe how involved students are with the library… it is really encouraging… it makes me just really happy to be working alongside of students,” whether through SLAC or the library’s student workers.
And of course, she is looking forward to meeting new people on campus. “They shouldn’t be shy and come say hi… I’ll keep my office door open!”
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