I had a chance to interview Nandi Prince, our new Instruction and Reference Librarian. Many at City Tech have known Nandi as she was an adjunct reference librarian before starting as a full-time library faculty member. Here is what she had to say.
What is your academic and library background?
I hold a BS in hospitality management from New York Institute of Technology; an MLIS from Queens College and an MA in English. I started in public libraries and transitioned to academic libraries. City Tech is my third academic experience. I served as a reference librarian at St. Joseph’s College and taught a health and information literacy course to students at Philips School of Nursing at Mount Sinai Beth Israel.
What made you want to become a librarian? Was there any event or person that influenced you?
My love for reading as a child contributed to my love for libraries. The local library was the place to obtain a free book in whatever series I was reading. I like helping people, connecting people’s informational needs to the best resources is personally gratifying.
What will you be doing at City Tech Library?
Teaching Information Literacy Instruction classes to students and providing in-person and online reference services are my primary responsibilities. As a subject specialist, I have responsibility for our collections in nursing, Latin American Studies and ESOL [English for Speakers of Other Languages]. Coordinating QuestionPoint, the library’s 24/7 reference online chat service, is among my charges. The ways in which people seek information has changed and City Tech has adapted to this. I am committed to serving our virtual users. In addition to reference and collection development work, I chair the library’s Workshop Committee which, plans, coordinates and delivers many learning opportunities for students, faculty and staff. View our current offerings by visiting the library website for workshop dates and times.
What were your first impressions of life at City Tech? Were there any surprises?
The spirit of collaboration was uplifting, and everyone seemed to like their jobs. The students are very appreciative of the staff. I am surprised at student’s polarizing perspectives on e-books.
What are your goals for the next few years as a librarian?
Student success is important to me. My intentions are to continue to incorporate emerging technology into instruction to improve student’s learning. I plan to teach one or more semester-long LIB course, in addition to one-shot sessions. Additional plans are to continue research in my areas of interest.
What are your research interests? Are you working on any research projects now?
My research focuses on (1) works of dramatic literature and (2) library instruction. I am presently writing an article that explores how the novel Native Son by Richard Wright explores turmoil in society. My library research focuses on critical and reflective practices that improves models of library instruction.
What are your pop-culture go tos…music, movies, tv, or books?
Artists this week are: Adele and Morgan Heritage
The Star War series is somewhere at the top of my favorites.
All the Light we Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
What book (or other source) would you recommend to others from City Tech Library’s collection, and why?
I would recommend our Latin American collection because it gives insight to the history of indigenous peoples as their social culture continues to be marginalized.
