My UMR with Mary Beth Sancomb-Moran - Librarian

What is your role at UMR?

I am a librarian. I am in charge of all library and information services for the campus which includes providing materials as needed, helping students with information literacy, reference and research.

Why did you decide to do the work you are doing now?
I fell into it. I have a varied background -- I was in sales and sales management, even a stockbroker at one point. I started in higher education as an admissions and academic advisor. Then I met my prince and he moved me to western Nebraska to a tiny town called Sidney. There was nothing there in higher education, but there was a position open for the director of the public library. The position required a master’s degree, but not in library. I had a master’s in organizational leadership, so I applied and was offered the position. It was then that I realized, “hey, I want to do this when I grow up.” This position led me to earn my Master’s in Library Science. But if you had told my 18-year-old self  that I was going to be a librarian, I would have laughed.

What is one of your favorite things about UMR?
The people!

What is one interesting fact about you that you want others to know about you?
I’m a potter.

What are some small things that make your day better?
I like chatting with people. I like being able to help solve a problem or find something that someone’s been looking for. I love the challenge of reference.

If you could convince everyone in the world to do one thing at one point in time, what would that thing be?
Sing.

What advice do you have for UMR students during their time here?
Get to know as many people as you can -- fellow students, professors, your librarian -- because you never know what interesting stories they have to tell and how that might shape your future.