Getting to Know You Series- Stephanie Harris

Dear Readers, Getting to Know You features interviews with FHSLA members on their roles and thoughts on the field of library science. This month we talk to Stephanie Harris at Advent Health in Orlando, FL. We would love to feature you in our next spot. Please email us at [email protected] for more information. 
-Tim & Janet

Stephanie Harris, MLIS, Research Scientist, Advent Health, Orlando, FL

  What is your current role in the library field?
    I recently transitioned to a research scientist role in the Center for Whole-Person and Nursing Research at AdventHealth. Prior to that, I was an embedded research librarian within those departments. I find that I use my librarian skills and knowledge to inform my job on a daily basis, so although I’m not in a traditional library setting, I still FEEL like a librarian.

 Do you have a specialization or interest area within the library field?
         I particularly love working with nurses and understanding their information needs.

 What is your favorite library resource or program?
          I can’t imagine a day without PubMed!

  What is something happening in libraries now that you find exciting?
       I think that hearing the voices of BIPOC librarians, especially in academia, is a long overdue and exciting trend. A former co-worker of mine who now works at UNLV is deeply engaged in this work and I follow her social media very closely to try to keep my eyes and ears open. (@wonderbrarian). I also think that the ways that libraries have adapted to COVID-19 and changed the models of service just goes to show how adaptable and resilient libraries are. I’m really interested in library service in the COVID world.

 What is a change or innovation you would like to see come to libraries in the near future?
        I think it will be interesting to see how we can maintain the value of “library as place” in the wake of offering so many distance services with COVID. I am excited to see the innovations that come to bring people back to the library physically.

  Do you have any hobbies?
​         I run a very small animal assistance organization in Central Florida. We raise money to help people with sick or injured pets. The goal is to keep the animal at home with a loving family rather than having it surrendered to overcrowded shelters or rescues. It’s my true passion to  help animals and the people who love them. (Follow us on Facebook and Instagram: Family Forever Animal Foundation facebook.com/ffafanimals; @ffafanimals)
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  I am currently reading or would like to read:
          I am currently reading The Alice Network and Children of Blood and Bone.

​You can contact  Stephanie at   [email protected] OR [email protected]

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