What Our Members Are Saying: Anna Boutin-Cooper
Your Name: Anna Boutin-Cooper
Title and Affiliation: Research & Instruction Librarian, Westfield State University
Year(s) of ARLIS/NA Membership: 12 years
About Yourself and Your Workplace
What do you love about your work?
While as a rule I try not to use “love” and “work” in the same sentence, I do enjoy getting to work with students in my job as a research and instruction librarian. Teaching in the classroom can be invigorating, and I especially find enjoyment in facilitating zine workshops for classes and standalone sessions. I’ve been slowly working towards integrating zines more fully into our curriculum and collections, and so far have been able to work with several faculty members in English and the sciences to create zine assignments for their classes.
What are you working on now that you’re proud of?
I haven’t officially started too much work on this yet, but I was recently selected to be a Program Facilitator for ACRL Immersion. Immersion is a fantastic learning opportunity for new-to-the-profession (or new to instruction!) instruction librarians, and I am so looking forward to joining the excellent team and helping shape the curriculum for the program.
What’s one of your favorite new resources that your institution has acquired recently? How have you been able to use that resource already, or how are you looking forward to sharing it with your patrons?
I recently was able to use some remaining grant funds to purchase a set of about fifty zines that I use strictly for workshops, and haven’t been added to our circulating collection. This has been so useful in saving me time for prepping these workshops! I have a three volume set that is my current favorite from this group – A Place Here, vols. 1-3, which we purchased from MCBA. They are beautifully produced zines that feature recipes, and they already were useful as examples for a student who created a zine featuring their family’s banana bread recipe!
About Your Experience with ARLIS/NA
What leadership and/or service roles have you held with ARLIS/NA? What are some skills or other benefits you gained from that service? What advice might you have for others thinking about running or volunteering for a position?
I’ve held a range of roles with ARLIS/NA at the local and national levels, and enjoyed the experiences that each new position has taught me. I have learned valuable skills in leadership, project management, and collaboration. In addition to many other roles, I am currently wrapping up my term as co-coordinator of the Neurodiversity & Disabilities SIG, which I also helped to found. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity and support to create the SIG, which helps advocate and provide space for neurodivergent and disabled art librarians and information professionals to gather in community with each other.
What was the first ARLIS/NA conference you went to, and what memories have stuck with you from that event?
Although I joined ARLIS/NA shortly after starting graduate school, my first ARLIS/NA conference was in Seattle in 2016, just as I was preparing to graduate with my MLIS from Simmons. I was so excited and a little nervous to go to my first professional conference, and I remember being so impressed with the presentations that I saw. Other favorite conferences include New Orleans in 2017 (so much great food!) and 2019 in Salt Lake City. I always cherish the opportunity to meet up with old friends and make new ones at each conference I attend.
If you’re open to being contacted by members with questions, what kinds of topics would you be a good person to ask about? Please share your email address.
I’m always happy to chat about instruction, zine collections (and teaching with them!), and all things fiber arts, as I’m also a practicing artist in addition to my day job. You can reach me at aboutincooper@westfield.ma.edu.