What Our Members Are Saying: Winnifred Quarshie

Winnifred Quarshie Library Clerk and Technician at University of Alberta and MacEwan University  ARLIS/NA Member Since: 2025

About Yourself and Your Workplace

What do you love about your work?

There is something very rewarding about helping someone move from confusion to clarity, especially when navigating complex academic or digital resources. I have always been drawn to the idea that libraries are not just about resources, but about connection: connecting people to information, to ideas, and sometimes even to opportunities they did not know existed. I also enjoy the behind-the-scenes work of organizing and presenting information so it can be easily found. As libraries continue to grow in digital spaces, I find it meaningful to be part of a field that supports learning, access, and community.

What are you working on now that you’re proud of?

Right now, I am focusing on projects that look at information management, access, and how users interact with library services. One example I am especially proud of is the L-Pass program at MacEwan University Library. As part of this work, I created the layout and structure of the web page, ensuring the information is clear, easy to follow, and helpful to users. This meant thinking carefully about how the content is organized, what users need to know first, and how to guide them step by step through the service.

Working on L-Pass also showed me how important collaboration is in librarianship. The program connects students to services in the wider community, showing how academic and public libraries can work together to expand access. This experience helped me see access as something that grows through working together. I am proud that I was able to apply what I am learning to a real service that clearly and practically supports students, and I value the teamwork involved in making this possible.

Tell us about the kind of library you work in. What do you wish other librarians understood about the kind of library you are in? What makes it great? What makes it challenging?

I work in an academic library that supports students, faculty, and researchers. What makes this environment great is the wide range of resources available and the library's important role in fostering learning and research. I value being part of a space where people come to ask questions, explore ideas, and build knowledge, whether they are just starting or engaged in advanced work. 

One thing I wish other librarians understood is the variety and complexity of user needs in an academic setting. Users are not all at the same level; many are still learning how to find, evaluate, and effectively use information. This means that the library serves not only as a place for access but also as a source of guidance and support. 

However, there are challenges. Many users rely on digital resources, and it can sometimes be difficult for them to navigate systems or quickly find what they need. At the same time, there is a growing demand for services, while time and resources can be limited. This situation necessitates careful consideration of how to make services clearer, easier to use, and more accessible for everyone.

About Your Experience with ARLIS/NA

Who or what inspired you to join ARLIS/NA? What’s kept you renewing your membership after that? 

My interest in art, visual materials, and cultural collections is what first drew me to ARLIS/NA. At the same time, my research focuses on how libraries can support the reintegration of incarcerated individuals into the community. This has shaped how I think about access, not just as providing resources, but as creating spaces where people feel supported, included, and able to reconnect with learning and community. Through this, I began to see how art libraries can also play a role in healing, expression, and personal growth, which further piqued my interest in joining ARLIS/NA. What keeps me renewing my membership is the strong sense of community and the meaningful opportunities the organization creates for students and emerging professionals. 

I was honoured to receive the Wolfgang Freitag Internship Award, which allowed me to gain hands-on experience and deepen my understanding of art librarianship. Through this experience, I met and learned from experts in the field, asked questions, and gained insight into different career paths. It also helped me build confidence and see how my interests connect to real work in the profession. I also value the funding and support available, especially for students and underrepresented individuals, which helps make these opportunities more accessible. The mentorship and connections I have gained through ARLIS/NA have been an important part of my growth, and being part of this community continues to shape my vision for my future in librarianship.

What other professional organizations are you a member of? How does your involvement with ARLIS/NA complement or inform your engagement with those organizations? 

I am also a member of the American Library Association, where I have had the opportunity to engage with its divisions and interest groups. In particular, I have connected with the Association of College and Research Libraries, the Reference and User Services Association, and the Black Caucus of the American Library Association. Through these groups, I have learned more about academic libraries, user services, and how libraries support diverse communities through advocacy and inclusive practices. Engaging with these divisions and interest groups has helped me better understand the range of work within librarianship and the different ways libraries respond to user needs, which I value as ongoing learning and contribution to the profession.

My involvement with ARLIS/NA adds another layer to this experience by giving me a more focused perspective on art librarianship and visual resources. What I have learned through ARLIS/NA, especially around access, representation, and user-centred approaches , is something I bring into my engagement with ALA, its divisions, and interest groups. It has helped me contribute more thoughtfully and connect broader library ideas to more specialized practices. Being part of these communities has strengthened my thinking about librarianship as both broad and interconnected, inspiring my audience to see the value of diverse expertise in supporting users better.

What was the first ARLIS/NA conference you went to, and what memories have stuck with you from that event?

My first ARLIS/NA 53rd Annual Conference was in 2025, and it was a very meaningful experience for me. I appreciated that the conference was held virtually, which enhanced accessibility and enabled me to participate and connect with others across different locations. The theme, Together: Activating Community, really stood out because it reflected the importance of collaboration and inclusion in our work. 

One session that stayed with me was "Collections and Serving Community Beyond the Campus," which focused on how libraries can extend their services beyond traditional spaces and better support communities. That session connected strongly with my own interests in access and community engagement, and it helped me think more deeply about how libraries can reach people in different ways. I hope it inspires others to consider new outreach possibilities. 

What has stayed with me most from the conference is the opportunity to learn from professionals, hear different perspectives, and be part of conversations that felt both welcoming and inspiring. I also valued being able to revisit materials and shared resources after the sessions, which helped me continue learning beyond the conference itself. I believe this ongoing engagement can help others feel more confident and connected in their librarianship journey.

How have other ARLIS/NA members mentored and supported you in your career? What does it mean to you to be a part of a professional community?

Although I am still early in my career, I have already felt the ARLIS/NA community's support and warmth. Members consistently demonstrate a willingness to share knowledge, offer guidance, and create spaces for meaningful discussion. This openness has made me feel appreciated and confident in engaging, asking questions, and learning from others' experiences.

In addition, ARLIS/NA provides tangible support through funding opportunities for internships and professional development. Regional chapters create accessible pathways for involvement, making emerging professionals like myself feel encouraged and motivated to participate, contribute, and grow within the field. The academic and professional resources available through the organization have been especially valuable in supporting my education and deepening my understanding of art librarianship.

Being part of a professional community means having access to a network of individuals committed to both personal and collective growth. It fosters a strong sense of belonging while encouraging continuous learning, collaboration, and the exchange of ideas across different areas of expertise. Being part of ARLIS/NA not only supports my development but also inspires me to contribute meaningfully to the profession in the future.