American Chemical Society AMA: Hi Reddit! I’m Michael Qiu, Library
Relations Manager with ACS Publications. Ask me anything about being a
science librarian.
Abstract
Hi Reddit! My name is Michael Qiu and I’m the Library Relations Manager
with ACS Publications. In my current job, I am responsible for
developing our marketing, outreach, and engagement programs with
librarians across the globe. Before coming to ACS in 2015, I was a
Science & Engineering Librarian at the University of Southern
California (USC) in Los Angeles, CA. I was the librarian for chemistry,
chemical engineering, materials science, and petroleum engineering. Even
though I no longer work in a library, I stay actively involved within
the library community. I received my Master in Library and Information
Science (MLIS) from UCLA (Go Bruins!) and my BS in Chemistry from Iowa
State University. I’m a native of Iowa, but have bounced between Los
Angeles and Washington, DC, and now have finally settled in Milwaukee.
When I was an undergraduate I learned quickly the importance of the
library and the librarians that help make everything that much easier.
The library is a central hub of information and can be easily
overlooked. Without the library and the science librarians at Iowa
State, I would not have had someone to teach me how to search, retrieve,
and properly use resources or had access to journals, ebooks, and
databases like SciFinder. It really was this connection that helped me
make the leap from chemistry to library and information science. As a
science undergraduate, library school does pose its challenges (there
are no lab experiments and lots of writing), but I encourage everyone to
not overlook this career path. There is a huge need for librarians with
a science background. My time at ACS has also given me a chance to
interact with PhD students through our ACS on Campus program and
librarianship is an alternative career path many are unaware of. Working
as a librarian and in my current job, I have had the opportunity to
interact with so many different people and learn so much. I hope this
AMA gives you the opportunity to ask me a question that you think I can
help answer, or even better, ask a question you don’t know who to turn
to, after all, all librarians love a challenge. I’m excited to answer
any of your questions. Since I won’t be able to answer everyone’s
questions, if I don’t answer have an opportunity to answer your question
here, do not hesitate to reach out to me on Twitter @MichaelatACS or on
LinkedIn. I’ll be back at 12 noon ET (9am PT, 5pm UTC) to answer your
questions. -ACS edit formatting Edit: Good morning (or afternoon)
Reddit! It’s just about 11 am here in Milwaukee, so it’s time to get
answering questions. I’ll be answering questions for the next hour, so
keep the questions and comments coming in. Edit: My hour has come and
gone, but it doesn’t mean the questions should stop. I’ve enjoyed this
so much that I’ll try and come back this afternoon to answer a few more
questions. Otherwise, please do not hesitate to reach out to me via
Twitter or Linkedin (see above). Thanks again to everyone!