Member Spotlight - Emily Gilbert
October 17, 2022
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This week's member spotlight is on Emily Gilbert. Emily is an Assistant Professor and Liaison Librarian at the University of Illinois Chicago and the Immediate Past President of the Illinois Association of College and Research Libraries Forum (IACRL). She is also the current chair of the IACRL Awards and Nominating Committees. We asked Emily to tell us a little bit about herself and answer a few professional and amusing questions. Continue reading to find out more about Emily.
A little background on Emily
Emily Gilbert is an Assistant Professor and Liaison Librarian at University of Illinois Chicago, where she provides library support to the College of Medicine. Her own research focuses on anti-fatness in academic libraries. Emily currently serves as the Past President of IACRL, chairing the forum’s Awards and Nominations Committees. She has served as a trustee at the Schaumburg Township District Library since 2021, and she loves the insight this gives her into public library operations. Emily lives in the Chicago suburbs with her husband, daughter, senior dog, and a collection of too many art supplies. In her free time she enjoys being creative through bullet journaling, writing, or painting.
How did you get your start in libraries?
I was a frequent library user throughout my childhood and young adulthood, but I didn’t even know that LIS existed as a field of study. While scanning jobs after college, I saw a position that required an MLIS, and when I looked it up I realized it was what I wanted to do for my career, so I immediately started looking into library school.
Best advice you've received since starting your career in libraries?
If you can safely do so, it’s a good idea to be open about all of your identities, especially the ones that people can’t see. I am a cis woman married to a cis man, so a stranger looking at my family would probably assume that I am straight. But being transparent about my bisexuality has brought me camraderie with other queer librarians and support from queer groups.
Any advice to newcomers working in libraries?
Put yourself out there! Networking sounds scary, but I promise it’s not so bad. Joining committees can connect you with so many other library workers, and it will give you experience that can help you throughout your career. It also makes attending conferences more fun if you are willing to talk to strangers!
When and why did you become a member of ILA?
I joined in 2017 because I was interested in getting to know more Illinois academic librarians. At the time I was working for a college with a completely digital library, and all of my colleagues were out of state. I wanted to connect with other people in my area who could relate to my experiences.
How has being a member of ILA helped you professionally?
I have shared best practices back and forth with people I met in Illinois academic libraries, and it broadened my perspective and helped me get to know people who worked in other types of libraries. Also, having more connections in the field truly can lead to more opportunities! I was nominated to run for IACRL Vice President/President-Elect, and I learned so much by serving in those roles. And I wasn’t even job hunting last year when someone I knew through IACRL reached out to tell me about this position at UIC–I applied on a whim with zero expectations, and I couldn’t be happier in this role.
What is your proudest professional achievement to date?
I was selected for this year’s cohort of research fellows in the Medical Library Association’s Research Training Institute, and so far it has been a wonderful experience. I’m thrilled to have an opportunity to learn advanced research skills as I begin my journey toward tenure at UIC. I’m about halfway through the didactic work, and now I’m actually starting to put together my first research paper–exciting stuff!
Hardcover, paperback, e-reader, audiobook, or all?
Hardcover or paperback! I don’t know why, but I like the sensory experience of holding a book in my hands.
Favorite author?
Currently I am loving Casey McQuiston and her excellent queer romances.
If you were stuck on a deserted island, what five books would you bring with you to pass the time until being rescued?
- The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova
- Plain Bad Heroines by Emily M. Danforth
- And the last three books in the Queen’s Thief series by Megan Whalen Turner that I haven’t read yet!
Cat or Dog?
Dog! I have a ten-year-old lab/coonhound mix named Lana.
Favorite film, podcast, or television show?
Can I do all three? Before Sunset is my favorite film, hands down. I listen to so many podcasts, but Maintenance Phase stands out for its brilliant takedowns of diet and wellness culture. And my current favorite show is Our Flag Means Death, which is delightful and has a lot of great queer representation.
One person you would like to meet, dead or alive why?
I would love to meet Renaissance painter Artemisia Gentileschi because I find her so inspiring and I love her work. I haven’t seen any of her paintings in person yet, but I hope I can stop by the Detroit Institute of Art next year when I’m in town for MLA to see one of them!
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