Meet Kate Langan - September Member Spotlight



Kate Langan
Humanities Librarian
Western Michigan University

MiALA Vice President - President-Elect
 
What are you currently reading?
I mostly listen to audiobooks that I access through Kalamazoo Public Libraries. I get the most listening done while walking my two dogs every morning before work. My preferences have leaned towards autobiographical works by women in politics; Hilary Clinton, Condaleeza Rice, and Madeleine Albright to name a few. Oh, I guess I should have said former U.S. Secretaries of State. :) Actually reading is reserved for short stories by Borges and Calvino. 

What are your research interests?
For research, I am currently reading anything to do with philosophy of information and connecting the philosophical works of Wittgenstein on the naming and labeling of information. Another aspect of this is looking at bias in the labeling of information and how that connects to the information literacy classroom. 

Do you have hobbies or interests outside of the library?
I am a figure skater and belong to an adult synchronized skating team with the Greater Kalamazoo Skating Association. During the summer, I am at the lake waterskiing and trying to make it through that slalom course. 

What drew you to the library profession?
My career path has always been academia. After a few degrees in French Literature I realized I enjoyed the researching more than synthesizing. Teaching has always been a great joy and I knew that when switching over to academic librarianship, I would to focus on public services, particularly research support and instruction.

What do you value about MiALA?
Mi-ALA provides connectedness and an alignment of our professional pursuits that is more intimate than what we can find at the national level.

Is there anything else that you would like to share?
I am a mom to 4; one at WMU, one at K College, one in 9th, and one in 4th). I am a transplant to Michigan byway of many states and countries. Since 2009, I call Kalamazoo home.