Marlene Edge-Phillips
Assessment & Research Librarian
Saginaw Valley State University
The Fletch series by Gregory Mcdonald. I realize that these books are a bit dated, but they are a lot of fun to read and I enjoy the sarcasm, dark humor, and plot twists. Just imagine, "detective noir meets 70s/80s Santa Monica Pier."
What are your research interests?
User needs assessment, usability studies, conducting surveys & focus groups, statistical data analysis, and creating dashboards.
Do you have hobbies or interests outside of the library?
I enjoy traveling with my husband. Our favorite destinations are the US & British Virgin Islands (St. John and Tortola are my favorites). I am an avid cyclist and cannot wait to visit the many awesome trails in Michigan. We recently got a dog bike trailer so our 2 pups can join - Buckley is a maltese-poodle and Bowie is a miniature schnauzer-poodle.
What drew you to the library profession?
True story, I started working at my university library during my sophomore year because my roommate said it was a "chill job" and I could walk there from my dorm. Shortly after I was hired I realized the wealth of resources available for students and I created relationships that lead to life-long friendships and mentors. This was the first time in my life I really felt at home and decided to make it a career.
What do you value about MiALA?
I value the networking and the availability of in-person and virtual resources. I was fortunate to do a lightning presentation at MiALA 2018 and had such a wonderful and positive experience. I look forward to expanding my involvement with the association in my new role at SVSU and to continue collaborating with such a talented group of people.