by Philip Sites
Quick Summary
Get acquainted with our newest Minitex Resource Sharing staff member, Allison Hansen.
Allison Hansen joined Minitex earlier this month as the latest addition to our Resource Sharing team. A recent graduate of Gustavus Adolphus, Allison will be working primarily in support of various locations both on and off campus as well as verification work.
Q: What made you interested in working in libraries?
Allison: I worked in the ILL department at Gustavus when I was a student there, studying music education. While I changed my mind about working as a teacher, I realized that I enjoyed helping and supporting people "behind the scenes," and that I could do that working in libraries.
Q: Can you share a cool/unique library experience when growing up?
Allison: My first experience with Interlibrary Loan was while participating in MN History Day in 10th grade. During a field trip to Wilson Library, I found some books there that I wanted to use again after leaving the library. I went to my public library, hoping they could help me track down the books somewhere closer to home, but they were able to have them sent to me from the U of M. It was because of that experience that, when looking at my options for student employment at Gustavus, I applied to work in ILL. One of those things that makes you wonder how things would have changed if it had happened differently, I suppose!
Q: What do you enjoy most about your new position?
Allison: It has only been a week, but so far I'm enjoying the freedom and flexibility this position offers me. I'm also looking forward to being able to gain more experience working in libraries and exploring my career options.
Q: Things you like to do in your free time?
Allison: I'm a bit of a gamer, with Skyrim and Guild Wars 2 being a couple of favorites! I also enjoy playing with my dog, Sampson.
Q: Do you have a favorite place you've been or a place you'd one day like to go?
Allison: My favorite place I've ever been to is Bergen, Norway, which I got to visit my senior year at Gustavus while touring with the wind orchestra. I would love to one day visit the deer in Nara, Japan.
Q: What is a fun, random fact about you that you'd like to share?
Allison: I play the euphonium (looks like a small tuba, sounds like a trombone) and the bass guitar.
