Lizeth Ramirez

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Los Angeles
Librarian/Archivist for Los Angeles Communities and Cultures
ramirezlr@library.ucla.edu
When did you start in your current position?:
Mar 01, 2019
Years in LAUC: 
2
LAUC Role:
I am currently part of the LAUC-LA Librarian of the Year Committee at UCLA.

How did you become interested in librarianship?

After earning my BA in Anthropology, I was not sure what I wanted to do career-wise. In the meanwhile, I started working in a library and after learning all about archival work, decided that it was the ideal field for me.

Describe the first time you worked in a library.

My first job in a library was a student while at the University of California, Irvine. I worked in the government information department. It was my first look at the behind the scenes workings of a library.

What is your current or recent role in LAUC, either locally or systemwide?: 

I am currently part of the LAUC-LA Librarian of the Year Committee at UCLA.

What do you like best about being a UC librarian?

The best part of being a UC librarian is working with colleagues who have different types of expertise and are so willing to work with you and share their knowledge.

Describe a recent or current project on which you are working.

I am currently working with UCLA faculty and library colleagues on a project centered on students learning about and building online resources that highlight the history of local communities. The class at the center of the project is titled "Barrio Suburbanism."

Describe your recent professional work outside of work, such as association work, writing, research, or anything else.

I was recently voted in as a Member at Large of the Steering Committee for Latin American & Caribbean Cultural Heritage Archives Section of the Society of American Archivists. We have started to work on webinars and projects for the next year.

What would you like the next big thing in libraries to be?

I do not have one "next big thing", as I feel like there are a lot issues that libraries have to work on. One important one is the question of access, not just in terms of who gets physical access to public, academic, and special libraries, but how we make sure to serve our patrons and the public when so many libraries are closed due to the pandemic. Whose access are we prioritizing and what materials are prioritized when delivering these electronically?

Complete this statement: "One surprising fact about me is...”

My bookshelves at home are totally disorganized. I do not alphabetize my books or organize them by subject. I like a chaos of books.

Can you recommend a book or movie or tell us your favorite book or movie and why?

For anyone who likes reading about the renaissance, I really recommend reading "The Tigress of Forli" by Elizabeth Lev. It is not a new book, but I read it over our holiday break and found it really well researched and interesting. I do not have one favorite book, but I do have a favorite movie - Amadeus. I love how dramatic it is and the music is perfect, huge fan of Mozart.

Please note your website or social media site, if you would like to share

My handle on Twitter/Instagram is @lovelymofo.

Thursday, January 7, 2021