The Highline College Library is excited to welcome Katie Straton into her new role as Tenure-Track Faculty Librarian! No stranger to our community, Katie had worked as a part-time librarian in the Highline College Library since Fall 2018.
Starting this Fall, Katie leads the library's information literacy, AI literacy, and academic integrity activities.
"The Highline College librarians are excited to have a new full-time librarian focused on AI literacy, academic integrity, and information literacy (IL), which is a really important aspect of our work," said Librarian Deb Moore. "Katie brings years of experience working in Washington State community colleges (including at Highline) and a strong knowledge of issues related to AI, academic integrity, and IL to our team. In addition, she has a wicked sense of humor, which is always welcome."
Librarian Monica Twork added that, "with Katie’s hiring, we’re thrilled to expand the library’s capacity to explore AI literacy, academic integrity, and information literacy across the campus. Katie has already developed an amazing AI literacy workshop for STEM101 students. It also helps that Katie is a wonderful, caring human being."
"Katie is awesome at data analysis and has been providing helpful quantitative assessment of reference services," Librarian Hara Brook noted about the many valuable skills and knowledge that Katie brings to the position. "She’s also a valued online instructor in our Library & Information Services program where K-12 teachers take classes towards their Library Media Endorsement," she said. "Katie is empathetic with our students and an all around delightful colleague."
Librarian Karen Fernandez highlighted one of the more hidden but important ways that Katie has made an impact on the library's services and resources during her time. "One of Katie’s significant contributions is her behind-the-scenes work in managing our over 5,000 Assets database in Library Guides," Fernandez said. "Her meticulous attention to detail ensures that all of the underlying links, books, media, and other assets are up to date. She also developed training materials for the librarians in creating assets. Since our Library Guides rely on this foundation, her hard work is critical to maintaining the high quality of the library’s web presence and to providing users with reliable information."
"Katie is smart, and she brings her clear-eyed vision to our team's conversations about how we should work with students on AI and information literacy," said Librarian Ian Porter. "I'm excited to continue to learn from her, and I hope to support her leadership in whatever way I can."
What is the name you would prefer to be called by fellow staff and patrons? How is it pronounced?
Katie (kay - tee)
Tell us more about your background.
I grew up in Puyallup, WA and have called the Pacific Northwest “home” my whole life. There are many educators in my extended family and that certainly influenced my academic path. My husband and I have been married for 13 years and have two sons.
What brought you to the Highline College library? What was going on in your life before you applied to this position, and what led you to apply for this role?
I was working part time at Pierce College and Green River College but had moved back to Seattle after welcoming our first child and was looking for a shorter commute. One of my adjunct colleagues at GRC was working at Highline and told me they were looking to hire part-time positions in the library. I applied and have been here ever since (fall 2018). I continued to work at GRC until beginning my Highline tenure-track position this fall.
I really love working in the Highline College Library. Never have I had such a supportive librarian team who care equally about my personal well-being as they do my professional advancement. There is a ton of interpersonal trust built up in our team and that matters greatly to me. To be able to work here at Highline fulltime is an opportunity I don’t take for granted and I’m looking forward to the years ahead making a difference for our campus community.
Tell us about some of your personal interests. What do you like to do in your free time?
I don’t have many hobbies that don’t involve my family. We enjoy playing sports, watching sports, hiking, playing board games, jigsaw puzzles, and building legos. On my own, I never miss the NYT crossword puzzle.
To me, “fun” is traveling to new places. We have a goal as a family to visit all 50 states and were able to cross off Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee and North Carolina recently. Our focus was on Chattanooga, Dollywood, and the Great Smoky Mountains. Traveling can be exhausting, especially with young children, but seeing their excitement as they experience new things is an irreplaceable joy.
People think "library" and they think "books." Tell us about a book you'd recommend to others and why.
It should come as no surprise that I read a lot of children’s literature and books that perhaps aren’t marketed to children but have that special quality that transcends ages and reading levels. The two books I’ve read recently that I recommend are In Every Life by Maria Frazee and God Got a Dog by Cynthia Rylant. Both, in different ways, examine what it means to be human. Of course, I’m also reading seven different books on AI in higher education. Picture books are always a nice palette cleanser.
Okay, but people often ONLY think libraries = books. What is something you love about libraries that has nothing to do with reading or books?
I love library architecture. I’m fascinated by university libraries that are designed to impress with stained glass, high ceilings, and very old books. I’m likewise impressed by the designs that are more modern and emphasize people over books by incorporating giant commons areas, lecture halls for guest speakers, cozy reading nooks, and dozens of study spaces.
What role are you playing in the library staff? How are you going to be serving students, staff, and/or faculty at Highline College this year/moving forward?
As a state-funded college library, we are open to the entire Highline College campus as well as the larger community. I help anyone who walks through the door. My lead areas as a faculty librarian are information literacy, artificial intelligence, and academic integrity. I support the campus by coordinating the library’s information literacy program as well as serving on the college’s AI Work Group and relevant subcommittees.
Anything else you would like to share about yourself that you would like our campus community to know?
I am eager to work with individual faculty members or even entire departments to talk about how to navigate the ever changing AI landscape as it relates to academic integrity and societal impacts. You can reach me anytime at kstraton@highline.edu or stop by my office (25-415) for a chat.
The Highline College Library is excited to welcome Frann Billy as a new work study student employee who hosts the Reader Buddy Storytime at Highline College.
"Frann was selected as the Reader Buddy Storytime Work Study position because she had an excellent resume and cover letter with all the experience that we were looking for, including: experience working with first-year college students as a College Mentor, an Associates degree in Liberal Arts, and experience working with diverse people in a variety of workplaces," said Associate Dean Library and Student Learning Resources and Library Director Gerie Ventura. "As an AmeriCorps tutor, she even had experience at a public library reading stories to students! Frann has done a fantastic job as our Reader Buddy Storytime lead!"
Frann has hosted the Reader Buddy Storytime on Sundays during Fall quarter. Look out for campus-wide emails about the Reader Buddy Storytime dates during Winter quarter!
What is the name you would prefer to be called by fellow staff and patrons? How is it pronounced?
Tirow and Olomwaay, My name is Frann. Most often people spell it as Fran, but it has two Ns. It’s said how it’s spelled. Fr-ann. Fun fact, my name is a combination of my parents’ names.
Tell us more about your background.
I’m a Pacific Islander, specifically Chuukese and Refaluwasch. I was born and raised in Saipan. Saipan is one of the islands in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. We are a U.S. Commonwealth. This is my first time traveling outside my home in the CNMI and I’m here to pursue an education in healthcare.
What brought you to the Highline College library? What was going on in your life before you applied to this position, and what led you to apply for this role?
I have worked in a library before, and I love the environment. I have seen how dedicated library staff are to helping enrich the community and providing a safe space for students, and I love being a part of that. When I moved here and I saw the opening for the work-study position, I thought “Hey, Why Not?” And I’m really enjoying it so far.
Tell us about some of your personal interests. What do you like to do in your free time?
In my free time, I love to listen to music, karaoke, cook, and most recently have been trying to explore more of what King County has to offer. Recently my roommates and I went exploring and while we were on the bus, excitedly awaiting our destination, one of my roommates told me we accidentally got on the wrong bus. I’m still new to the public transportation system here so I was nervous. We were far into Kent when we realized what happened and had to troubleshoot and find our way back. We still made a good day out of it, and it was a bonding experience for us.
People think "library" and they think "books." Tell us about a book you'd recommend to others and why.
This is a book that originally started as a course requirement to read, but it helped me to grow an appreciation for nature and all the tiny creatures that roam the Earth floor. The book is “Tales of the Ant World” by Edward O. Wilson. When I read it, it painted ants in a brighter light. I always just saw them as a nuisance for going after my food or crawling on my feet. This book humanized them in such a way that I’m now more interested in asking why they do what they do and how do it contribute to supporting their ecosystem or ours.
Okay, but people often ONLY think libraries = books. What is something you love about libraries that has nothing to do with reading or books?
I love that it’s also an environment that encourages success. There are resources everywhere around libraries that are not only in books. There are library staff who are there for assistance, in the Highline Library we have study rooms to help people have privacy to study, we have anatomy models for our future healthcare professionals, ADA accessible technology and spaces, printers, calculators, etc. Libraries have a deeper purpose than to be just the place for books to be held in and borrowed from. Libraries can be your home away from home.
What role are you playing in the library staff? How are you going to be serving students, staff, and/or faculty at Highline College this year/moving forward?
As a library staff member, I’m here as a reader buddy for the Highline Reader Buddy Program that we host on Sundays. I do promotion fliers, video editing, and reading for the program. The videos are posted on YouTube for anyone that would like to check it out. I also work to be a helping hand for fellow students operating computers, printing, borrowing resources, and more. I try my best to be another welcoming presence in the library and to be helpful wherever I can be. I hope to work in the library as long as I can because, like I said, I am really enjoying myself here and I like how much I interact with new people every day and all the library staff.
Anything else you would like to share about yourself that you would like our campus community to know?
I’m always open to having a conversation with people but might not be the first to start it. I’m always open to talking and learning about things from others that I’ve never heard of before. I love to learn about people’s cultures, experiences, or even hobbies outside of school. I also love to talk about my culture and personal experiences with others. Always feel free to start up conversations with me in and out of the library, I would be happy to get to know you.
The Highline College Library is excited to welcome Melody Ovando as a new Circulation Staff member!
“Melody was invited to join the circulation team due to her excellent communication skills,” said Cathy Campbell, Circulation Staff Lead. “She possesses the specific skills and work ethic that allows her to contribute to the library mission.”
What is the name you would prefer to be called by fellow staff and patrons? How is it pronounced?
Fun fact! I go by my middle name. It’s pronounced Melody [meh – lo – dee] .
Tell us more about your background.
I was born in California and spent the majority of my life there up until recently when my family and I moved to Washington in April. As such I’m extremely unfamiliar with Washington and if you mention a city outside of King County to me you’ll probably be getting a blank look.
What brought you to the Highline College library? What was going on in your life before you applied to this position, and what led you to apply for this role?
I’m currently attending Highline to get an AA in Psychology with the goal of becoming either a masters in Counseling or Industiral Organization Psychology. I like keeping busy and needed a job and so my job hunt began!
As a kid, my grandpa used to bring me to libraries to get books and so I’ve loved them for a while! When the opportunity arose, I couldn’t help but apply.
Tell us about some of your personal interests. What do you like to do in your free time?
I like to spend most of my free time either training or playing with my puppy, Mozzie, hanging out with friends, reading a book or webnovel, or playing video games. I also occasionally dabble in digital art.
I was recently training Mozzie to leave things he finds on the floor alone when I tell him to. It’s a pretty crucial skill to make sure he’s not picking up or eating anything dangerous. He can be kind of goofy so it’s entertaining to watch him puzzle through what I want or fight with his self-restraint.
My brother walked by and saw what I was doing and started bragging about how his dog didn’t even need to be trained and at the call of her name would simply come away from anything. Naturally, I told him that Mozzie was making great progress and my brother could test it out with a piece of bread. And so my brother grabbed a scrap of white bread, showed it to my dog and threw it some distance away.
The words weren’t even halfway out of my mouth before Mozzie was upon it. He ate that tiny piece of bread like he had never seen food before. It was pretty funny to be honest. We tried again though and he froze the second I told him to leave it. Needless to say though, he still has a ways to go with his training.
People think "library" and they think "books." Tell us about a book you'd recommend to others and why.
I think the Hunger Games trilogy is a fantastic piece of fiction. Katniss has a riveting and at times hilarious internal monologue and overall Suzanne Collins does a wonderful job of using the first person narrative to it’s fullest potential. She made some truly interesting characters and a fascinating plot. I personally think Mockingjay is the best book in the series and it was absolutely butchered by its movie adaptation. It’s a great commentary on war and what it does to people and has some really good plot lines.
Okay, but people often ONLY think libraries = books. What is something you love about libraries that has nothing to do with reading or books?
I really love the general vibe of libraries. Not always quiet, but still cozy and chill. They're a great place to study in, hang out with friends, or just chill out! They’ve also always evoked a little sense of awe in me. I guess it technically also has to do with books but there’s so much knowledge in the world and libraries are something of a physical manifestation of that! What’s not to love?
What role are you playing in the library staff? How are you going to be serving students, staff, and/or faculty at Highline College this year/moving forward?
I’m working as Circulation Staff! You’ll probably find me either shelving books, keeping the library tidy with floor walks, or working at the desk helping to answer questions and check out various items. I’m happy to help however I can!
Anything else you would like to share about yourself that you would like our campus community to know?
I love talking with people! I've been told I can seem a little intimidating to approach but I promise I’m more than happy to converse with you! I love hearing and learning about people’s interests, cultures, ideals, everything! If you’re ever bored and spot me around, feel free to say hi and strike up a conversation!
The Highline College Library is excited to welcome Wai Lin Tun as the new student Tech Tutor, stationed at the Ask Desk on the main (2nd) floor of the Library!
Wai Lin comes to this new position with great experience, said Kelly Aiken, Lead Tech Tutor and leader of Digital Literacy initiatives on campus.
"While I would love to take credit for bringing Wai Lin to the library, all gratitude goes to JaeLeesa Smith at the Academic Success Center," Aiken said. "Wai Lin also works there as a tutor and JaeLeesa knew we were looking for somebody to help out as a tech tutor, so she suggested he might be a good fit. And she was SO right! Wai Lin has the best vibes, is super knowledgeable, and has been a celebrated addition since the moment he started. We are lucky to have him!"
What is the name you would prefer to be called by fellow staff and patrons? How is it pronounced?
I prefer to be called by my first name “Wai Lin” or you can call me “Lin." It is pronounced like “Way Lin”
Tell us more about your background.
I am international student from Myanmar, and my background is mainly centered around technology. I am studying cybersecurity and I love defending systems and computer networks from cyberattacks. I also have a few years of work experience in the cybersecurity field from when I was in my home country.
What brought you to the Highline College library? What was going on in your life before you applied to this position, and what led you to apply for this role?
I was working as a computer science tutor at the Tutoring Center, and I really enjoyed helping students. I wanted another job where I could learn and support others. When my supervisor told me there is an opening at the Highline College library, I saw the position as a good opportunity to grow and to work in a calm and welcoming environment.
Tell us about some of your personal interests. What do you like to do in your free time?
I love playing video games, watching movies, and listening to music during my free time. I also enjoy hiking when the weather is nice. Recently, I went hiking to Snow Lake with my friends. The view on top was breathtaking. We sat there for a while, talked, and enjoyed the nature.
People think "library" and they think "books." Tell us about a book you'd recommend to others and why.
One book I recommend is Psychology 2e from OpenStax. It’s free and easy to read. The book explains many interesting topics, like how the brain works, why we think and feel the way we do, and how people behave in groups. I like it because it gives clear examples and helps you understand psychology without being too complicated. It’s a great resource for anyone who wants to learn more about the mind and human behavior.
Okay, but people often ONLY think libraries = books. What is something you love about libraries that has nothing to do with reading or books?
What I love about libraries, besides books, is the calm environment. It’s a quiet place where I can focus and relax. I also like that libraries offer helpful tools like computers and printing. They bring people together and make it easy to learn new things.
What role are you playing in the library staff? How are you going to be serving students, staff, and/or faculty at Highline College this year/moving forward?
As a tech tutor, my role in the library is to help students with technology. I will assist people with computer questions, software issues, and basic tech problems. I want to make technology less stressful and more accessible for everyone. My goal is to support the campus community whenever they need tech help.
Anything else you would like to share about yourself that you would like our campus community to know?
I like helping people and working with others. I enjoy learning new things and meeting new students and staff. I am always happy to answer questions or offer support whenever I can.
Starting this Fall quarter, Highline's new Reader Buddy and library staff member Frann Billy has hosted a weekly, themed story time session on Sundays at 3pm in the library and on Zoom.
Frann has been reading selected books from the Highline College Children's Book Collection.
You can view past Reader Buddy Story Times on our YouTube channel, and look out for Reader Buddy Story Times again in the Winter!
Library staff had fun hosting a table at the Building 25 Open House this Fall quarter where we got to share all the great resources and services we offer!
The Highline College Lbrary is always interested in promoting mindful information and media literacy in support of students!
We were pleased to host a table with books and resources about the topic at the Center for Cultural and Inclusive Excellence (CCIE) event Informed & Empowered: A discussion about Politics & Media Literacy with Leona Oliveros and Dra. Maribel Jimenez on Tuesday, October 14th.
Coordinated by Monica Lemoine, English faculty, and Librarian Karen Fernandez, the Highline Faculty & Staff Book Club met once in November. Eight people from across campus and faculty/staff in different departments attended. We had one large discussion and discussed several titles. The Book Club plans to meet in Winter and invites everyone to both.
The Library was proud to host a table at Highline College's 16th Annual Black and Brown Male Summit, held on Saturday, November 15th. Library staff had great conversations with Summit attendees about their favorite books and movies, and we got some great recommendations for books to buy.
On November 20th, the Library loaned books of poetry in English and other languages to the International Poetry Open Mic event, sponsored by Global Programs and the National Poetry Month committee.
Attendees were invited to read a poem in English, another language, or both.
Attendees included Highline College students, faculty, and staff, as well as some community members, including Korean poet Maija Rhee Devine, who read some of her own poetry.
Librarian Deb Moore is moving into a new role in the library as the Open Educational Resources (OER) lead.
Deb is available to collaborate with anyone interested in OER (learning more about OER, finding and evaluating sources, open licenses, creating your own OER, etc.).
Check out the library’s OER library guide for more information on OER, and contact Deb if you’d like to collaborate.
Support and training for basic classroom technology skills continues to be available from the library’s Tech Tutor, and is now also available at the Hub in Federal Way on Wednesdays!
Drop-in help is available in the library Information Commons, Monday through Thursday from 9:00am to 2:00pm, or at the Hub on Wednesdays from 3:30pm to 6:30pm.
Students can also make an appointment or find more information at https://digitalliteracy.highline.edu.
The Chronicle of Higher Education was cancelled due to inflation costs. It will no longer be available after Dec. 1. However, individual articles in the Chronicle of Higher Education are available in the library databases, see the EBSCOhost record with a one-month embargo/delay. If you need a copy of newer Chronicle articles, you can order them through Interlibrary Loan. If you need help finding articles, please reach out to the reference librarians (refhelp@highline.edu).
Westlaw database was recently cancelled because the paralegal department switched over to a new AI legal research tool that requires individual accounts for the students. Instead, here's a list of other legal databases and resources. If you or your students need help with legal research, please reach out to the reference librarians (refhelp@highline.edu).
A couple of recommendations from Library staff for a good Winter break read.
Katabasis by R.F. Kuang. Imagine if the hero of Dante’s Inferno was an overachieving graduate student seeking her advisor in the underworld. A darkly funny dissection of power and privilege in academia, and a meandering journey of self-discovery through Hell.
The Wilderness by Angela Flournoy. A sweeping and overstuffed novel featuring five Black women finding their places in the world. Recommend listening to the audiobook version, read by Flournoy and her own childhood friends.
Do YOU have suggestions for future library newsletter content or interviews? Let us know at refhelp@highline.edu 