Get to know Karina Cooper, librarian

Karina Cooper

Karina Cooper (MSLIS '23) likes that her job as librarian at the Niels Bohr Library and Archives allows her to explore her interdisciplinary interests and do "a little bit of everything." She credits the iSchool with helping her build a well-rounded skill set and gain valuable hands-on practice, which have helped her succeed in her job.

Where do you work, and what is your role?

I work as a librarian at the Niels Bohr Library & Archives at the American Institute of Physics (AIP). It is a special collections research library related to the history of the physical sciences, which serves as the institutional repository for records of the AIP and its federation of professional Member Societies in the physical sciences. As a librarian, I primarily work with our book collections, specializing in cataloging both general and rare books, and in metadata projects. However, I also conduct reference, outreach, and preservation work with both the library and archival collections. 

What do you like best about your job?

I love that this job allows me to truly explore and utilize my interdisciplinary interests. My undergraduate degree was in classics and astronomy. While I went into library science to combine my interests in science and the humanities, I never thought I would find a job offering practical use for my subject degree. I also like the fact that this job lets me do a little bit of everything. Since our library is small (only seven staff members), there are opportunities for me to participate in different types of librarianship beyond cataloging. This is great because I love reference and outreach as well as more technical projects. 

What do you see as the most important impact of your work?

A core part of my library's mission is documenting the history of the physical sciences for future historians and scientists. Many of our books are donations from the families of scientists, so not only does our collection preserve the texts important to the history of physics, but also the personal libraries of the scientists themselves. Part of my job is processing and cataloging these donations, and I often come across personal notes, marginalia, and fascinating ephemera that bring these books and personal histories to life. Making these collections available to researchers and working with donors to steward the stories of these scientists really imparts our library's unique and powerful role in preserving the history of science and the people who have shaped it.

How did the iSchool at Illinois help you get to where you are today?

I am extremely grateful for the opportunities, experiences, and mentorship that I received at the iSchool, which not only helped me acquire my job but also to thrive in it. The flexible course structure of the MSLIS allowed me to take several hands-on courses, which gave me a well-rounded skill set and valuable practice in a variety of areas. My research and practicum experience in digital humanities with Professor Twidale developed my interest and skills in information architecture and linked data, which has been useful in working on cross-display research projects. In addition, my graduate assistantships at the Grainger Engineering Library and Rare Book and Manuscript Library (RBML) provided me with invaluable skills, experiences, and mentorship, which shaped me as a professional librarian.

What advice would you like to share with iSchool students?

Take advantage of opportunities to get hands-on experience, which really makes a difference when applying for positions and hitting the ground running when starting a new job. The iSchool has a lot of great ways to gain experience and a competitive edge, including assistantships, practica, research projects, internships, hands-on classes, or job shadowing. These opportunities provide extremely valuable learning experiences, since you can explore different areas of librarianship and connect with wonderful mentors.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

Since I now live in the DMV (District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia), I have enjoyed getting to explore the many fascinating museums and special collections that this area has to offer. I also enjoy going to classical music concerts and contra dancing.

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