Meet a new Saint Rose faculty member: Connelly Holmes, library

Throughout the semester, we’re introducing our new additions to the Saint Rose faculty.

Connelly Holmes

Title: Assistant professor, access services and instruction librarian

Previous position: Staff assistant, The Research Foundation, SUNY; Museum assistant, Columbia County Historical Society

Education: Master of Library and Information Science, Syracuse University School of Information Studies

Work at Saint Rose:  Management and supervision of the circulation department, primarily with shelving inventory, course reserves, outreach, and other projects as needed. I will also be part of the library instruction team, working closely with the head of instruction and research to help grow the information literacy program for our students.

Academic specialty: While attending Syracuse University, I tailored my courses to focus not only on academic librarianship, but including courses such as accessibility in the library space, cultural competence, and many more that focused on the library becoming a space for engagement and collaborative ideas.

Where are you from and how did you become interested in library science? I am originally from Duanesburg, New York, but completed my undergraduate degree in communication at the University at Buffalo, then went on to complete my Master of Library and Information Science degree at Syracuse University. I initially became interested in library science after working as an undergraduate student at UB in their medical, media, and academic libraries.

Please tell us about your own academic scholarship: While I am not the stereotypical recreational reader, the library significantly impacted not only my grades, but the opportunity I had to research and understand other areas of study.

I try and focus on the humanitarian side of learning and librarianship. It is important that libraries give an accurate representation of information to younger generations. Due to this, I was fortunate enough to be the recipient of the 2022 Antje Lemke Book Award from Syracuse University.

How will you use your work to strengthen the experience here at Saint Rose? I am hoping to help students recognize that the library space belongs to them. It is so much more than a place to read a book and be quiet. It is a place that can connect individuals through the shared goal of gaining knowledge for the betterment of themselves.

Why is the field particularly important for students these days? Information and communication have become so prominent in our everyday life. Communications can be more than just verbal but nonverbal and written alike. It is important that younger generations are equipped with the tools to interpret and understand all messages to help navigate their own thoughts and ideas.

What drew you to Saint Rose? Saint Rose encompasses an intimate academic experience, along with the community goal of bettering their quality of life through the College.

What hobby or interest outside the classroom will you pursue in Albany? I enjoy spending my time in local museums, listening to live music, and exercising. I am also an avid film lover and adore talking anything cinema.