#SubjectLibrarianSaturday is a social media and blog series highlighting LSU Libraries’ subject librarians, whose job is to help students and faculty with their research at any stage.

Mike Holt is LSU Libraries’ Head of Research and Instruction Services. The responses below have been edited for length and clarity.

What inspired you to become a librarian, and how did you become involved in your current field of expertise?  

Though libraries have been an integral part of my life since childhood, I had never considered that it could be a career until I was in my mid-20s and got a graduate assistantship working in my university’s archives. From the first day I spent in that position, I knew I wanted to do whatever it took to make this my official career. Less than a year later, I had an official staff position in the same department and my library career was off to the races. I can’t thank Deborah Davis, the archivist at Valdosta State University, enough for her help in mentoring me and preparing me for this career path. 

How do you approach research consultations to ensure patrons feel comfortable and supported? 

I know that coming to ask for research help can always be intimidating, so I try to make myself as unintimidating as possible. I always treat every student with kindness, empathize with their problems, and do my best to make sure they get what they need or figure out how to work around a gap in the literature. I always encourage students to follow up with me as well, as building a great relationship with researchers at every level takes more than a single meeting. 

What do you enjoy most about helping patrons with their research and information needs?  

There is nothing more rewarding than helping a researcher find that one key thing that really helps complete that research. This is especially true when it’s an item that is particularly tough to find and get access to. I will go to extraordinary lengths to acquire things that researchers might need, which they always appreciate.

Can you share a memorable experience or success story from assisting a patron with their research project?   

Most recently, I helped a graduate student learn a new citation management tool, EndNote, which their professor required them to use to write their thesis. It has been a long process, with numerous one-on-one meetings while we figured out both the citation management software and a relatively obscure citation style. Getting to help guide them through their writing process to the point that they hand in their thesis and earn their degree was definitely memorable for me! Those are the kinds of interactions that really make librarianship fulfilling. 

Outside of your work as a librarian, what are some of your interests or hobbies?   

Where can I even start with this one? I have so many, but my primary hobby is playing music. I’ve played guitar and bass since I was a pre-teen and I still find a ridiculous amount of joy playing out at venues in the Baton Rouge area or just noodling around at home. I’ve been really focused on improving my jazz playing and improvisation recently and hope I can build up enough confidence to attend some local jazz jam sessions this year.  When I’m not playing music, you can likely find me either attending concerts, playing video games (mostly retro titles), fixing old typewriters, or engaging in the most stereotypical librarian pursuit of all: reading a book. 

How do you stay current with developments and trends in your field to better assist patrons with their research needs?

I’m very active in the American Library Association (ALA) and the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL). I chair the Professional Development Committee for the Reference and User Services Association within ALA, and I stay up to date reviewing all the professional development proposals we receive there. I also enjoy attending library conferences, where I find a lot of the latest information about librarianship tends to be found. I enjoyed the ALA Core Forum annual conference so much, I’ve ended up chairing their conference planning committee this year. 

Contact a subject librarian to book a research consultation and become familiar with the most frequently used library databases and information sources in your specific area of study.