#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.

Marty Miller is LSU Libraries’ Art and Design Librarian. The responses below have been edited for length and clarity.

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

I like to do my own research on the topic beforehand to help the consultation go smoother. I want to have some idea about what resources are available and have alternative search strategies I can try. Often, the patron finds there are more sources on their topic than they were retrieving, which alleviates a good deal of their stress. 

Also, I am open about sharing my past research challenges, underlining that research can be frustrating regardless of a patron’s particular professional track or level of educational attainment. I know what they're facing and won't treat them like they should be at a particular research knowledge level.

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

There are too many memorable experiences to share! I appreciated being included in two Architectural School charettes (multi-class final projects that focus on construction challenges and solutions with specific stakeholders in mind). Since both involved library buildings, I was able to give practical advice as someone who had experience working, teaching, and assisting students in such an environment.

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

I'm an avid geocacher, which is jokingly referred to as 'finding Tupperware in the woods.' It's a great way to get to know a city or an area, as the caches are frequently located near historically significant sites. I also knit a lot, which is therapeutic for me. I have a huge yarn stash that I need to pare down! I recently knitted a stuffed stegosaurus for a friend's child as well as a pterodactyl and a T-Rex. Also, I like LSU sports. Lastly, I read a lot (no surprise I suppose), with my favorite genres being historical fiction, horror, and mystery books.  I'm participating in so many Goodreads challenges that it's hard to keep track of them all.

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

I keep in close contact with the Art Libraries Society of North America (ARLIS NA) and the International Visual Literacy organizations. Both have provided me with ideas for instruction activities, publications, and resources for students and faculty. I regularly use the LSU Libraries’ databases to see what trends are showing up in the literature.

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.