Sarah Holt, a librarian at Washburn University, discovered her passion for the profession through a simple experience as a student worker. As she worked in the library, Holt realized she enjoyed the environment more than any of her previous jobs. Helping students and working with supportive staff showed her that the library was a place where she felt motivated and fulfilled, which led her to pursue librarianship as a career.

“I was in an occupation that I did not enjoy, and the last time I really liked my job was when I was working at a university library,” Holt said.

Holt said that working at the library gave her a sense of purpose and fulfillment she hadn’t experienced in her other jobs. The environment, the students and the staff all contributed to her growing interest in pursuing librarianship.

 “I got a job at a university library, and I really loved it. That’s when I realized, ‘Oh, I want to really do this,’”Holt said.

Holt’s journey led her to earn a master’s degree in library science and eventually join Washburn, drawn by its focus on students rather than research. She said Washburn’s emphasis on student engagement and hands-on learning appealed to her, offering the opportunity to work closely with students in a supportive and interactive environment.

“My previous institution was more research-oriented, so that was the kind of work I was doing. Here, it’s so much more about working with students, being in the classroom and teaching semester-long, credit-bearing classes,” Holt said.

Her educational background is just as diverse as her career path. Holt started at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, then transferred to the College of Charleston in South Carolina, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy with a minor in women and gender studies. She returned to Knoxville to earn her library degree while working at the university and later completed a master’s in communication studies and leadership at Washburn.

This is her seventh fall at Washburn and Holt enjoys the constantly changing environment her work provides. She said the variety keeps the job engaging, from shifts in enrollment to new technologies and programs that affect how students access information.

“Enrollment is increasing, there are new things to discover and plan for. I teach information literacy and with the advent of generative AI becoming more mainstream, it’s fascinating to consider how that changes the way we consume information,” Holt said.

Holt finds her greatest joy in working with students and watching their academic growth. 

“I really love working with students… and seeing them from their very first semester to when they’re doing that big research project for their capstone,” Holt said. “I get to see them both at the beginning and the end of their career, which is really fulfilling.”

Holt’s approachable personality has made her a favorite among many students. 

“There are a couple of students who fight over who I’m their favorite librarian,” Holt said.

Holt also wants to correct misconceptions about librarians. 

“The myth that we get paid to read isn’t true,” Holt said. “But we are always educating ourselves and trying to stay on top of trends.”

Balancing traditional and modern resources is a key part of Holt’s role. 

“I try to embrace new technology with a healthy dose of skepticism,” Holt said. “There will always be a place for physical books, but knowing when one type of resource is the best fit for your information need versus another is how we balance that all the time.”

Books continue to inspire Holt. She praised “Demon Copperhead” by Barbara Kingsolver for its fresh perspective on opioid addiction and recommended “The Attention Merchants” by Tim Wu for students to understand how attention is captured in the digital age.

Holt said her colleagues play a huge role in the library’s positive atmosphere. 

“From our dean, Sean Bird, all the librarians and staff who work behind the scenes that you never really get to see… are really dedicated to students, faculty and staff,” Holt said. “They’re genuinely good, fun people.”

Her colleague Scott Brackey, also an instructional librarian, said Holt’s energy and empathy make her stand out. Brackey said Holt’s approach to librarianship combines professionalism with a relatable, approachable style that makes students feel comfortable seeking her help.

“She’s smart and silly,” Brackey said. “She brings a unique set of experiences from her upbringing to the career path that she took before becoming a librarian. She’s student-centered [and] cares about the folks that come through that door.”

Librarian Franki Ostrom described Holt as fun, energetic and resourceful. Ostrom said Holt made her feel confident and supported when she first joined Washburn. 

“She made me feel like I knew what I was doing and really helped me kind of find my way here,” Ostrom said. “She’s very welcoming and students appreciate her enthusiasm.”

When students struggle with research, Holt encourages them to stay persistent. Sometimes students start broad and vague, so she suggests trying a different database. She reminds them not to give up if the first search doesn’t go as expected.

With research, Holt’s support generally falls into two main areas: getting started and finding sources. She often helps students clarify their research questions by discussing the assignment or connecting it to their personal interests. 

When it comes to finding sources, that can mean learning how to use a database, trying a different one, or refining search terms and phrasing. She also teaches students to use the free interlibrary loan service to request materials not available at Washburn. Beyond research help, Holt reminds students that the library is a place to go for any kind of question. 

Holt often directs them to other departments or connects them with the right person on campus. She says this collaborative, student-centered approach is shared by all the librarians at the front desk and is one of their favorite parts of the job.

Looking ahead, Holt believes libraries will continue to serve as more than just study spaces. 

“I think that they’ll increasingly be hubs for people to meet and gather,” Holt said. “They’ll be cultural points for exchanging ideas and hosting events.”

She encourages students to explore what the library offers even if they’re just looking for a place to study. 

“Come see us,” Holt said. “We’re not scary. You don’t even have to talk to us if you don’t want to, but please do. We’re helpful and fun.”

Outside of work, Holt enjoys pub trivia, traveling and spending time with her tuxedo cat, Peanut. She hopes to visit all 50 states before turning 50.

At the heart of Holt’s career is a shared love of curiosity and learning. 

“I’m very interested in a lot of things and so seeing other people’s research projects and what they’re getting excited about, I genuinely get excited about it too,” Holt said. “I get to live vicariously through them and that’s really fun for me.”

Edited by Bidhya Sapkota and Arohi Rai