Staff Spotlight #6: Jennifer Ulrich, Hartzler Library technical services librarian

This occasional series features Eastern Mennonite University staff members. Read Staff Spotlight #1 about Lynn Veurink, #2 about Vanessa Derrow, #3 about Betty Lee, #4 about Sarah Gant and #5 about Tony Brenneman.

As a technical services librarian, Jennifer Ulrich’s role in EMU’s Hartzler Library tends “to not be the glamorous side of librarianship,” she said – but she’s held it for three decades. 

Jennifer grew up in Eureka, Illinois, and earned a degree each at Goshen College (BA in history and investigative skills), Indiana University (Master of Library Science) and Claremont (California) Graduate University (MA in applied women’s studies). She recently completed a board of directors term for Atla, a membership association of librarians and information professionals that is committed to advancing the study of religion and theology. 

Travels:

For my graduate studies at Claremont, I completed a three-month internship in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, working with the Mennonite Central Committee Women’s Concerns Committee. I did my Study-Service Term in Haiti. Besides Haiti I have visited Canada, Finland, Romania and the Domnican Republic, and many places in the United States.

Besides calling Harrisonburg home, I feel at home in the places where my parents and sisters are located. Chicago is my city, and I have an affinity for Iowa.

What was your path to working at EMU?

My first job was at Tri-State University in Angola, Indiana, as a reference librarian. I applied for the EMU (then EMC) job six months into that one. There were two positions available at the time; I applied for the reference position, and they offered me the catalog librarian position. 

It was not my first choice, but I am glad I said yes. Cataloging and technical services tend to not be the glamorous side of librarianship (Hmm… Is there a glamorous side? Insert emoji with a puzzled look), but I have really enjoyed the technical services aspect of librarianship. I have had many opportunities to work in all areas of library work in my time at EMU, including reference and instruction, cataloging, web editing and interim director, to name a few.

Occasionally I get to add original records to the OCLC database (WorldCat), often for EMU- or Mennonite-related items. I added records for 7 x 7 Laments by Jerry Holsopple, the DVD Second home: the Kurdish community in Harrisonburg and two versions of Fish-Eyes by Ted Swartz and Lee Eshleman. Being able to contribute records that are useful to other librarians and help identify unique resources is gratifying. 

Family:

My parents live in the town I grew up in, and I tend to spend my vacations there with them. My mom volunteers at the Illinois Mennonite Heritage Center, and I have been cataloging their resources into their online system for a number of years. I have two sisters: Jacqui (my twin) lives in Chicago with her husband and works for the Forest Preserves of Cook County, and Heidi lives in Parnell, Iowa, with her husband; they have two adult children. Heidi works for the Woolen Needle (they specialize in hand-dyed wool and reproduction cotton and kits for quilting, wool applique, rug hooking, and punch needle) and does a lot of volunteering in her community. 

Bella (my cat) has been living with me since February. She likes to watch the birds, squirrels and rabbits, and sleeps a lot.

Life outside of work:

I like to read, sit on my deck, work in my yard, and spend time with friends. I’ll go out of my way for a really good cup of coffee!

I am the director of Patchwork Pantry, a local food pantry that provides groceries to clients who qualify. I work at the pantry most Wednesdays from 5:30 p.m. until 8-ish. It’s fun to have EMU students and faculty/staff volunteer at the pantry.  

I volunteer at Ten Thousand Villages in Harrisonburg about once or twice a month. They recently celebrated 25 years in Harrisonburg, and we came to the conclusion I have probably volunteered there for about 25 years. (“I seem to stick with things long term,” she said.)

I also serve on the board of NewBridges Immigrant Resource Center. 

Two truths and a lie: 

I worked at Highland Retreat one summer.

I played volleyball in high school.

My first car was a Honda.