Q&A with Sarah Weeks

Sarah Weeks, associate director of libraries, joined Oberlin in August 2018. Weeks previously worked in acquisition and resource management at St. Olaf College. At Oberlin, she will be providing leadership for the Libraries’ technical services operations.

Get to know more about Weeks in this Q&A.

Q: Where did you work prior to Oberlin?

A: Previously, I worked at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota. I was head of acquisition and resource management. The acquisitions involved cataloging, stacks maintenance, e-resources, serials, physical processing, special collections and archives. St. Olaf and Carleton College are actually in the same town and share library software and staff. As a result, I worked very closely with Carleton College.

Q: Here at Oberlin you’re the associate director of libraries. What will your role entail here?

A: I’ll be providing leadership for OCL’s technical services operations—so acquisitions, cataloging, serials, e-resources, collection development. I also will do general budget management for the library and serve as second in charge of the libraries in the absence of the director.

Q: What’s something related to the libraries that you’re excited about?

A: I’m very excited about the unique special collections that we have. Oberlin has research-level collections that are amazing, and the fact that students have access to them is very unique and powerful.

Q: What are you most looking forward to in your position?

A: I’m looking forward to working with a very talented and passionate group of library staff. I’ve been really impressed with everyone’s commitment to making the Oberlin experience enriching for students.

Q: What’s your passion?

A: I’m really committed to public libraries and the importance of them. I’ve served on library boards in the past, and I am an advocate for them. I’m interested in furthering the connections between the Oberlin libraries and the local and state community. I know there are already strong existing relationships, and I want to continue them.

Q: What’s something we don’t likely know about you?

A: My family serves as foster parents for dogs. We’ve had eight foster placements in all, and we’ve just been approved by a foster organization here called Multiple Breed Rescue. These kinds of rescue organizations don’t have a shelter, but they function through sites such as PetFinder. This kind of situation tends to be better for the animal, and the adopter gets a lot more information from the foster family about the animal.