2017 Senior Books
Senior Books Project
Every year, the graduating seniors who are working in the library are invited to pick a favorite book and say something about what it was like to work in the library. Scroll through the years to find some great books and hear what it’s like to work in the Library
Years available:
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Meet the Library’s Class of 2017!
Jenna Buckmaster
Book Selection
Water For Elephants by Sara Gruen
About the Selection
Gritty and Colorful. The Best Part? It has elephants.
Library Employment
Worked Four years in the library as an Access and Research Services Manager.
On Working in the Library
The Community! I have had the pleasure of working with incredible people and have made some amazing friends!
Peter Constantelos
Book Selection
Ficciones by Jorge Luis Borges
About the Selection
Just read it, dingus. It’ll blow your mind.
Library Employment
Worked Four years in the library as an Tech Services Manager.
On Working in the Library
Kind staff, lovely workspace – even the work is fun sometimes!
Emily Crnkovich
Book Selection
Catch 22 by Joseph Heller
About the Selection
I read this for the first time in high school and it blew my mind. It’s still my favorite book.
Library Employment
Worked 4 years in the library as an Tech Services Manager.
On Working in the Library
Being around books every day, of course! I’ve also loved learning to fix things in the mendery.
Patrick Eickman
Book Selection
The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara
About the Selection
Michael Shaara has perfectly melded military history into a novel. This is a must read for book lovers, military history enthusiasts, and upcoming history majors alike!
Library Employment
Worked 3 years in the library as an Access and Research Services Aide.
On Working in the Library
The relationships that I have built with both my peers and professionals who have taught me valuable researching skills. Also the Neon Genesis Evangelion references and conversations are always appreciated.
Lydia Fermanich
Book Selection
In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
About the Selection
In Cold Blood is not completely nonfiction, nor is it completely fiction. Capote manages to humanize these horrible killers in a really unique way.
Library Employment
Worked 4 years in the library as an Access and Research Services Manager.
On Working in the Library
All of the staff and student workers are incredibly friendly and helpful. I feel like I have become a part of a strong library community during my time here.
Marissa Heim
Book Selection
At Swim, Two Boys by Jamie O’Neill
About the Selection
A completely unique story about love, war, and finding yourself even when everything around you is chaos.
Library Employment
Worked 4 years in the library as an Access and Research Services Manager.
On Working in the Library
Everything! But especially the amazing people I’ve gotten to work with. I will miss it so much!
Emily Johnson
Book Selection
The Greatest Show on Earth: The Evidence for Evolution by Richard Dawkins
About the Selection
It is exceedingly important, especially in today’s world, to be informed and able to speak logically and clearly about scientific ideas, including for example, climate change and the theory of evolution. In his many books, Dawkins explores complex scientific topics and dissects them elegantly so that readers of any education level can digest and understand the science behind his arguments. While I believe it is important to possess the knowledge base provided by a liberal arts education, it is also super important to be able to communicate those ideas comprehensibly to a wide variety of people from diverse backgrounds. Dawkins does this fabulously, and from him I have learned how to present scientific facts to a non-scientific audience in a way that will make sense to them as well as honestly articulate my opinions about the things I am passionate about without alienating or confusing those I’m talking to. “”The Greatest Show on Earth”” is a must read for both those who already think they know all there is to know about evolution, as well as those just looking to dip their toes.
Library Employment
Worked 4 years in the library as an Access and Research Services Manager.
On Working in the Library
It’s been quite a ride, DeWitt Wallace! I’ve enjoyed meeting and working with all the wonderful library folks and believe I have made lifelong friends through the years. I don’t know how anyone could ever get through their time at Mac without ever coming into the library – this place is my second home! Thanks for everything!
Natalie Kaplan
Book Selection
Ascension by Jacqueline Koyanagi
About the Selection
Koyanagi wrote this book out of a desire to see more people like herself in the genre, and it fully lives up to the goal. She couples beautiful storytelling with commentary on systems of oppression and societal power imbalances, as well as nuanced characters whose identities and experiences are largely absent from science fiction narratives. This is the first scifi book I’ve read in which I’ve been able to see myself and my relationships, and it feels intensely relevant to our world and issues even in its fantastical setting. If you like scifi, ya, or fantasy at all I would highly highly recommend it!
Library Employment
Worked 4 years in the library as an Access and Research Services Manager.
On Working in the Library
Where do I even start? The staff are incredible; I feel so lucky to have gotten to spend the past four years working with such wonderful, welcoming, caring people. The library truly feels like a community — whether it’s movie lunch hours in the summer, or game days, or crafts, or student worker appreciation day, or stickball in two feet of snow, I feel a constant outpouring of love and appreciation from the library staff that I’ve never felt at any other job I’ve worked. I love how I feel like I’m friends with all my coworkers at the library. I also love the opportunities the job gives to interact with and act as a resource for the wider campus community — I’m grateful all the time for what working at the library has taught me personally about research strategies and campus resources, and for the chance to answer questions and help students who aren’t familiar with those things to figure them out. I’ve also loved the chance to be a leader as a student manager and to watch new aides grow and learn at the desk…no matter how you look at it, the library creates a space of support that makes employees want to invest their energy and time in supporting it back, and that’s irreplaceable.
Cyd McMillian
Book Selection
Handle With Care by Jodi Picoult
About the Selection
To be able to read about things you’ve addressed in an academic context, fit into the real world is truly profound.
Library Employment
Worked 2 years in the library as an Access and Research Services Manager.
On Working in the Library
My favorite part of working in the library – the people.
Amelia Palacios
Book Selection
The Principles of Uncertainty by Maira Kalman
About the Selection
3/4 picture book + 1/4 travelogue/narrative documentary = peculiarly painted musings from the mind of artist Maira Kalman, or what I refer to as the ultimate picture book for grown-ups.
Library Employment
Worked 3.5 years in the library as an Access and Research Services Aide.
On Working in the Library
Having easy access to not only BOUNDLESS INFORMATION, but also incredibly inspiring and amazing people working alongside you day in, day out.
Madison Reid
Book Selection
Ghost Image by Hervé Guibert
About the Selection
This little collection of personal essays and ruminations on photography contains no photographs. As a response to Roland Barthes’s classic Camera Lucida, Guibert recounts his love affair with the fleeting medium of photography. Again, no images but lots of nice words inside. For the romantic at heart.
Library Employment
Worked 3.5 years in the library as an Access and Research Services Aide.
On Working in the Library
I’ve enjoyed getting to know other awesome student workers and library staff the most! Also, it was incredibly fun to wander the stacks and learn about the special collections. I feel like a de facto librarian when other students ask me how to find books or work the printers!
E.J. Schoenborn
Book Selection
A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness
About the Selection
I read this book for the first time around my first or second year of high school as I was going through a major depressive phase. This book helped me process many of my feelings through its beautiful art and ability to tell a story. I still cry when I read it.
Library Employment
Worked 4 years in the library as an Access and Research Services Manager.
On Working in the Library
Everything? Honestly. I’ve loved getting to know all the aides and fellow managers and supervisors. I’ve loved the flexibility, respect, understanding, and acceptance I’ve received from the library staff. I’ve loved every single night supervisor (Scott, Mel, Michael, Anne, Madison, and Nate) for putting up with my night-time shenanigans. I’ve loved making the closing announcements. I’ve loved meeting people through checking books out to them and helping them. I’ve loved being helpful. I’ve loved being of service to y’all for as long as I’ve been able to.
Stephanie Shimota
Book Selection
A Country Doctor’s Notebook by Mikhail Bulgakov
About the Selection
My junior year, I took a class called Medicine in Russian Literature with a visiting professor. I was super excited, because it combined very specific interests that I had. It seemed like a class made just for me! It turns out, that’s exactly what it was! I showed up, and I was the only person in the class! The professor said she would keep teaching the class as long as the college didn’t cancel it, and luckily, they didn’t. We hit it off, and the class ended up being great! It was probably my favorite class that I’ve ever taken at Macalester! I loved reading this book in particular. I loved the Russian part, I loved the medical part, I loved the rural part, and I loved the way the book was written. The book was made into a TV mini series with Jon Hamm and Daniel Radcliffe! You should check it out!
Library Employment
Worked 4 years in the library as an Access and Research Services Manager.
On Working in the Library
I really love all of the people who work in the library! They’re all so good at making me feel supported and at ease. Work time flies when you’re with such great people!
Eun Shin
Book Selection
Nina (original title Mitte des Lebens) by Luise Rinser
About the Selection
Quotes from this book gave me strength to pass through the hardest times of in my college life. There is something special about Nina’s attitude toward her life, and I believe that everyone can take different lessons from her life depending on one’s own situation.
Library Employment
Worked 4 years in the library as an Access and Research Services Manager.
On Working in the Library
Working with the best people I could ever ask for. Being surrounded by books about all different kinds of topics.Knowing that I have a role to play in this campus.
Allison Stahr
Book Selection
The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
About the Selection
Reading this book made me realize that there isn’t just one way to represent people, especially women, as strong. Each of the characters has a powerful story and faces conflict with a unique perspective.
Library Employment
Worked 3 years in the library as an Access and Research Services Manager.
On Working in the Library
The people. The library staff and student workers are some of the most amazing people. We have ridiculous and interesting conversations with each other every day. We debate politics, discuss philosophy, help each other with homework, share personal stories, and make weird jokes. I know that I will never have another work environment quite like this.
Katherine Tsuji
Book Selection
Sleeping With the Dictionary by Harryette Mullen
About the Selection
I love how Mullen’s poetry is fun and beautiful and so meaningful
Library Employment
Worked 4 years in the library as an Access and Research Services Manager.
On Working in the Library
The atmosphere and the people are the best