At the Library, we have subject librarians who specialize in topics ranging from aerospace engineering to visual arts. These subject matter experts are here to help our patrons explore their area of study and drive research projects forward. Meet two librarians who consistently go above and beyond to ensure student success and support the next generation of changemakers.
Stephanie Labou | Data Science Librarian
On her role: I am the Library’s point person for all things data- and data science-related. I visit classes to talk about Library data resources; help students and researchers find and access the data they need for projects; teach workshops about scientific programming with R and Python; co-manage the Library’s Data & GIS Lab; and serve as the Library’s liaison to the data science major and the Halıcıoğlu Data Science Institute (HDSI).
On working at the Library: I started in my current position in June 2018. I previously worked as a data manager and research assistant, which was great preparation for my current role at the Library.
On helping students achieve their academic goals: Many of the consultation requests I get from students, especially graduate students, involve finding and accessing specific data they need for their projects. There is a lot of data out there—more than ever before—but it can be challenging to track down exactly what is needed, in the correct format, and at the right spatial and temporal scale. That’s where I can help. I also work with patrons to automate their data analysis workflow with software like Stata, R, and Python.
On what she loves most about her job: I really enjoy seeing the kinds of projects students and faculty are working on. There is a lot of interesting research happening on campus!
On one of her favorite projects: I have been working with students in the Data Science & Engineering Master of Advanced Study capstone course to deposit their projects into the Library’s Digital Collections. This collection of student data science projects (the Library’s first!) will not only serve as a platform to educate future students about proper project documentation through access to similarly structured projects, but will also provide a public-facing portal through which students can better publicize and share their scholarly works.
A surprising fact about her: I am a UC San Diego alumna! I got my bachelor’s degree here and it’s great to be back on campus in a professional capacity.
Peter Mueller | Music Subject Specialist
On his role: Like most of the other subject specialists in the Library, I’m both a generalist and a specialist. I help Library users at the Information Desk and provide general reference assistance at the Research Assistance Desk. I am responsible for the music materials collections—print, media, and digital. I also serve as the liaison between the Library and the Department of Music.
On working at the Library: I’ve always had an affinity for libraries. In fact, one could say I was destined to work at the UC San Diego Library. Junior high was my first experience working in a library. My best friend at the time and I volunteered to work at the circulation desk at Cherokee Junior High in Madison, Wisconsin, and loved it. When I was completing my Ph.D. at the UC San Diego Department of Music, I worked as a student assistant in the Library. I became a career Library employee in 1991 working with the music-related collections, which at that time were on the 4th floor of Geisel Library.
On helping students achieve their academic goals: I take great pride in helping our users successfully navigate our research materials and find the information they are seeking. It’s always enjoyable to learn more about each person’s needs and experience in accessing materials at an academic library. I love sharing my knowledge of music, but equally enjoy helping our students and faculty discover information on virtually any topic. Never a dull moment!
On what he loves most about his job: I learn something new every day, and that’s been true going back to 1991. Sometimes it’s technical and Library-specific, other times it might be information discovered due to a user’s inquiry on topics I’m unfamiliar with. It’s always refreshing to learn new things and see things from different perspectives.
On one of his favorite projects: Every year, I am invited to work with the upper division music history class. This usually involves me giving a lecture on how students can access and use Library resources to help enrich their term papers that quarter. This lecture will, at times, prompt students to book an appointment with me to learn how they might find information on their topic or interpret the information they’ve already discovered, which is very rewarding.
On a surprising fact about him: I’m an active composer and I’m still working on a stamp collection that my dad and I started when I was 11.