We often retreat to the Seeley G. Mudd Library in search of a good read, materials for class, or a comfortable environment to dive into our studies. In the midst of spending time in the library, one of the faces we often see is Cindy Patterson.
Cindy Patterson is the Lawrence University library circulation services supervisor. She is in charge of the circulation desk, which is the main desk in the front of the library where we go to ask questions or check out materials. Patterson is also responsible for scheduling student workers during all hours of operation and overseeing course reserves.
A crucial part of Patterson’s job is making sure that library materials are placed in the right location. This includes supervising students who shelve material so that they are not easily misplaced.
As the circulation desk supervisor, a day on the job for Cindy is far from one-dimensional. “There’s no such thing as a typical day,” stated Patterson. “Every minute is something different, and I have to really multi-task all day. I can never predict what’s really going to happen next.”
Some responsibilities that Cindy balances on a day-to-day basis include training and/or filling in for student workers, creating new electronic course reserves, preparing media equipment and meeting with other staff members in the library about new purchases.
Said Patterson, “I’ve seen a lot of changes here in the library in the time that I’ve been here over the years. I think the library keeps getting better and I’m happy to be a part of it.”
Prior to working at Lawrence, Cindy was a teacher out of state. When moving back to Wisconsin, she came across the opening for her current job at Lawrence and became interested. When asked what she loves most about her job, Patterson remarked that it was working with students.
“Lawrence students are really great,” said Patterson, “and I have been fortunate enough to have worked with some really great students in the past 20 years. I’ve come in contact with a lot of students by waiting on them at the desk and I really like that part of the job more than anything.”