Staff Writer Ellie Keum ’26 sat down with some of the librarians in the Edsel Ford Memorial Library to discuss their roles.

Mr. Cooper Puls, access services coordinator, Ms. Alyse Hennig, cataloging, digital collections, and services librarian, and

Ms. Alexandra Gaviria, library assistant, are also members of the library team.

Ms. Cory Stevens

Director of the Edsel Ford Memorial Library

I come in every day excited to be here. This is my fourth year at Hotchkiss, and I am still always taken by the breadth of our students’ backgrounds, interests, and abilities.

One of my favorite things about my job is that each day is a little different. I monitor what’s going on in the library, check in with the other staff members, and I also help students with research and various projects throughout the day.

As the director, I oversee the running of the library—its policies and plans. I am also the person the other librarians come to with ideas about projects and outreach, as well as concerns.

Right now I’m working with two of Mr. Tom Drake’s history classes, along with a few of the other research librarians, to help them with a research project. Being able to work individually with students for a more dedicated period of time is really great.

Some advice I have for students (at any stage in their academic careers!): Get to know a librarian by name, and have them get to know you. These relationships are very useful and special.

Ms. Kim Gnerre

Associate Director of the Edsel Ford Memorial Library

A day for me could include a two-hour desk shift, meetings with students, book selection for the catalog, conversing with people in my department, or evaluating the stacks and collections of the library.

My favorite part of my work is helping students with their research, because I like solving mysteries, exposing students to materials that they may have never seen before, and learning new things. It’s great to become knowledgeable about literature, social sciences, or history by aiding a student with research.

I am always surprised by what I can find in the library. Right now, many more voices are being added to the literary and historical canon. I spend a lot of time making sure students have access, through literature and historical texts, to the voices who have not had a chance to share their stories previously.

This is my 25th year at the school. I believe we can always be more informed about curricular development and changes to be better prepared to meet students where they are in the work they want to do.

Ms. Kelly Whelan 

Instructional Services Coordinator and Outreach Librarian

I work with the other librarians to instruct and aid students, whether in a classroom setting or individually. I am also responsible for the fun things you’ll see around the library, like games, coloring, candy, and the large gumball machine.

My best days are the days where I spend a lot of time working with students. I begin working with students in their Prep year, with little instructional sessions that lead up to a main project at the end of the year. In Lower Mid year, there is an annotated bibliography building up to a paper. The idea is to get students comfortable using the library and its materials.

The most important part of my role is being responsive to the changing needs and wishes of students. I feel most committed to making sure that the students feel comfortable in the library. The role of outreach is to break down any barriers to using the library.

For me, school librarianship is just the right balance of customer service, intellectual stimulation, human connection, and feeling like I am making a difference in the everyday moments.

Ms. Rosemary Davis

Archivist and Records Manager

I have the best job at Hotchkiss. I still marvel at the fact that I spend my days digging into old Mischianzas, looking for photos.

My typical day varies a lot, which is what makes it interesting. Today, I’ve been helping the director of the coeducation documentary. I have also been working a lot on an exhibit covering women in the arts at Hotchkiss, which will be installed in March in the Rotunda. I recently completed a project for the Alumni & Development Office. It’s safe to say I do a lot of different things!

I also help out with the archives cocurricular, which is now two years old. We have focused on veterans and women’s firsts so far for the coeducation documentary.

Next year, we are going to cover historic fashion, both in terms of how kids dressed throughout the decades and what was sold in the bookstore.

I love what I do. I sort of live in the past of the school. I know more about Hotchkiss 50 years ago than I do about Hotchkiss today, and I wouldn’t change that for anything.

Ms. Bridget Sayler 

Library Acquisition Specialist

I deal with the library’s endowed funds and book purchasing. On a typical day, I spend most of my time managing the business side of things in the back of the library. But I always make sure to have a front desk shift, which is a nice way to get to know the students because my role isn’t the most front-facing.

The two things I love most are stories and spreadsheets. We have over 25 endowed funds from very generous donors, and it is so gratifying to be able to give that money practical application by organizing it in databases and purchasing books in support of students.

Something I really like about working in this library in particular is that I think teenagers are probably the funniest humans to exist. I have also loved being a part of the Hotchkiss community.

I have been here for a year and a half. We have such a great staff, we have such a great community, and we are in the middle of a beautiful renovation. What more could I ask for?