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Notes & Quotes

Staff Notes

by Janet Perry, Library Assistant

Meet Our New Employees!

Gretchen Keer, Electronic Resources Librarian

Gretchen Keer – Our new Electronic Resources Librarian has a spectacular outlook on libraries: “The future is information and librarians know information!” Her hope is to help MC3 students navigate the ever-widening sea of information, a skill that will be needed in order to succeed in school, in their pursuits, and beyond. Her special interest is in the formatting and technology of electronic information. With a BA in English from Douglass College, Rutgers University, and an MLIS from School of Communications, Information and Library Studies from Rutgers, Gretchen combines a highly literate background with a very technical area.

Gretchen’s literary background directly affects her personal interests: writing poetry, playing the violin, computers, Web design, literary theory, music, and reading. When asked, she’ll enthusiastically tell you that Emma Donoghue is one of her favorite authors, and that Donoghue’s novel Hood draws you “into the life of the protagonist and doesn’t let you get away even after you’ve finished reading.” And here’s how she describes her favorite album, “Stag” by Amy Ray of the Indigo Girls: “quirky and strange, but also melodic and catchy.”

It’s clear that Gretchen brings a fresh, well-balanced approach to an essential (and growing) library service.


Brian Schaeffer, Evening Periodicals Clerk

Brian Schaeffer – Our new part-time evening Periodicals Clerk has deep interests in history and politics, especially the manner in which our world was shaped by religion through the centuries. Brian’s credentials include a BA in English from Allentown College (DeSales University), and an MS from Drexel University in Library Science. He’s balancing his MCCC duties with a position at Doylestown Public Library.

Brian’s personal interests were also well served by a past volunteer job at the Mercer Museum in Doylestown, where he was fascinated to be working with old newspaper articles and century-old court documents. His other pastimes include gardening, cartography, astronomy, science fiction, and his Catholic discussion and social group. His favorite books have no doubt sparked some lively debates in the group: Gift of the Jews; How the Irish Saved Civilization; and Desire of the Everlasting Hills: The World Before and After Jesus.

You will find Brian at the Periodicals Desk during the evening. He eagerly helps students find what they need in periodicals and assists them in the use of microfilm readers. You will also see Brian helping out at the Circulation Desk. The College and the Library are fortunate to have Brian on our staff!

Meet Our Current Employee:

Robert Erb, Reference Librarian and Assistant Cataloger

Robert Erb – Central Library’s Evening Reference Librarian and Assistant Cataloger – is a 35-year veteran of the College. After all these years, Robert continues to enjoy working with students and his "wonderful co-workers." One of his goals is to relate more effectively to the individual needs of today’s student, which he attempts to do with each reference encounter. One of Robert's particular delights is in divining a student's potential, helping to strengthen those possibilities, and "seeing the lights go on" when a student grasps a concept or idea. This, says Robert, is one of his greatest satisfactions.

A staff member since the College was in its infancy in Conshohocken, Robert says he has seen growth in so many ways: the size of the student body, the opening of West Campus, and the deepening and broadening of perspectives at the College which impact the students.

On a personal level, Robert has a great interest in music. Music for classical organ and choir is not only one of his favorite pastimes, but a former occupation, as Robert worked as an organist and choirmaster prior to becoming a librarian. Robert not only likes to travel and attend arts and crafts shows, but he also does lots of reading, especially in the areas of psychology, sociology, and philosophy, being particularly interested in developing insights into "how things go together, seeing into things." The College is certainly the richer for having Robert's efforts and insights for these last 35 years.

Employee on Leave:

George Raymond Gunn, IV

Amy Gunn – On maternity leave for several weeks now, Amy has provided a photo of her newborn, George Raymond Gunn IV. But be advised–they call him anything but George; he’s alternately Peanut, Munchkin, or GRIV (George Raymond IV– get it?). Although the proud parents are getting some sleep in 3- to 4-hour bursts, a full night’s sleep seems like a distant memory. Amy plans a visit to the College soon, so everyone gets a chance to say hello in person to Geor..., er, Griv!