Emily Hamstra
I’m a librarian at the University of Michigan, Shapiro Undergraduate Library. I absolutely love my job. I work on the reference desk and answer questions over chat reference. I purchase books for the Undergrad Library in the areas of British and American Literature and Fine Arts. I also maintain our leisure reading collection. I’m part of a committee that manages electronic humanities and general reference resources. A few times a week classes will come in to the library to learn about different resources available at the library. I often teach these sessions. I also work with other librarians at the Undergraduate Library to plan events for the library, including a series of ruckus Banned Books Week events.
Why did you choose to major in history at Calvin?
I became a History major because I was an English major and I kept writing History papers for my English classes. When an English professor pointed this out to me, I decided to take a History class. I took American History 1945- Present with Professor Du Mez, and it blew my mind, so I added a History major. I ended up majoring in both History and English.
How did your time at Calvin prepare you for what you are doing now?
My history background comes in handy often when I’m working at the reference desk. History is very interdisciplinary. Having a history background often helps when I’m helping a student look for books and articles on sociology, political science, gender studies, philosophy, art, literature, culture, and of course history.
What are some of your memories of the Calvin History department?
Professor de Vries took our Ancient History class to the Field Museum in Chicago. It was great!
Do you have any advice for current students or those thinking of majoring in history at Calvin?
Feel free to contact me if you are interested in librarianship: ehamstra@umich.edu
