American Career College is excited to welcome Jonny Grass, manager of Library Services who started in July. Grass will be working will all the campuses on ways to innovate the library services and work with faculty to help students learn the importance of research for evidence-based practice.
•••
Tell us more about yourself, your background?
My professional background is pretty diverse. I earned my master’s of science degree in Information Studies from the University of Texas in Austin. I focused on information literacy instruction, which is a fancy way of saying teaching students how to do research and find information. I’ve worked in public libraries, large and small university libraries, K-12 schools and museums. I also taught ESL in Seoul, South Korea for a year, which was challenging but incredible! I love reading, cycling, cooking and fermenting traditional foods. Michael Jackson’s music is my favorite. I’m the world’s greatest Ms. Pacman player.
What made you interested in joining ACC?
I am really excited about ACC because it’ll give me the chance to do a lot of different things. I know a lot of people around here “wear many hats,” and I’ll do the same. I am really creative and innovative in my approach to my work, and when I have an idea, I like to do what it takes to make it happen. As the primary person in charge of all library services, I get to create a vision for the library and follow it through. In my short time here so far, I’ve been overwhelmed – in a good way – by how welcoming everyone is.
What will your primary goals and responsibilities be?
My goal is to figure out where the needs are and to address them. Really, the library is here to support the work in the classroom, so if you have ideas for library services, please share them! In my first month, my projects have included working toward improving our scholarly journal subscriptions, adding thousands of e-books to our collection and building a library website. These projects are all in progress, but they’re definitely moving along. A large part of what I hope to do is work with faculty to help students learn the importance of research for evidence-based practice. I already have a few classroom visits scheduled to teach searching and citing techniques. Please let me know if you’d like me to visit your class!
What do you find most interesting about your job so far?
The most exciting things have been the variety and the opportunities for collaboration. I had been worried I might be isolated as a solo librarian, but I’ve actually worked with a lot of people in a variety of areas. So far, I’ve had discussions with faculty, staff, the marketing team, education directors and campus directors. Everyone has a different perspective based on their experience and knowledge. It’s made me excited about all the ways the library can further the mission and work of ACC.
What is your life motto?
Hmmm… life motto? I’m not quite sure. Maybe “Get things done, create change, don’t take yourself too seriously.” Is that a motto? Maybe “Be creative, happy and productive.”
Who/what is your biggest inspiration/influence?
I think the Dalai Lama and Thich Nhat Hanh are two of my biggest inspirations. They both teach how to act peacefully and compassionately, while building your own happiness. Jorge Luis Borges was a blind librarian and an incredible writer. That’s pretty cool. Also, the entire Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team, of course.
What is one thing that may surprise people about you?
I was a bicycle commuter without a car for more than 10 years in four cities (including Los Angeles)!
