Meet Your Librarian
Throughout the Spring 2019 semester, the Eugene McDermott Library will be highlighting some of our amazing library staff in an ongoing series designed to help students, faculty and staff get to know the many faces of the library who are here to help you discover relevant, authoritative and scholarly resources.
Matt Young, Research Services Librarian
Behind stacks of hundreds of thousands of books, academic journals and students engrossed in their studies on the second floor of the of Eugene McDermott Library, is Research Services, an area where you can find helpful library staff specializing in reference and library instruction, including librarian Matt Young.
Young, who is also the liaison for the UT Dallas Callier Center for Communication Disorders and the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences (BBS), began his journey at the McDermott Library in 2013. As a librarian in the Research Services Department, his chief responsibilities are improving students’ information literacy skills, supporting faculty needs and promoting resource discovery. He also manages the Callier Center Library in Dallas and supports BBS faculty and students by selecting new materials and teaching research skills tailored to their programs.
“On any given day, you can find me at the Services Desk or online chat, ready to help with whatever challenge you might have,” Young said.
Growing up, Young dreamed of drawing comic books or being a member of a touring rock band. After college, he took a few jobs while attempting to launch a photography career, but felt the industry was simply not for him because it was high stress, short term and driven by things he didn’t find personally rewarding.
He decided to switch gears and explore other career options and landed on librarianship because he enjoyed sharing knowledge, solving problems and being resourceful.
“I am personally motivated by the principles of libraries; I get to work around books, technology and a very positive academic atmosphere with brilliant students, faculty and staff,” Young said.
A Houston native, Young has a bachelor’s degree in Photography. After deciding his true calling was librarianship, he went back to school to pursue a master’s degree in Library and Information Science from the University of North Texas (UNT). Before joining the McDermott Library staff, he was a student employee in UNT Library’s Digital Projects Department.
As a McDermott librarian, Young enjoys interacting with patrons—students, faculty and staff— by assisting them in finding resources for research projects and classroom settings. He often goes beyond the call of duty to make things at the library run more smoothly and make the library a better place, said his manager, Dr. Tiffany Norris, Associate Library Director.
“Matt is conscientious and thoughtful. He is always looking for ways to improve the department and the library to better serve our students and faculty,” Norris said.
“He often goes above and beyond what is asked of him. For example, he revised the template for our Research Guides to give them more consistency and let patrons know what to expect when they saw one, but he also trained our Technical Services Department on how to use them within their department,” she said.
“Also, when we got CometPrint, he made sure to test it out using his phone so he’d know what the patron experience was like. That consistent extra effort really makes him stand out to his faculty and makes him a great asset to the library,” Norris added.
Young also headed the McDermott Student Advisory Group, a group that provides student perspectives on library services, spaces and activities.
One of Young’s passions outside of work is music. He enjoys going to hear live music as well as finding new bands to listen to. He also plays the guitar and is currently learning to record and mix music. Young is also a big NFL fan and likes taking long road trips.
Learn more about Matt Young:
Title
Research Librarian; Liaison to the UT Dallas Callier Center for Communication Disorders and the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences
Educational Background
BFA in Photography, University of North Texas; MS in Library and Information Sciences, University of North Texas
My career at McDermott began in
2013
What motivates you to get up out of bed every day?
“I mentioned the principles of librarianship. They’re all really great, but the ones that motivate me most are intellectual freedom, literacy and lifelong learning, and diversity/access to information for everyone. That’s “big picture” motivation, but I like knowing that I support these causes every day. Look up the American Library Association’s Core Values and try telling me you don’t love libraries!”
What do you like best about your job and working at the McDermott Library?
“We meet students who are nervous about seeking help or they’re visiting the library for the first time in their junior or senior year. Don’t be shy! Getting a few tips early can actually help simplify your research experience and improve your study habits.”
Contact Young by email or phone: 972-883-2627.