Let's Meet Dr. Colleen Harris, Dean of the Sue & Radcliffe Killam Library

This Fall at Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) some new leadership faces will also meet new and returning undergraduate and graduate students and faculty.

TAMIU has named three new deans, including the first-ever Dean of the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library, Dr. Colleen Harris.

Let’s meet Dr. Harris and get to know her story. 

Where are you from and where do you call home?

I grew up in Brentwood, New York, on Long Island. I’ve also lived in North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Southern California.  Kentucky probably came closest to being called home because I was there for so many years, but Laredo is well on its way to taking the “home” prize with its friendly people, beautiful scenery, and amazing food! 

Tell us about what prompted your pursuit of multiple degrees?

Some people are good at sports or gardening, learning new things brings me joy. I fell in love with college as an undergraduate, and I enjoy learning in a structured way--with a syllabus, with fellow students learning in community, and with the prize of a diploma at the end. Some I’ve done purely for pleasure (my MFA in poetry and the PhD in Mythological Studies) and some I’ve done because they were practical and helped me improve my work (the MLS, MPA, and EdD). (Note:  Dr. Harris has eight degrees).

Was there a single moment that informed or affirmed your choice of a career in libraries?

The moment that affirms my choice of a career in libraries happens every year: commencement. The first time I saw a student that I had helped a few times at the research desk cross that stage, I knew I was in the right place. Libraries were a calm haven for me as a child. Working in libraries as an adult is my thank-you to the universe, and I hope my work in some small way contributes to students’ success as they pursue their dreams.

In your career, what has been the most significant change in libraries...and what do you feel is the next big change? 

There have been a few big transformations in libraries in my career, but I think the most significant one is a shift from libraries as buildings full of gate-kept physical materials to libraries as vibrant centers of multimodal learning, engagement, and creation. Libraries have always worked in information provision, location, and transformation, the scale is just larger now. The next big change which is already underway is really in the information transformation and creation area: libraries and their staff don’t just curate and help people find existing information, they provide the tools, equipment, and expertise to support our communities in transforming and creating new knowledge. I find that very exciting, especially on a university campus!

What are you most excited about at the Killam Library this Fall?

I think we’re most excited about getting folks back on campus for the Fall semester after doing a lot of work this summer in preparation for folks’ return! With the Academic Center for Excellence (ACE) and mentors now on the first floor of the library, we’re excited to move our research help desk to the second floor so it can be more helpful to students working on their assignments, and shifting our children’s book collection to a spot slightly better suited for folks to sit down with their little ones as they choose books. For myself, I am most excited about starting my first semester here at TAMIU, getting our library vacancies fully staffed so we can expand how we support our faculty and students, and meeting as many people as I can.

In what new directions would you like to lead the Killam Library? 

Killam Library is full of dedicated people. I’d like to lead the Library from a support role to a campus leadership role in research and engagement.

What is a popular misconception about libraries and librarians that you’d like to dispatch?

There’s sometimes a misconception that libraries are outdated buildings for books, and as folks shift to other information modalities that libraries can be dusty relics, unneeded when we have smartphones. This couldn’t be farther from the truth! Library employees are information professionals, and the world desperately needs information organization, training in finding and verifying information, and people to support innovative information creation more than ever. Libraries, librarians, and library staff are key to this work.

Can a Library be fun?  Is it more than books and collections... How can people better engage with the Killam Library? 

A Library can and should be fun—some information is useful for your microeconomics course, but sometimes you just need a moment of community or a chance to read for pure enjoyment. Killam Library’s Marketing & Outreach team is working on a plan to increase these kinds of activities, so stay tuned for some workshops, some social events like Silent Book Club, and we’ll be displaying some more ‘fun’ reading options for when TAMIU folks are weary of their textbooks. In addition, if you find a cozy spot for a film screening for your TAMIU group, club, or team, we have lots of fantastic titles we could use to help you in your events! There are lots of ways to engage with us, let us know what you’re up to and what you want to accomplish, and we can let you know what Killam Library has available.

What do you think helps to distinguish the Killam Library today...and what might further distinguish it tomorrow?

I think Killam Library is distinguished today by its employees who are completely dedicated to the students, faculty, and staff of this campus—the employees at Killam are a huge reason why I was excited to accept his position. For tomorrow, I think the Library will further distinguish itself not just as learning and research support, but a true partner taking a leadership role in shaping how research happens on campus at all levels. Stay tuned!

Any interesting hobby, research interest, or pursuit of collectibles that you’d like to share?

I collect tattoos and “flash” art, designs that tattoo artists usually create and display on the walls of their shops. As I get art up in my office, you may see some if you stop by!

Favorite book(s)?

Too many to list and constantly changing, but a few include:

Nonfiction: Richard Hugo’s The Triggering Town and Lia Purpura’s On Looking

Poetry: Louise Gluck’s Averno and Agha Shahid Ali’s Call Me Ishmael Tonight

Fiction: T. Kingfisher’s Nettle & Bone and Carmen Maria Machado’s Her Body and Other Parties 

When “downtime” is available, how do you prefer to enjoy it?

Reading, doing jigsaw puzzles with lots of pieces (I have an 18,000-piece one in a closet waiting for me to find space for it!), watching horror movies, eating mint chocolate chip ice cream, or getting a new tattoo.

To learn more about the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library, visit https://www.tamiu.edu/library, email researchhelp@tamiu.edu, call 956.3216.2112, or connect on social channels X/Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram.