In April 2019, Margaret Danowski joined the CMU Libraries faculty as the new subject librarian for the College of Health Professions (CHP), but once upon a time she was set on becoming an archaeologist. After completing her Bachelor’s degree in classical archaeology and cultural anthropology at the University of Michigan, Margaret enrolled in an art history graduate program in North Carolina where she studied ancient art. However, her dream was not to be as funding ran low, and no substantial jobs were available. She returned to her home state of Michigan where she found a job as a serials and routing clerk at a law library in the metro Detroit area. Her supervisor urged Margaret to consider going to library school. Given that Margaret had considered librarianship as a career prior to her first grad school experience, she applied to the University of Michigan’s School of Library and Information Science.
After completing her master’s degree, Margaret worked part-time as a librarian for a dental supply company in Romulus. However, due to a corporate buyout, she knew her job was likely to be eliminated. At that time, the job market for librarians was abysmal, so Margaret applied for almost every southeast Michigan library position she came across and landed a job as a library tech at the Oakland County Law Library. Eventually, the job market improved, and Margaret accepted the position of nursing liaison librarian at Madonna University. There she also served as the library liaison to the hospice program, and she gained experience providing general reference assistance to students and faculty from all academic areas. Like most librarians, Margaret learned as she went and developed expertise in her subject areas over time.
When Margaret saw the CMU Libraries job posting, it struck her as being exactly what she wanted to do. She knew she had the skills to serve faculty and students in CMU’s new online Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, and she could grow professionally to serve folks in disciplines such as Physical Therapy and the Physician Assistant program. Margaret is impressed by all the resources that the CMU Libraries have to offer, and she has already established working relationships with several faculty members in the departments she serves.
In her free time, Margaret is an avid reader, which is not unusual for a librarian! She also likes to make jewelry with genuine gemstone and crystal beads, and she loves to travel. Margaret has visited Greece, Italy, England, Scotland, and Mexico, and she hopes to travel more as time allows. One unusual interest of Margaret’s is Formula 1 racing; she’s quite the fan and recommends that those who aren’t familiar with the sport check out: https://www.formula1.com/
In the coming year, Margaret looks forward to getting to know more faculty, staff, and students in CHP programs. She will continue working with a Public Health faculty member on systematic reviews, and she will establish a research agenda of her own. All of us in the CMU Libraries wish her much success!
