At the end of the library lobby, behind the curved research help desk, you may encounter smiling, energetic staff member Maria Jurado. Maria started out as a student assistant in the Fresno State library and has worked her way up to become the library services specialist for Research Services. Now she leads a team of student assistants, coordinates the day-to-day operations of the research unit and organizes tours of the library for the community. Having discovered her passion for libraries as an undergrad, she is now enrolled in the MLIS program at San Jose State.

Find out more about Maria, her library work and what Library Research Services can offer faculty and staff.

In one word, describe your present condition.
Ambitious.

In one sentence, what’s going on in your world?
My days are filled with work, school, gym, cooking and playtime with my dogs, keeping me super busy.

With no restrictions on content or form, describe what excites you about your work as a library services specialist.
I'm constantly learning from brilliant colleagues, student assistants and patrons! I started my library career as a student assistant and had an amazing employer who genuinely cared about her student assistants. As a library services specialist, I supervise seven student assistants. I enjoy assisting them in any way possible so their mental health is prioritized while being enrolled. Their success helps the research services department thrive. I also enjoy taking individuals or groups on tours within the library; I love informing them about all the resources the library has to offer. Most of the time, these groups or individuals are shocked by how many resources have been available to them, and they are excited to test these new resources out.

What does Research Services offer to campus? How can faculty and staff benefit from RS?
The Research Services department is here to help in many different ways; it just depends on your needs! Students can come and ask for research help, consults, technology help, directions, policies and procedures, etc. We provide citation handouts for MLA, APA and Chicago citations as well as research strategy handouts. These will help guide individuals and avoid plagiarism. Librarians are here for any additional assistance at the front desk Monday through Friday, 9 a.m to 3 p.m. during the semester. If you need help after hours, there is a 24/7 live chat where co-op librarians can assist you as well! Librarians can collaborate with faculty to develop and provide a broad range of services and activities to designated departments. Faculty can reach out to their college’s librarian to help teach information literacy concepts to undergraduates and graduate students. On the other hand, librarians and staff are constantly working together to keep the library running smoothly. This varies from stack management, research help, setting up events, etc. Students, staff and faculty all work together and benefit from one another!

When you want to take a 15-minute break from your work in the library, what do you do?
I try to collaborate with colleagues in different departments within the library to see what’s new or how I can help out.

What is your best library shortcut or life hack?
My favorite hack is helping find your room number within the library. The rundown for the first digit of a room number is as follows: 0-lower level, 1-first floor, 2-second floor, 3-third floor and 4-fourth floor. The second digit is pretty simple, 1-North wing, 2-South wing. For example, room 3212: if you wanted to locate this room, you would look at the first digit. Since the first digit is 3, it would be on the third floor; however, you still have to distinguish between the North and South wing. This is where the second digit within your room number comes into play; since the second digit is 2, it would be located on the South wing. Therefore, room 3212 is located on the 3rd floor, South wing.

What’s coming up for Research Services in the library?
We will continue serving the community! The popular reading and graphic novels collection is currently being updated, and new books are coming in every month. For the month of February, we will be honoring Black History Month by displaying multiple titles on the 1st floor; be sure to check those out!