Lick-Wilmerding’s McCullough library gained a great new temporary head librarian this winter. Susanne DeRisi has stepped in for the beloved Lissa Crider, who is on sabbatical. DeRisi spends her time in the Library shelving, researching and teaching students to research in a plethora of subjects (while also running the best study spot at Lick- Wilmerding!). She has a passion for discovery, learning and literature.

KK Narita: How long have you been a librarian?

Susanne DeRisi: That’s hard to say, I have always worked in libraries. I worked in my library in college and then after in the Stanford library. I then went to librarian school and after graduating I worked primarily in websites and building online databases for about ten years. A couple years ago I became a teaching librarian. So I’ve spent a long time thinking like a librarian.

KK: What made you want to become a librarian?

SDR: I knew I either wanted be a librarian or own a bookstore. Libraries were the place I wanted to go every weekend to check out books. I didn’t expect to work with websites, but when I was in school that was what was really popular, so I studied as much as I could in the field. That’s what was going on and that’s what I studied. But I am coming back to where I always wanted to be.