Changing of the Guard in the Library

Hello everyone, I’d like to take a moment to introduce myself. I will be serving as the new library liaison for your department! My name is Rita Soenksen, and I joined the Humanities and Social Sciences (H+SS) Collection Development division of the library on July 1st. In addition to serving as the library’s liaison - answering your questions, visiting your courses, and keeping you informed about new library resources and services - I will also be shaping and managing the Library’s collections in English and American literatures, related cultural studies, and comparative literature. I am grateful to Odile for serving as a resource as I step into this role! 

Prior to my transition to H+SS, I served as the EDIBA Librarian (Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Belonging, and Antiracism) at Harvard Library since September 2024. Before coming to Harvard, I was the English and American Literature, Communication Studies, and Journalism librarian at the University of Iowa from 2020-2024, including working with the renowned Iowa Writers’ Workshop. While at Iowa, I also served as the libraries’ Interim Director of Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion. 

My educational background includes a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Northern Iowa, a Master’s degree in African American Studies and a Master’s degree in Library and Information Studies, both from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. My interests include diversity and inclusion in libraries and LIS programs, making academic libraries more welcoming places, book bans, and service to neurodiverse patrons.  

I look forward to meeting and working with you all!

Odile says: heartfelt thanks to everyone for working with me over the years, I’ve had SO much fun diving into your research with you. I’m still at the library, just in a different role, so instead of farewell I get to say: see you around!