Spotlight: DaVonne Rooney

Describe the importance of professional development and/or mentoring to you and your employment path.

Without professional development and mentoring I would not have had the confidence to pursue the position I am currently in today. When I first applied for the Head of Access Services position at the University of Pennsylvania Libraries (my former position), I was a teen librarian at a public library in south jersey. It was clear to the search committee at Penn Libraries, that while I had the service and supervisory experience needed for the job, the academic library and professional managerial experience needed would have to be cultivated.

From the moment I stepped foot on that campus, I paid close attention the behavior and experiences of my peers and supervisors and their advice. I requested and applied for every library manager mentorship I could find, or was brought to my attention and took advantage of the free managerial course work and training Penn’s HR department offered their employees. I knew I lacked certain skills for the job (team building, assessment, managing up, etc., but I also knew I was a quick learner and a hard worker. With those two attributes I could easily obtain the skills I needed to be successful.

If it wasn’t for the incredible support of my colleagues at Penn and the mentors I worked with (official and unofficial) in academic libraries across the country, I would not be the Director of Ops at Jefferson right now. Needless to say, professional development and mentoring is very important.

What important news or projects are happening in your library?

Earlier this year, or late last year, our curator at the Paley-Levy Design Center, Jade Papa, acquired a number of items from a unique donor for our women’s clothing collection. Alice Reiff, the longtime seamstress for politician Joan Specter (and husband of the late senator Arlen Specter) and Blanche Paley Levy gifted us a couple of gowns and dresses she created and altered for both women. Jade and the students and staff at the Paley Design Center are currently working to restore and preserve these pieces with intent to display them in exhibition and make them available to researchers.

Additionally, we recently uploaded a number of images of a unique textile collection, the Point Papers to JSTOR. Our talented staff continues to document, digitize, and upload those images every day. Recently one of our Special Collections Technicians, Ann Wilson wrote a blog post about one of the designers featured in that collection, Edna Leonhardt for the Design Center blog, Follow the Thread.

What is a favorite or popular spot in your library for students/users?

At the far north end of the library, right outside of my administrative suite, is the Pastore Lounge. Here we have a number of soft seating options including reclining chairs and ottomans. All of this furniture is mobile. Not a moment goes by that I don’t see students lounging in these seats, sometimes taking a nap, sometimes working diligently on their personal technology. All of these uses are appropriate for this space. We are so happy that the students enjoy this lounge.

What is a favorite activity or place to spend time when not at work?

When I am not at work, I like to spend time outside in nature, weather permitting. I live pretty close to an entrance to Wissahickon park, so that is my go-to walking area. This past summer, a friend of mine took me to the Ralph Stover State Park. That was a lot of fun. We went right after Hurricane Ida and saw very clearly how high the water rose from the river/creek. It was incredible to see.

If I am not on the trails, I am doing yoga in my home studio or becoming reacquainted with the city.