UW graduate student dives into librarianship and Great Lakes literacy with the Wisconsin Water Library by Jenna Mertz , Wisconsin Sea Grant
This summer , a University of Wisconsin – Madison librarian and graduate student teamed up to promote Great Lakes literacy across the state . The summer experience focused on the library ’ s goal of elevating voices heard and represented in the library ’ s collections and programming .
The Wisconsin Water Library , located along the shores of Lake Mendota in Goodnight Hall , is a special-purpose library that houses more than 30,000 volumes of water-related titles , with particular attention paid to the Great Lakes and waters of the state .
India-Bleu Niehoff ( photo courtsey of Wisconsin Sea Grant )
Anne Moser , a senior special librarian and education coordinator at the library , says that ’ s where the library shines . Funded through the Wisconsin Sea Grant and the Water Resources Institute , two federally and university-funded programs , the library ’ s outreach mission prioritizes connecting with communities throughout Wisconsin .
“ We have a strong education and outreach mission ,” said Moser , “ which means that I , as a librarian , work with , or serve and support , patrons around the state .”
As part of that mission , Moser regularly travels across Wisconsin , delivering programming about the Great Lakes and the waters of Wisconsin in local libraries . This summer , she was accompanied by India-Bleu Niehoff , a library and information studies graduate student at UW – Madison .
The opportunity was made possible through the Wisconsin Sea Grant Summer Outreach Opportunities Program , which pairs students with outreach specialists working on issues affecting coastal and water resources in Wisconsin .
Moser designed the position so that students not only interact with Great Lakes professionals but are also introduced to the many aspects of librarianship .
“ I hope this opportunity offers a well-rounded , hands-on experience in all aspects of librarianship ,” said Moser .
Niehoff was ready to dive in .
Before graduating from UW – Madison in spring 2023 with a bachelor ’ s degree in gender and women ’ s studies and a certificate in global health , Niehoff participated in the UW Libraries ’ Information Specialist Internship Program ( ISIP ). This two-year program introduces undergraduates to librarianship as a career . Through an ISIP mentor , Niehoff learned about the opportunity to work with Moser and the Wisconsin Water Library . The position would allow her to continue to explore the profession and see what it ’ s like to work in a small , specialized academic library .
The work , Niehoff learned , was varied . Some days , she traveled with Moser across the state , teaching kids about Great Lakes shipwrecks and shocking them with facts about Wisconsin ’ s largest and longest-living fish , the lake sturgeon . Other days , she was in the library , researching books by Indigenous women authors .
“ One of the goals of both the Wisconsin Water Library and Wisconsin Sea Grant is to raise and elevate Indigenous knowledge and voices ,” said Niehoff .
One of Niehoff ’ s duties this summer was to help coordinate the Maadagindan ! Start Reading ! book club , which brings together parents , librarians , and educators to discuss children ’ s books about Ojibwe culture and the Great Lakes .
“ It ’ s an amazing program that is a partnership between the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission ( GLIFWC ) and Sea
Grant , which runs through the Wisconsin Water Library ,” said Niehoff .
She collaborated with GLIFWC to select four books for the fall reading series , which kicked off on September 13 . Each session also features an honored guest , usually the author , illustrator , or a member of the Ojibwe community who speaks to the themes or importance of the book .
Niehoff has also written posts for the Wisconsin Water Library ’ s Aqualog blog , which offers curated lists of resources about environmental justice , equity , and underrepresented groups in nature . Access is a subject Niehoff feels strongly about .
“ My undergraduate major was informed by my passion for social justice and ensuring equity , which is important to our world ,” she said .
This fall , Niehoff began her first semester as a library and information studies program graduate student . She ’ ll continue to work at the library and help develop resources for the book club .
Moser looks forward to watching the Wisconsin Sea Grant Summer Outreach Opportunities program grow and support more students as they discover librarianship . She ’ s already seen how the program has impacted the library and communities across the state . It ’ s energizing work .
“ I find that even though I help guide the students I work with , it ’ s fun because I also learn from them . I get to hear their great ideas ,” said Moser . “ It ’ s also a way of recharging my work as a librarian .” fall 2023 | 2