As the Director of the Health Sciences Libraries, I am pleased to introduce Melissa Ernst, MLIS, as our new Dentistry Librarian. In this role, Melissa will partner with the School of Dentistry, bringing expertise to advance teaching, learning, research, and care. 

While Melissa just received her MLIS from University of Wisconsin-Madison, she brings rich experience from her work at Madison Public Library and at the UW Madison iSchool Library. She has been actively involved in her community, participating in the City of Madison Equity Team, providing technology instruction and assistance to Black seniors, and serving as a student officer in the Tribal Libraries, Archives, and Museums student organization. Before receiving her library degree, Melissa worked at Epic Systems Corporation, managing large teams and collaborating with health providers and IT professionals to develop software for patient care. 

Melissa has been recognized for her accomplishments, receiving the American Library Association Spectrum Scholarship (2023) and the Wisconsin Library Association Diversity Scholarship (2022), among other distinctions. 

Please join me in learning more about Melissa through our Q&A, where she shares more about her interests and professional experiences. 

Q: You’ve been in your new role for just over a month. What excites you most about your new job?

ME: I love the energy here at the University of Minnesota’s Health Sciences Library (HSL). I love hearing what drives folks – whether that’s working with students pursuing their passion or supporting researchers committed to improving the lives of Minnesotans. 

Q: You’ve spent your first month at HSL connecting with your colleagues. What have you learned that inspires and engages you?

ME: I’m lucky to be joining such an outstanding team of library staff. There’s an incredible breadth of knowledge and experience at HSL, paired with a cultivated curiosity that allows for the exploration of new ideas and scholarship. As I familiarize myself with HSL, I look forward to continuing the excellent work my colleagues are doing, while highlighting ways we can make our services more accessible and equitable.

Q: What previous experience has guided your approach to your new role?

ME: Throughout my career, I have advocated for connecting people with information. At Madison Public Library, I coordinated a large humanities grant to connect the community with mending and repair classes, and provided personalized technology instruction. At Epic Systems Corporation, I met with clinicians to incorporate their feedback into the software, and taught classes on Diversity and Inclusion. 

Here at the University of Minnesota Libraries, I look forward to supporting the School of Dentistry. Whether it’s teaching students to print teeth using the Makerspace 3D printers, working on systematic reviews with faculty, or figuring out a citation manager, I’m here to help!

Q: Sounds like you’re jumping right in. Could you share a few ways in which you have already engaged with the School of Dentistry?

ME: On my third day at the U, I joined faculty and staff from the Office of Student and Residential Affairs on a tour of the Wangensteen Historical Library where we examined dental artifacts. Later that week, I attended the School of Dentistry (SOD) Fall Research Retreat where I met researchers and learned about the groundbreaking projects they’re working on. I’m looking forward to connecting with, and growing relationships with students, faculty, and staff in the School of Dentistry.  

Q:  What would you like others to know about you as you continue building relationships with the School of Public Health and our broader community?

ME: I’m thrilled to be back in Minnesota. You can find me exploring the cities, walking my corgi Lily, knitting, or enjoying a cozy book.