Michelle Y. Spomer

Seasoned library professional with extensive experience in strategic planning, decision-making, and team management; adept at overseeing library operations and developing library programming. Proven track record in budget management and collection development. Eager to leverage skills and experience as Library Director to support institutional goals and curriculum.

Barbour Library Team Accomplishments, 2016-2022

Library Renovation

 Participation in the design process

o Active Learning Space

o Shelf endcaps for educational displays

o Tablet catalog access in stacks

o Fred Rogers Family Room

o Floor outlets and many more wall outlets

o 24/7 Space

 Collection deselection in preparation for less shelf space

 Development of a temporary library, office space, and storage spaces during renovation

 Development of Iron Mountain book retrieval system and policies

Collections

 34-page collection development policy

 Switched to YBP for print book and ebook ordering

 Added over 12,000 ebooks (didn’t have any when I arrived)

 Developed an Alum Collection for books by our alumnae/i authors

 Became a member of SCELC to receive significant discounts on electronic resources

Technical Services

 Migration from Millennium to Symphony library system (during the pandemic lockdown)

o Updated online catalog interface

o EDS discovery layer (searches print and online resources all at once)

o Ability to pay library fees and fines online

o Automatically generated HTML and SMS notices

o Improved Journal Finder interface by adding more ejournals and open access materials

Research and Instruction

 Addition of more Springshare tools (LibAnswers, LibInsight, RefAnalytics)

 Development of dozens of LibGuides that support PTS courses and provide “how to” assistance

 Development of dozens of library FAQs in LibAnswers

 Established reference desk hours

 Reference assistance via RefChat

 Library instruction in more classes

 Developed library orientation for all degree programs (so almost all entering students will get an introduction to the library)

Circulation

 Revised circulation desk manual

 Patron privileges revised for better access (including decreased cost of library accounts for non-PTS folks)

 More part-time desk staff hired and desk staff allowed to close by themselves – both of these are intended to provide staffing when work-support staff aren’t available, and due to full-time staff reductions.

Programming

 More educational displays throughout the library

 Development of monthly BookTalks with the Writing Center

 More events in collaboration with seminary departments and student groups (Valentour/WMI, Syngeneia, Rainbow Covenant, MUI, Con Ed)

Professional Development and Team-building

 Discussions of articles on various librarianship issues during staff meetings

 Development of annual library retreats

Other

 Development of phased library plan during COVID lockdown

 Developed methods of assessment for library operations and programming (including reference statistics, instruction evaluations, space occupancy, etc.)

 Selected by my peers to be on the Atla Board of Directors for two elected terms (3 years each)

• American Library Association (ALA)
• Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL)
• Atla (formerly American Theological Library Association or ATLA)
• Member, Board of Directors, 2017 – 2023
• Chair, Moral Ownership subcommittee, 2020 – 2023
• Member, Moral Ownership subcommittee, 2018 – 2019
• Co-chair, Local Host Committee, 2016
• Chair, Local Host Committee, 2025
• Chair, Annual Conference Committee, 2014 - 2015
• Member, Annual Conference Committee, 2013 – 2016, 2025 - 2026
• Member, Education Committee, 2012 – 2013
• Chair, Publications Committee, 2010 – 2011
• Member, Publications Committee, 2008 – 2010
• Chair, College & University Interest Group, 2009 – 2010
• Secretary, College & University Interest Group, 2007 – 2009
• Brill Library Advisory Board, 2009 - 2011
• California Academic & Research Libraries (CARL)
• Member, Elections & Nominating Committee, 09/2007 - 09/2009
• SAGE Library Advisory Board, 2012 – 2014
• Southern California Theological Library Association (SCATLA)
• President, 2007 – 2008
• Vice President, 2006 – 2007
• Secretary, 2005 – 2006
• Statewide California Electronic Library Consortium (SCELC)
• Member, Product Review Committee, 2007 – 2016
• Chair, Product Review Committee, 2009 – 2010
• Vice Chair, Product Review Committee, 2008 - 2009

• Master of Theology Research Methods Seminar
• Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary, Mill Valley, CA, Spring 2003

• Team member, Lilly Foundation grant, 2008, “Faith Integration Resources,” $23,000
• Author, Atla Digitization grant, 2024, “Presbyterian Beginnings: Early Documents of Western Pennsylvania Churches,” $5000

• Spomer, M., and Russell, M., 2025. Atla Digitization Grantees of 2024 Panel: How We Did It and What We Learned. Panel presentation at Atla Annual 2025, Pittsburgh, PA.
• Spomer, M., Estelle-Holmer, S., and Hughes, E., 2025. Post-COVID Processes and Services: Working Remotely in Theological Libraries. Panel presentation at Atla Annual 2025, Pittsburgh, PA.
• Spomer, M., 2025. Developing a Library Leadership Interest Group. Conversation group convened at Atla Annual 2025, Pittsburgh, PA.
• Spomer, M., Limpitlaw, A., Estelle-Holmer, S., 2023. Book Talks: Promoting the Library and Creating Community, Atla Annual 2023, Ft. Worth, TX.
• Spomer, M., Limpitlaw, A., and Estelle-Holmer, S. (2021). Can You Find Yourself in the Stacks? Building Diverse Collections in Religion and Theology. Presentation at Atla Annual 2021 (online conference).
• Spomer, M., Benjamin, K., Kennedy Stephens, M., and Keck, A. (2020). Defining Balances in Collection Development Polices. Presentation at Atla Annual 2020 (online conference).
• Spomer, M., Estelle-Holmer, S., and Limpitlaw, A. (2019). “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up”: The Art of Decluttering and Organizing Library Collections. Webinar presentation hosted by Atla (formerly American Theological Library Association).
• Spomer, M, Estelle-Holmer, S., and Limpitlaw, A. (2018). “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up”: The Art of Decluttering and Organizing Library Collections. Presentation at the American Theological Library Association 2018 Annual Conference, Indianapolis, IN.
• Spomer, M. and Delgadillo, R. (2016). Curating Online Content: Using Pinterest in Academic Libraries. Presentation at the American Theological Library Association 2016 Annual Conference, Long Beach, CA.
• Spomer, M., Estelle-Holmer, S., and Iwaskow, T. (2015). Developing User Engagement with the ATLA Religion Database: Approaches and Considerations. Panel co-led at the American Theological Library Association 2015 Annual Conference, Denver, CO.
• Spomer, M., Bennett, M., and Stewart, D. (2014). That All May Learn: Three Approaches to In-House Professional Development. Panel co-led at the American Theological Library Association 2014 Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA.
• Spomer, M. (2014). Prezipalooza: Creating Engaging & Distinctive Presentations. Preconference workshop at the American Theological Library Association 2014 Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA.
• Spomer, M., Bennett, M., and Stewart, D. (2013). Deep End of the Talent Pool: Successful Job Interviewing in the Library Marketplace. Panel co-led at the American Theological Library Association 2013 Annual Conference, Northbrook, IL.
• Spomer, M., and Power, M. (2013). Feeding the Flame: Resources for Faith Integration Research & Scholarship. Presentation at Faculty Development Day, Azusa Pacific University, Azusa, CA.
• Spomer, M. (2012). Tools of the Trade: Helping Your Faculty Enhance Their Teaching. In-conference workshop presented at the American Theological Library Association 2012 Annual Conference, Scottsdale, AZ.
• Spomer, M. and Leahy, L. (2012). Gift Books Galore: Best Practices for Collection Development. Conversation group co-led at the American Theological Library Association 2012 Annual Conference, Scottsdale, AZ.
• Spomer, M. and Ewing, J. (2011). All About LibGuides (and more!). Workshop co-led at the October meeting of the Southern California Theological Library Association, Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA.
• Spomer, M., Limpitlaw, A., and Veldheer, K. (2011). Redefining Reference: Doing More with Less. Panel co-led at the American Theological Library Association 2011 Annual Conference, Chicago, IL.
• Spomer, M. (2010). Kiss Your Handouts Goodbye: How LibGuides Can Revolutionize Your Instruction. In-conference workshop presented at the American Theological Library Association 2009 Annual Conference, Louisville, KY.
• Spomer, M., Lloyd, R. and Knox, E. (2008). Social Networking by Facebook: Case Studies for Libraries. Panel co-led at the American Theological Library Association 2008 Annual Conference, Ottawa, Canada.
• Spomer, M. (2008). Virtual Belief? Exploring Religion and Librarianship in the Cyber World of Second Life. Paper presented at the American Theological Library Association 2008 Annual Conference, Ottawa, Canada.
• Spomer, M., Rosen, S., and Harrell, S. (2007). Helping Your Students Navigate the Online Journal Maze. Presentation at the Association of Christian Schools International Annual Conference, Anaheim, CA.
• Spomer, M. (2007). Pathfinders Revisited: Updating the Online Subject Guide. Preconference workshop at the American Theological Library Association 2007 Annual Conference, Philadelphia, PA.