Earlier this summer in New Faces at the Library, Part 1, we introduced some of the new staff we’ve welcomed to our team here at the Library. To get to know the rest of our new staff, I asked each of them a few questions. Read on for their answers!
When did you start at DePaul? What is your job title and your responsibilities?
Jackie Mann: I started in May of 2024. I’m the Acquisitions and E-Resources Librarian. I help manage the processes behind buying new books and other resources for library patrons.
Samrah Raza: I started at DePaul’s Loop Library in March of this year! My job title is Access Services Supervisor, and, in addition to working the service desk, I supervise our student workers, make the schedules, and assist with hiring and training.
Kaiya Schroeder: I started at the Loop Library in January as a Reference & Instruction Librarian. In that role, I serve as liaison to the College of Communication, School of Cinematic Arts, School of Computing, and School of Design. I also have the honor of developing media collections, especially our Video Game Collection.
Emily Swenson: I started my position as Public Services Archivist in December of 2023! I answer our online reference requests, assist researchers in person, and oversee the day-to-day operations of our Reading Room.
Where were you before joining the DePaul University Library?
Jackie: I was the Monograph Acquisitions Coordinator at Loyola University Chicago.
Samrah: I’ve spent the past few years working in public libraries in various capacities; prior to arriving at DePaul, I worked at the Skokie Public Library. I grew up in Skokie and worked at the library in patron services, interlibrary loan, and on the bookmobile in my two years there!
Kaiya: Prior to this, I was the Interim Online Learning Program Lead Librarian at Auraria Library, a tri-institutional academic library serving the University of Colorado of Denver, Metropolitan State University of Denver, and Community College of Denver on Colorado’s largest higher education campus.
Emily: For the (almost) five years prior to my hiring in December, I was the Reference and Engagement Librarian at the National Association of REALTORS, headquartered downtown. Prior to that I spent three years as a Reference Project Archivist at the Bentley Historical Library at the University of Michigan. In between there were a few part-time positions at public libraries and some stints as a barista.
What is a favorite book, film, album, video game, etc. that is available in the Library catalog?
Jackie: I love the record by boygenius, which is available in our LP collection, and I’m obsessed with all books written by V.E. Schwab, many of which are available to DePaul patrons through our new collection, eRead Illinois.
Samrah: My favorites from the catalog are the book Crying in H Mart: A Memoir, the movie Fargo, and any of the Tekken video games!
Kaiya: I am famously terrible at naming a favorite thing, but I do absolutely love Monstress, the Eisner, Hugo, and Harvey Award-winning comic series from Marjorie Liu and Sana Takeda. I’m also a huge nerd who enjoys reading about things I’m reading about, so I’m excited that we 
have Monstrous Women in Comics, which includes a chapter about Monstress as well as other more well-known monstrous ladies like Harley Quinn and She-Hulk.
Emily: This might be my SPCA [Special Collections and Archives] bias, but I’m going to go with an archival collection – The Seminary Townhouse Association Records because my grandma, grandpa, and dad (as a baby) show up in them a few times.
What is your favorite hobby or activity to do in Chicago?
Jackie: I absolutely love spending time along the lakefront in all four seasons. It’s a different experience in every type of weather.
Samrah: I’m a big foodie—I love exploring new restaurants in Chicago and trying different types of cuisine. I also love going to the beach, visiting our incredible museums, relaxing in the forest preserves, and going to shows (music, plays, anything!).
Kaiya: I’m still relearning Chicago, but I always love to eat a food and drink a beverage. Right now I’m obsessed with Beacon Doughnuts’ vanilla bean cronut and Handlebar’s fried pickles.
Emily: I love walking around the neighborhoods and admiring the architecture and history! I like to spend my time visiting museums, trying new restaurants, being in awe of Lake Michigan, and walking to some of the great breweries in my neighborhood.
Any family or pets you wish to brag about?
Jackie: I just adopted a dog, Kaya, and she’s so sweet! She loves running with me and stealing the cream cheese off my bagels.
Samrah: I have three incredible cats—all roughly 3 years old. I am a huge cat person that grew up in a cat household. I cherish my pets so much! My youngest cat, Gingerbread, loves to play fetch.
Kaiya: I am the proud guardian of one canine elder statesman, Oscar. He excels at tomato thievery,
judgmental looks, and generally being the best boy.
Emily: My husband and I adopted a dog in March 2022. Her name is Juniper (we call her Junie), and she’s about three and a half – she has tons of personality and is very sweet but sometimes tries to herd us like sheep.
Coffee or tea?
Jackie: Tea 100%.
Samrah: Coffee. Definitely.
Kaiya: Definitely tea, although mulled cider season will soon be upon us!
Emily: Coffee! I like tea, but I (for better or worse) am already thinking about my morning cup of coffee before I go to bed.