Instructor Biographies
George Babcock
I teach the two classes
dedicated to cataloging: LIBR 170 and LIBR 175. When not
teaching, I work in the Technical Services department of the HCC
Library. My duties include acquisitions, database maintenance,
training and, of course, cataloging. I am not only an instructor
in the L&IS Program, I am also a graduate of the program (2004).
I hold a BA in Comparative Literature (2005). As part of my
undergraduate studies, I spent a year at L’université de Paul
Valéry, Montpellier, France. Currently, I am working on an MLIS
from the University of Washington’s iSchool (expected completion
2009). I like to travel and experience foreign cultures. In
addition to his year in France, I have spent significant other
time abroad: two years in Germany and four months in New
Zealand. I also love music, especially punk rock and classic
country. I am more likely to be seen with a cup of coffee and a
crossword puzzle at a café than wearing shorts in the gym. That
said, I can be spotted from time to time on local golf courses
creating massive divots. I would like to welcome you to the L&IS
Program and looks forward to teaching you on the Art of
Cataloging.
Jonathan Betz-Zall
I celebrated
thirty-one years of work as a professional librarian this year.
Starting in a technical library, I moved quickly to my real
love, public service work, in San Francisco, Philadelphia, and
Seattle. After twenty-five years working in public libraries
primarily with children, I obtained a second master's degree in
Environment and Community and became an academic librarian. I
now specialize in Information Literacy Instruction and
Environmental Education, assist students at
Highline Community College,
teach online for the University of Maryland University College,
and consult through ecolibrarian.
Web Page:
http://ecolibrarian.org
Hara Brook
I received my master's degree in Library and
Information Science from the University of Washington in 2000. I
completed the RCA/UCLES Certificate TEFLA Course in Barcelona,
Spain in 1995. I enjoy traveling and have visited countries in
Europe and Southeast Asia. Many years ago, I was an exchanges
student in Uusikaupunki, Finland. Before coming to Seattle, I
lived abroad in Sendai, Japan, and Barcelona, Spain. My husband,
our two young children and I live in Seattle. I've been working
at Highline since 2000. Among my other responsibilities as a
faculty librarian at Highline, I am responsible for coordinating
the library's reference services.
Karen Fernandez
I received my master's degree in Library
and Information Science from the University of Washington in
1993. My undergraduate degree (B.S. 1989) is from The Evergreen
State College with emphasis in biology. I've been working at
Highline Community College for more than ten years. I teach
Library 160: Computers in Libraries, and Library 132: Serving
Diverse Communities. As the Electronic Resources Librarian, I
coordinate the selection and evaluation of new electronic
databases and resources. I enjoy working with Highline's diverse
student population and find assisting ESL students especially
rewarding.
Dana Franks
I received my M.S.L.S. from Columbia
University after graduating from the University of Vermont with
a B.A. in English Literature. I’ve worked in just about every
kind of library there is, most of them in Vermont. These include
an elementary school library, two special libraries (a museum
and a television news department), two public libraries (one
small and one large) and three academic libraries (Middlebury
College, Green River Community College, and Highline Community
College). I’ve worked as a circulation assistant, a circulation
supervisor, an indexer, a government documents technician, an
elementary school librarian, a cataloger, a reference librarian,
an instruction librarian and now as an off-campus services
librarian. I’ve been a full-time member of the Highline Faculty
since 1986. The one library position I most wanted in library
school is one I’ve never had: a young adult services librarian.
To satisfy that need, I formed two mother-daughter book groups
with my daughters nearly five years ago and have been enjoying
them ever since. Talking about books, especially with young
people, is one of my favorite things to do! I’m one of those
“hysterical librarians” who strongly supports intellectual
freedom, the right to privacy, equity of access, and the free
exploration and exchange of ideas. I do my best to keep these
principles at the front of my mind and try to act in accordance
with them in all the work I do.
Jack Harton
I am in my 14th year as a faculty reference
librarian at Highline Community College. I came to Highline from
Old Dominion University (Norfolk, VA), where I was the Social
Sciences Reference Librarian for five years. I have bachelor
degrees in Criminal Justice and Education, and a Master's degree
in Library and Information Science from the University of North
Carolina at Chapel Hill. Among my other responsibilities as a
faculty librarian at Highline, I am responsible for coordinating
the library's print and media collection.
Lynne King
I have lived in the Pacific Northwest on and
off for many years. Currently I live with my husband, dogs and
cat, east of Seattle in Renton. I read almost anything, I sew
for recreation, but my favorite hobby is sea kayaking, and we
have 4 long sea kayaks. We try to get out on Puget Sound every
week or so. I love kayaking because it is a sport that almost
anyone can enjoy. Ask me about it! We have one daughter who is a
physician in Oregon. I have worked at Highline Community College
since 1991. I work in the Technical Services department and
manage the serials. I am a cataloging specialist and catalog all
formats. I am active in WLA and WALE.
Gerie Ventura
I am a native Tacoman who works in
Circulation Services. I teach Library 122 and Library 110.