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Today’s post spotlights UCF Connect Librarian (UCF Daytona Beach) and Photography Subject Librarian, and Performing Arts and Nursing Librarian, Michael Furlong.

Michael oversees library instruction, reference, collection development and outreach in Daytona and is the interim librarian for Sanford Lake Mary; he is also embedded in Nursing Research classes and supports UCF Daytona’s Nursing program. Michael additionally covers Economics and Real Estate for the College of Business, as well as areas within CAH, including Performing Arts. Michael’s research interests include scholarly collaborations between librarians and subject faculty, theater/film, graphic novels and RPG tabletop gaming.

We sat down with Michael to gain an insight into his daily activities!

Tell us a little bit about your background and how long you’ve been with us at the UCF Libraries.
I’ve been with UCF Libraries for almost 14 years. I’ve worked internationally, as a librarian internship in London, England through FSU for a year, and then a variety of library jobs in Florida, including Rollins College and Valencia. My library career has been entirely in higher education, focusing on outreach, instruction and reference. I started working in libraries as an undergraduate at Stetson University as a work study student at the circulation desk and then the A/V department and archives. Prior to becoming a librarian I was a retail manager in a big box chain store before going back to graduate school and university employment.

What do your daily responsibilities look like?
Remember how every Star Trek episode was different with unique challenges? Well, each day is different, but usually some blend of instruction, reference, outreach, collection development, scholarship and service and professional development as well as meetings. I’m in Daytona part of the week, and Orlando one day a week or more, depending on meetings, events and classroom instruction.

You’ve worked in a variety of settings; what are some things you learned in prior positions that have helped you with your current responsibilities?
Marcus Aurelius, a stoic philosopher suggested meditating at the end of every day and considering these three things: What did I do well? What did I do that could have been improved on? And what did I learn today from these experiences? I think self-reflection and analysis is beneficial.

What has been your proudest accomplishment here? Can you tell us how that came to be?
For professional development, completing my doctorate in Education at UCF was meaningful, for service, being the chair of the ALA Immroth Awards Committee was an honor, and within the library, library instruction and being an embedded librarian has been a proud accomplishment for me. I’m also extremely proud to be the incoming UCF Performing Arts, Music & Theatre librarian!

Tell us a little about you outside of the Library. What sort of interests and hobbies do you have?
I enjoy film and theatre. I also enjoy performing long-form improvisational theatre in local theaters, and participate in tabletop gaming. If you want to improve your instruction or presentation skills, an improv class can be helpful. If anyone wants to put together a UCF library improv team, let’s talk.

We heard you are also a creative writer! Would you like to plug any of your pieces or perhaps share any advice for other writers and artists?
Writing is revision. Seek feedback from friends and/or colleagues who can approach your work objectively. If you want the incentive to write, join a critique group. But don’t let feedback upset you–it’s your friend. And you will receive a variety of opinions about your work. Read widely and often. Write stories, submit them and then wait to hear back. If they are not accepted, send them to a different publication. Also, as a writer, listen to the conversations around you and make note of the different ways people communicate verbally and also through body language.

Is there something you want to pursue professionally in the future?
Pursuing further scholarship and creative work. I’ve toyed with earning another degree, but the problem is deciding which degree to earn. I have so many interests. But I would say, if you’re thinking about earning another degree, I’m happy to talk to you about your journey. I would also enjoy teaching a credit class at UCF.

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