NCSU Libraries Focus Online

Volume 25 number 1 - Fall 2004

NPR's Kee Malesky Speaks at 2004 I. T. Littleton Seminar

By Karen Stanley Grigg, Research and Information Services

On April 19, 2004, the North Carolina State University Librarians Association (NCSULA) hosted the fifth I. T. Littleton Seminar. The NCSULA Steering Committee--consisting of Karen Stanley Grigg, Rachel Kuhn, Monica Lopez, and Katherine Dexter Willis--planned the seminar and reception, which was free and open to the NC State community and library colleagues in North Carolina.

Guest speaker Kee Malesky, who is a National Public Radio (NPR) reference librarian, discussed issues that affect many types of libraries today. In her talk, entitled "Information Access and Quality Assurance in a News Media Environment," Malesky began by providing general information about the NPR library, which operates with minimal staff. The services are in-depth and include not only reference transactions but also fact checking and pronunciation assistance. Malesky related some of her favorite anecdotes from her work at NPR, as well as unusual requests the library occasionally receives from NPR reporters, editors, and hosts.

Additionally, she described the reference librarian's role today as needing to provide more assistance rather than merely guiding users to the appropriate print or online resources. Librarians must ensure that researchers locate the best, most accurate, and comprehensive information for their needs.

She pointed out that librarians in the news media serve a variety of roles and that the lines between journalists and librarians have become blurred as new challenges emerge. Librarians can now serve as collaborators with journalists by assisting with research and anticipating user needs in advance. I. T. Littleton, former NC State library director, described Maleksy's message as being "that librarians play a major and essential role in providing information to thousands of NPR radio listeners." He went on to say, "She is a reference librarian extraordinaire under constant pressure to find and verify facts for commentators and reporters by using both printed and online sources. Her dedicated and creative approach to librarianship can serve as a role model for all librarians. She has written that she was honored to be on the list of Littleton seminars. Obviously, the arrangements committee made an excellent choice."

The I. T. Littleton Seminar Endowment, established in March 1987 to mark the retirement of I. T. Littleton as library director at NC State, provided funding for the seminar. The seminar series addresses major issues that affect libraries across the nation and explores diverse perspectives. Individuals interested in making a contribution to the Littleton endowment should write a check to the "Friends of the Library" and specify the endowment name. Send contributions to Friends of the Library, NCSU Libraries, Campus Box 7111, Raleigh, N.C. 27695-7111.