Last summer I conducted a series of interviews with all the student workers around the Leatherby
Libraries. These interviews helped inform the community about all the different areas of the library and all the services we have! Now, we’re doing the same with all our hard-working librarians. Lauren Menges, one of our archivists, was kind enough to answer some questions for us.

1. What is your name and title?
Lauren Menges, Archivist for the Leatherby Libraries

2. In what department of the Leatherby Libraries do you work?
I work in the Special Collections and Archives department.

3. How long have you been at Chapman University?
I started at Chapman as a part-time reference librarian in January last year. I held that position until the end of 2015 when I was hired full-time as the archivist.

4. What is your job in a nutshell?
My job is to oversee the Huell Howser Archive and the Center for American War Letters Archive. I am in charge of processing the collections so that they can be used for research. I assist researchers with accessing the collections, answer reference questions, participate in events and outreach, and maintain a social media presence.

5. Have you held any jobs at other universities or libraries?
While I was part-time at Chapman, I also worked at UCI in their Special Collections library. Before moving to California about a year and a half ago, I was the Manuscripts Digitization Project Librarian at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

6. What are your passions/interests outside of work?
I have lots of interests outside of work! I take ballet class several times a week and get to perform once a year in June. I also rock climb several times a week. My other interests are backpacking, hiking, camping,
biking… anything outdoors!

7. Where did you get your degree?
I did my undergraduate degree in English Literature at Lafayette College in Easton, PA. I got my M.L.I.S. at the University of Pittsburgh.

8. Where is your hometown?
I’m an east-coaster: I grew up in New York, but call North Carolina “home.”

9. What is the last book you read, or the last book you loved?
I recently read I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes. I couldn’t put it down! It’s an espionage thriller about bio-terrorism. I’m not normally a “spy book” kinda gal, but this book was terrific (and terrifying)!

10. Any fun facts about yourself?
I have two cats I named after favorite authors: Beatrix Potter (Trixie) and Henry David Thoreau.