Three HSLS staff members celebrated significant employment anniversaries in the 2023 academic year. In honor of their milestones we asked each of them to tell us about themselves and their work with HSLS.
Jeff Husted – 25 years
Tell us what you do in your current position at HSLS.
I manage our acquisitions processes (orders, renewals, invoice processing, etc.) and the acquisitions budget. I also coordinate collection development and am responsible for electronic resource licensing and vendor relations.
Prior to your current position, what other positions did you hold at Pitt or within HSLS?
I started as a library specialist in what was then HSLS’s Technical Services team. I was then a copy cataloger, the acquisitions manager, and the acquisitions/collections librarian.
What’s your favorite part of working at HSLS?
I would have to say that it’s my colleagues – several have worked here for many years like me, so having those strong working relationships over the long term has been rewarding, and I’ve also enjoyed working with the many newer staff members who have joined HSLS during my time here.
Which book would you recommend everyone reads once in their lifetime?
“Dune” by Frank Herbert. It’s of course considered a science fiction classic, but there is a lot more to it, including environmental issues like water scarcity. I also admire Herbert’s prescience in a book published in 1965, particularly in envisioning a future in which humanity commands, “Thou shalt not make a machine in the likeness of a human mind.”
Angie Zack – 15 years
Tell us what you do in your current position at HSLS.
As the Knowledge Integration Coordinator, I serve as an IT project manager, application web developer, and team manager for web-based applications used by HSLS. This includes HSLS and associated websites and IBM Watson Explorer discovery systems. The Knowledge Integration team is also responsible for the Document Delivery system, the Pitt Data Catalog, and many internal web-based applications.
Prior to your current position, what other positions did you hold at Pitt or within HSLS?
From 2007 through 2016 I served as a Web and Applications Programmer at HSLS. Prior to joining HSLS in 2007, I worked as an Administrative Assistant at the MAPS Program in the School of Education at Pitt from 1984 through 1987.
What’s your favorite part of working at HSLS?
Working at HSLS and Pitt provides me the opportunity to work within an environment where learning and experimenting with technology is highly encouraged.
What advice would you give yourself if you could travel back in time to the start of your career?
Don’t resist going into the IT field or any field because it is dominated by men or you believe you are not capable. I started out in secretarial school when I finished high school because that is what most of my friends did. My husband was in a computer technical school, and I was very interested in what he was learning but didn’t think I would belong. Several jobs later I found myself always in the path of computing/programming because no one else liked those tasks and I loved them. It wasn’t until my 30s when I was laid off as a contract administrator at a major computer corporation as part of a large scale downsize that I took the opportunity to move into programming and application development. It was the push that I had needed.
Hannah Sinemus – 10 years
Tell us what you do in your current position at HSLS.
I am currently the Training Program Director for the Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM) All of Us Program Center (NAPC). I manage the day-to-day operations for the NAPC Training and Education program. My role is to support the NAPC Training and Education staff in their work to design, develop, pilot and launch new trainings; this includes things like strategic planning, prioritizing projects based on value and impact for our stakeholders, and coordinating with my counterparts in Engagement and Evaluation to ensure effective cross-team collaboration.
Prior to your current position, what other positions did you hold at Pitt or within HSLS?
I started my Pitt career as a Student Library Assistant for Technical Services at the Barco Law Library in 2012. In 2014, I came to HSLS and served as a Library Specialist at the Technology Help Desk, where I assisted patrons with their technology needs and managed the Help Desk student employees. At that time, HSLS was in the middle of a 5-year grant with the National Library of Medicine, serving as the Regional Medical Library (RML) for the NNLM Middle Atlantic Region. When the grant was renewed in 2016 and expanded to include the NNLM Web Services Office (NWSO), I joined the grant as a Technology Liaison serving both offices. I served many roles between MAR and NWSO during the 2016-2021 grant cycle, and eventually became the Interim Executive Director for NWSO before transitioning to my role with the NAPC (then TEC).
What’s your favorite part of working at HSLS?
My favorite thing about working at HSLS is the people – having worn a few different hats, I have been fortunate to work with people across DLS, RICIS, and the grant-funded programs. We have such a unique combination of wonderful, fun, funny people in our library that all seem to love their work, which makes HSLS a really warm and welcoming environment.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
Outside of work I love to travel and be outdoors. I often spend my weekends and vacations hiking, camping, and expanding my skills – this year it’s fly fishing. When I travel, I really enjoy taking in the culture of a new city through museums, food, walking tours, and whatever other local adventures I can find! And of course, I love to read. I’m currently in the middle of Ken Follett’s Kingsbridge series. I would highly recommend “The Pillars of the Earth” to anyone – the meandering storyline is so powerful and captivating!