Louisa H. McMurray

SEEKING: development of a library career, in the public or academic sector.

EDUCATION:             
PRATT INSTITUTE, New York, NY
Master of Science, Library & Information Science (2011)
  •  Graduated with Outstanding Merit
  • Marvin Scilken Merit Award in Public Librarianship

STONY BROOK UNIVERSITY,Stony Brook, NY
Bachelor of Arts, Anthropology / Minor in Medieval Studies (2006)

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:                                
FREELANCE, Brooklyn, NY
Editor/Proofreader and Bibliographer (2018-Present)
  • Proofread manuscript, compiled bibliography, and edited endnotes for book: Kaplan, M. Hitler’s Jewish Refugees: Hope and Anxiety in Portugal (2020)
  • Proofread article: Kaplan, M. Did Gender Matter during the Holocaust? Jewish Social Studies (Winter 2019)

WORLD EDUCATION SERVICES, New York, NY
Credential Evaluator (2014-2017)
  • Accurately reviewed and assessed foreign documents
  • Selected appropriate credentials, institutions, grading scales, and major areas of study in order to develop high quality evaluations
  • ​Entered course information and grades from transcripts as appropriate
  • Developed intimate knowledge of assigned educational systems in a variety of countries

COLLEGE OF NEW ROCHELLE, Brooklyn, NY            
Adjunct Instructor, Brooklyn Campus (2014)
  • Taught two sections of a freshman-level class, totaling 29 students
  • Instructed students in writing research papers and essays and in information literacy, including a final portfolio project on two subjects (literature and social sciences)
  • Provided feedback to Curriculum Committee during first semester of implementation
  • Utilized ANGEL as online course management system to share content
  • Combined traditional lecture with laboratory activities to guide students
  • Tutored students one-on-one as needed

​Adjunct Reference Librarian, Brooklyn Campus Library (2011-2014)
  • Staffed circulation/reference desk, using Millennium ILS
  • Assisted students with reference questions and technical support
  • Conducted instructional sessions in basic information literacy, print and digital resources, and RefWorks/Write-N-Cite, both one-on-one and in class visits
  • Composed instructional tools, including walkthroughs and LibGuides
  • Fielded virtual reference questions via email and QuestionPoint
  • Assisted in title selection and maintenance of collection
  • Supervised two staff assistants (1 FT, 1 PT)

PRATT INSTITUTE, New York, NY 
Graduate Assistant, Pratt Manhattan Campus Library (2009-2011) 
  • Staffed circulation/reference desk, using Millennium ILS
  • ​Assisted students with reference questions and routine technical support
  • Processed incoming monographs and serials
  • Created informational and instructional displays
  • Instructed students in use of WilsonWeb; Gale Academic OneFile; JSTOR; etc.

NEW YORK BOTANICAL GARDEN, Bronx, NY 
Plant Records Intern (2001)
  • Daily updated the database (BG-BASE) of institutional plant collection
  • Researched labels, collection tags, and taxonomy of plants for displays

NYC DEPARTMENT OF PARKS & RECREATION, New York, NY 
AmeriCorps Member (1998-2000)
  • Educational Assistant to Urban Park Rangers in school and public programs
  • Prepared tours, program listing descriptions, and educational brochures
  • Catalogued Brooklyn Urban Park Rangers’ library

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE:
BROOKLYN PUBLIC LIBRARY, Brooklyn, NY
Adult Literacy Tutor, Flatbush Learning Center (2019-Present)
  • Facilitating a small group of adults learning to read and write prior to taking High School Equivalency exam course, meeting two hours twice a week
  • Planning lessons and selecting appropriate reading materials
  • Integrating use of computers into lessons to prepare students for taking online exam
Homework Helper, Midwood Branch (2014-2015)
  • Coached K-8 students one-on-one and in small groups with assignments in all subjects
  • Guided in development of student projects
  • Proctored and graded practice NYS standardized tests
  • Assisted parents with accessing resources for home use

LESBIAN & GAY BIG APPLE CORPS, New York, NY
Social Media Coordinator (2019-Present)
  • Serving LGBTQ community band of 100+ members
  • Managing organizational Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter accounts
Communications Coordinator (2011-2013)
  • Managed organizational Facebook account
  • Served on executive and membership committees
  • Compiled and edited weekly newsletter and semiannual concert program booklets

PUBLICATIONS:
  • Author, Member Profile: Jill Conte, ANSS Currents Fall 2016
  • Author, How to Learn GIS: Advice for Teaching Yourself Geographic Information Systems, ANSS Currents Fall 2014

SERVICE & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: 
  • Member, ALA; ACRL; PLA; Rainbow Round Table
  • Mental Health First Aid USA Certificate (Effective 2018-2021)
  • New York State Public Librarian’s Professional Certificate (Effective 2016-2021)
  • Co-Editor, ANSS Currents (ACRL Anthropology and Sociology Section Newsletter) 2014-2018
  • Moderator, “Lessons Learned: Responding to Disaster in Academic Libraries and Archives” panel at NYC Archivists Round Table’s Archives Week 2013 Symposium, “Disaster Planning for Archives and their Communities,” October 7, 2013

SKILLS:
  • Experienced researcher, editor and proofreader, with proven attention to detail
  • Familiar with grantwriting research and procedures
  • Computer literate (Macintosh and Windows platforms); Millennium; MS Office
  • Web literate (including HTML; Blogger; WordPress)
  • Familiar with social media and use for institutional promotion
  • Intermediate skill in Spanish, German, and Latin
  • Excellent spoken and written English
  • Typing speed of 74 wpm at 99% accuracy
  • Familiar with APA, MLA, and Chicago Manual of Style systems