We’ve been enjoying learning more about each other as colleagues, and are excited to share another “Meet our Staff” post!

Erika Wigren is an MLIS student at the University of Washington, and Digital Projects Specialist who does awesome work for UW Tacoma Library’s Digital Commons site and with the Tacoma Community History Project.

1. What did you major in/are you majoring in at UWT? When I studied at UWT I majored in Writing Studies (Creative Writing).
2. What drew you to working in libraries? It was in this degree that my interest in libraries grew. I loved the research I was doing for my short stories and poetry, I loved helping others research, and I loved going to the library. Libraries have been a constant in my life, along with books, and I always felt welcomed in libraries.
3. What parts of your job are you most excited about?  The parts of my job I am most excited about at the UWT library include archival and community history projects, working with faculty to improve access to their research, and library displays and book discussions that relate to social justice.
4. Have you read anything good lately? Recently, I read the book White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo. The author is coming to ALA-Mid Winter and I wanted to read her work. The book is important as it asks white people to analyze their reactions and assumptions about race, as well as to recognize how their reactions, what the author terms white fragility, maintain racial inequality in our society. In addition to White Fragility, I just read The 57 Bus by Dashka Slater as a part of the libraries RealLit book club. Its focus is on incarceration and gender roles in society. I am so excited to talk to other readers about Slater’s work because it’s real, raw, and relevant.
5. Any advice for UWT students? For UWT students, my best advice is to utilize the library and to get comfortable talking/working alongside to staff and faculty on campus. They can be your biggest supporters and can help you succeed in college, and after. My professors helped me get into my master’s program and I still have a great relationship with them today.

Also I’d like to add, get a bicycle! Bike to campus, to work, and try to reduce your emissions. It’s good for your health, the planet, and it’s enjoyable.