The Levy Library Blog

"Behind the Desk" with Ed Jessup

Our "Behind the Desk" series is back with a special feature on our new Manger of Public Services, Ed Jessup! 

Ed is the latest addition to the team and you can find his friendly face at the 11th floor circulation desk overseeing facilities and circulation operations. Let's learn some more straight from the man himself!

How long have you been working at Levy Library and what were you doing before?

I have been working at the Levy Library in Public Services for about four weeks now (as I’m writing this), and it has been a great challenge and a great change. Everyone here has been great and so welcoming, particularly Kerry McKee, who has really shown me the ropes, and there is a lot to learn, believe me!

Before working at Levy, I was working at the New York Institute of Technology, at their Columbus Circle location. In fact, I was working there for exactly ten years before I started here. At NYIT I was an academic librarian, supporting students and faculty from a variety of disciplines. Here at Levy, all the disciplines are healthcare related, so this has opened up many new areas of topics for me. It’s exciting!

Describe the duties and responsibilities of your job.

My job here is Public Services, so I am here to make sure our patrons have a great experience when they come into the physical space of the library. Also, when something goes awry, not that it ever happens, I am here to troubleshoot why, and to remedy the situation. I also deal with training and scheduling staff. I do a weekly reference shift helping patrons find information, teaching them how to utilize our resources. I have a large repertoire of things I do here, and that’s the kind of environment I thrive in. It’s high energy and I get to interact with all different types of people.

What is the most challenging aspect of your job?

I think at this point, since I am so new, I have so much more to learn. There are a lot of details to remember in this position and it is frustrating not to be able to things perfectly yet, but I will get there.

What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?

There are so many rewards in this position. I think my favorite aspect of my job is when I am helping patrons with research related questions. We get to work with so many intelligent people, like doctors and researchers, and they are all doing amazing things. When I am able to help them find answers or steer them in the right direction, I get such a sense of accomplishment. I guess that’s just the nerdy librarian coming out in me!

What are your interests outside of work?

I am such s generalist, and I dabble in a whole bunch things outside of work. When I have time I love to write both fiction and nonfiction works. I actually publish a creative writing magazine online, and I will secretly sneak in one of my works under a pseudonym every now and then. Anything from creative writing and even research pieces really help me to explore a variety of things. I also have started a jewelry making hobby. I wrap crystals with wire and turn them into pendants for necklaces. Now I have what seems like a million crystal necklaces hanging on hooks on my apartment wall. I have to figure out what I will do with them now. Otherwise, in my prior career I was a special events cook, so now that I don’t do that type of work for a living anymore, I love to go out to eat, drink and be merry.

Anything else you would like to add?

I love knowing and learning about the people I work with, so I you don’t know me, come and say hi! I’m always up for a good conversation.

Have a question? Want to say hello? You can reach Ed at edmund.jessup@mssm.edu!