Photo by Candice Brown,
UNH - Manchester
Center for Graduate and Professional Studies

For Annie Donahue, being Library Director at UNH Manchester means more than just the stereotype of liking to read. It means more than knowing the latest in cataloging technology and resources available to students. It means being one of the resources that is constantly available to students. "Librarians are the most important resource-that's what we're here for!" Annie says.

As Library Director and Assistant Professor, Annie never spends two days the same way. Her main duties include managing the library operations (dealing with administration, budget, and staff), and providing reference service, collection development, and library instruction. The variety of the position is one of the things that keeps her going. "That's what I like," Annie says. "The choice and variety that comes along with being in a small staff. I wear many hats!" One day she may be showing an English class how to access online databases on Shakespeare; the next, she may be giving instruction on the constantly changing library technology.

While the technology often evolves faster than many students can handle, Annie sees it as an endless opportunity in terms of learning. She cites the importance of technology in the library's online resources and catalog-among other things-accessible to students past the usual "nine-to-five" hours. "It's at their convenience," Annie says. "Students can find full-text chapters of books, or find out if there might be a resource in Durham that we don't have in Manchester."

Annie's journey to her current position began when she enrolled at UNHM as a student. "The community and faculty were supportive and encouraging. They helped me to believe in myself," Annie says. "There was a real attitude of, 'We want you to succeed.' And I needed to hear that." Annie's journey isn't over yet. She's currently finishing her Master's of Liberal Arts in June with a concentration in Celtic Literature.

Outside of UNHM, Annie enjoys traveling, theater, and spending time with her many nieces and nephews. She has been to many countries around the world, including Ireland, the former home of her grandfather. Annie likes to connect her passions by giving her family theater tickets as gifts. "I love the live experience of theater," she says. "There's nothing like it. It can be different every time." Annie has even worked in theater, spending past summers with the former Boston Shakespeare Company doing work backstage. Theater offered Annie the same community feel that she now finds at UNHM.

The same confidence that Annie gained from the UNHM community as a student is what she now desires to impart. She talks with excitement about recognizing students' faces when they enter the library, even if they don't come in every day. She reaches out to the individual students, letting them know they're important. Annie values UNHM community deeply, on both a personal and a professional level. "The faculty will reach out for you," Annie says. "I think we make a difference, and I like that."