If you’ve been to Himmelfarb Library recently, you may have noticed some new faces at the Reference and Circulation Desks! Two new staff members joined us in the month of November: Max Close is our new Reference Specialist, and Leland Ashford Lanquist (Ashford or Ash) is our new Evening/Weekend Circulation Supervisor. We are thrilled to have them both as part of the Himmelfarb team!
Max can often be found at the Himmelfarb Reference Desk ready to answer your reference and library related questions. In addition to his reference duties, Max will also be an integral part of planning Himmelfarb’s annual art show, which will be returning Spring 2022 after a hiatus last year due to the pandemic. Max is originally from Concord, Massachusetts, but moved to the DC area (Silver Spring) just over two years ago to attend graduate school at American University. Max completed his M.A. in Public History at American University in May 2021, and brings experience in archives, museum collections, library resources, and research to his position.
Ashford can often be found at the Himmelfarb Circulation Desk helping patrons, assisting student employees, or processing 3D printing requests. Ashford will be an integral part of hiring, training, scheduling and supervising new student employees and keeping things running smoothly at the Circulation Desk in the evenings and weekends. Since Ashford’s normal working hours include times when the reference desk is closed, he will be available to provide basic reference assistance to users as needed in the evening and late night hours. Ashford grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, and recently moved from Seattle, Washington where he was attending graduate school, to the DC area in November to join the Himmelfarb team. He recently completed his Master of Library and Information Science degree at the University of Washington in June 2021, and brings experience in libraries, community engagement, research, and technology to his position.
In addition to Max and Ashford joining the Himmelfarb team, a number of other Himmelfarb staff are celebrating career milestones this year, ranging from five years to thirty-five years of service with GW! Congratulations to the following Himmelfarbians on your service to GW and to Himmelfarb Library! Himmelfarb is proud of each of you for your dedication, commitment, and accomplishments during your time at GW and at Himmelfarb Library!
- Lonnie Williams - 35 years
- JoLinda Thompson - 20 years
- Kathy Lyons - 15 years
- Tom Harrod - 10 years
- Brian McDonald - 5 years
- Ruth Bueter - 5 years
