Profile: Jan A. Vance, Ball State University Libraries’ Periodical/Reserve/Microforms Collection Supervisor

Twenty-five years ago, Jan A. Vance, Periodical/Reserve/Microforms Collection Supervisor, came to Ball State University Libraries as Periodical Services Counter Clerk. One might say that her middle initial stands for adaptability. In the past 25 years, Jan has moved offices six times and has had seven unit heads. She has moved the current collections of periodicals, newspapers, and microforms four times, has assisted in the Libraries’ targeting and bar coding projects, and she has experienced the multi-faceted changes of the computer age and its affect on the print/paper age.

In the normal course of the day, Jan will schedule, hire and train student assistants and staff, oversee reserve processing, and provide good customer service. She takes on the challenge of training new people with aplomb. She has trained 12 evening supervisors throughout her career.

“Each time, training proves more of a challenge because of the changes that have occurred between the last person and the new person. A training manual helps, although it always seems to be in a state of revision!” she said.

“I enjoy the interaction with the staff, faculty, and students,” Jan said. “I get great satisfaction from helping someone find the resources they need and providing services that help others.”