Soph Myers-Kelley 
Liaison Librarian to Brody School of Medicine 
Laupus Health Sciences Library 
East Carolina University 

Editor’s note: This month, we are celebrating Soph Myers-Kelley, who has served as a Librarian Selector for Doody’s Core Titles since 2023. 

Where do you currently work and what is your position? 
I work at Laupus Health Sciences Library at East Carolina University. I am one of the Liaison Librarians to the Brody School of Medicine. 

Provide a brief description of your library and its services. 
Laupus Library serves the information needs of the Eastern Area Health Education Center (EAHEC), ECU Health Sciences, ECU Health Medical center, and affiliates with pertinent, relevant, and quality health information. We also lead our own public speaking, writing, and research efforts on relevant medical library and health related topics.  

When did you start in health sciences librarianship? What was your position? With what institution? 
I started work as a health sciences librarian at Laupus Library, in the institution where I’m currently at now. I have been working in the career for two and a half years. 

Name two of the most important issues facing the profession today. 
Budget issues are ever-present, which can lead to the loss of notable talent, as are the issues of censorship and removing the freedoms of information professionals nationwide (as well as internationally). Our rights are intimately tied to the rights of journalists, educators, and protesters.  

What is one innovation, product, or service in your library that you’re excited about? 
We are in the process of putting together a 3D printing service. I think that’s especially exciting because printing out copies of historical archive items can help make them more accessible for neurodivergent learners and kids who benefit from the sensory benefit of handling an item (of which perhaps the original would be too fragile to). It’s an important step that can make our library more accessible to populations who haven’t always been considered in libraries.  

Why do you serve as a Librarian Selector? 
I started because some of my colleagues are Librarian Selectors and encouraged me to try it as well. This year was my second time serving, and I feel I have a better handle on the importance of selecting and supporting my health sciences library community in this way.  

Anything else you’d like to share? 
It’s very important to me that minoritized populations, who are not well represented in medicine, become providers and caretakers in the field. For example, a disabled person might be unsupported in medical school – even though they’re capable – because they can’t sustain the physical expectations of the job. Yet, their expertise as a disabled person could help patients feel less alone in their journeys. It’s important to me that medical school is sustainable for them and they are supported every step of the way. I hope what we do in the library supports that.