Andrea C. Kepsel, MLIS, AHIP 
Health Sciences Librarian 
Michigan State University Libraries 

Editor’s note: This month, we are celebrating Andrea Kepsel, who has served as a Librarian Selector for Doody’s Core Titles since 2016 and joined the Library Board of Advisors in 2025. Thank you, Andrea!    

Provide a brief description of your library and its services. 

I am currently a health sciences librarian at the Michigan State University Libraries. The MSU Libraries are the center of academic life on campus, supporting the teaching and research missions of the university both locally and globally. In addition to the College of Nursing and the College of Veterinary Medicine, MSU is unique in having two human medical schools – one for MDs and the other DOs. The health sciences team serves students, faculty, staff, and researchers across the state at our distributed medical campuses. 

How did you get started in health sciences librarianship? What brought you to the profession? 

I have a background in molecular biology and worked in the laboratory research field prior to library school. Unsure of my career path, I was fortunate to meet a medical librarian with similar experience to mine and realized librarianship was a perfect way to combine all of my interests – science, technology, research, and teaching. I joined the MSU Libraries after receiving my MLIS in 2011. The disciplines I support have changed a bit since then, but my current liaison responsibilities include veterinary medicine, animal science, food science and human nutrition, laboratory diagnostics, and biomedical engineering.   

Share two of the most important issues facing the profession today and why they’re important to address. 

The ongoing growth of generative artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the biggest developments currently facing the profession. For all its exciting possibilities, such as using different AI tools in the evidence synthesis process, it also introduces a huge challenge of considering responsible and ethical use. Reliance on AI is also changing how we think about teaching information literacy and critical analysis skills. 

The other important issue is one the profession has been grappling with for a while – the access and availability of research and data. We have seen changes in the publishing landscape in response to trends such as open access and the reproducibility crisis. Not only will these changes continue, but shifting budgets, the growth of research on a global scale, and AI will all impact how we access and share information in the future. 

What is one innovation, product, or service in your library that you’re excited about? 

In the last five years I have created and expanded a small, consumer-level health and wellbeing collection. MSU is increasing support for, and awareness of, student and employee wellbeing across campus, which is leading to increased promotion of the collection. I am excited about a new and growing partnership with our university office of health and wellbeing. We have some fun promotional activities planned for the upcoming semester and are continuing to explore opportunities for mutually beneficial outreach efforts. 

What aspects of your work keep you most professionally motivated? 

The information landscape is constantly changing, and the challenge of adapting to new opportunities and challenges keeps me motivated to learn and grow as a librarian. No two days are ever the same! I also really enjoy working with students. Being able to encourage their passion and curiosity is very rewarding. 

Why do you select for Doody’s Core Titles? Why did you join the Library Board of Advisors? 

In addition to being a Librarian Selector for Doody’s Core Titles for several years, I have written multiple electronic resource reviews for Doody’s Collection Development Monthly. The Doody’s products are important tools for my collection development and I see my contributions as a selector and reviewer as helping my fellow librarians in the same way. When the opportunity to join the Library Board of Advisors arose it felt like a natural progression of my work with Doody’s. I look forward to the opportunity to work with the other board members and contribute to a publisher that has the best interests of librarians in mind. 

A recent book you’ve enjoyed or anything else you’d like to share? 

I recently finished Better Living Through Birding: Notes from a Black Man in the Natural World by Christian Cooper. He is an incredible storyteller and I highly recommend the book even if you are not a birder.