TS-SIS Long-Time Member Profile:
Nancy Cowden
Current Position
Head of Technical Services
Oklahoma City University LawLibrary
ncowden@okcu.edu
On this page:
Place And Date Of Birth
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Educational Background
- Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art, 1976, University of Oklahoma
- Master of Library Science, 1977, University of Oklahoma
Interests/Hobbies
gardening, reading, fixing up my old (1919) house.
Inspiration For Becoming A Law Librarian
I was floundering around in my 20’s trying to come up with a job that would pay enough to feed my son (secretarial work wasn’t working out). I considered teaching but finally decided on library work since that is the area I really had experience in and I really liked it. The main feature I liked about library work was never running out of something to do and the variety of tasks that I got to do.
My main roll model was Sarah Rinehart who was the Head of Technical Services at the University of Oklahoma Law Library for about 20-30 yrs. She was a kind, gentle soul who worked hard and was always a joy to be around.
Current Position Challenges
keeping up with the technology changes that have occurred over the years.
Prior Positions/Employment
- Acquisitions Librarian, University of Texas at Austin Law Library
- Serials Librarian University of Texas at Austin Law Library
'Crazy' Non-Professional Activity
I don’t do crazy things - at least not any I am willing to tell you about. But a fun thing I did was participate in the OCU women’s chorus for a couple of years in the mid-1990’s singing classical pieces in many different foreign languages (none of which I really know). It was a challenge and a joy.
Life's Passion
Right now it is my 2 yr. old grandson.
Earliest Childhood Memory
Seeing the real Easter Bunny when I was about 4 yrs old and no one believed me.
Where In Five Years?
I have been at the Oklahoma City University Law Library 25 yrs since 1980. Either I’ll still be working here or retired (more than likely still here – heh, I’m not that old).
Memberships
- AALL
- MAALL and sometimes SWALL and the Oklahoma Library Association.
Awards
- I was awarded the Kate Mara grant to attend my first AALL meeting in 1980.