Shelves of books pictured in the Consortium Library. Photo by Kyle Ivacic.
Jodee Kuden has worked at UAA’s library for 16 years, ensuring that students and faculty have the resources they need for success. The Northern Light initially interviewed Kuden for her thoughts on the library’s incoming dean — Thomas Rosko. However, Kuden had other insights to share about the library as well.
Kuden said her role, at its core, is to keep the library’s resources up-to-date and meet curriculum needs. She is one of the main decision-makers in charge of securing access to eBooks, eJournals, and print editions of all types of books, magazines, and newspapers.
Kuden said the COVID-19 pandemic created a new set of challenges that required her and her team to make more online resources available to students than ever before. While this was a big change that is still playing out, Kuden said it has ultimately unlocked more convenience for everyone.
Kuden said the shift toward more online resources has opened new jobs that didn’t exist before, such as IT positions requiring library expertise.
“We have different people doing work that wasn’t involved in a library 30 years ago. Or 20 years ago, even,” Kuden said.
Her job now involves negotiating with eJournal publishers on terms of use and licensing agreements. Kuden said she took a class to ensure she was up-to-speed on the e-publishing world.
“I’m a lifelong learner,” she said.
Kuden said she also sees her colleagues “diving” into the world of artificial intelligence in attempts to streamline certain administrative and research processes.
Kuden said that the basic role of a library hasn’t changed, despite the changing times.
“We are the keepers of the knowledge to the students and faculty at the campus.”
When asked about challenges such as budget cuts, Kuden said, “The entire campus has gone through budget cuts, and we had to take our fair share.” She said that while the cuts have been difficult, she and the library staff have worked to the best of their ability to maintain the library’s usefulness to students.
A major funding-related issue is inflation, Kuden said. “Even if we stay flat-lined with funding from the university, we lose ground.”
She provided a written memo to display this problem. According to the memo, in the fiscal year 2022, the library purchased 1,624 books and eBooks for $116,448.30, while in the fiscal year 2024, 1,513 books and eBooks cost $138,701.66. This represents a 19% price increase for roughly 7% fewer items.
To make up for budget cuts and inflation, the library has hired fewer staff, said Kuden. “We haven’t officially laid off anyone. But, when someone quits or retires, we don’t fill their position.”
Kuden also said UAA’s recent enrollment increases have helped somewhat with budget constraints.
On the topic of the incoming dean, who will arrive at UAA in late September, Kuden expressed optimism. “He’s a collaborator,” she said. “He seems very personable.”
Kuden said that Rosko prepared well during the application process for his new position. “Tom Rosko did his homework on UAA before his interview,” she said.
Kuden said that the dean’s impact on the library varies — explaining that every dean is different and brings something new to the table.
“I think it depends on their leadership style,” she said. “I do work closely with the dean. That will continue with the new dean.”
Kuden ended with advice for students. “Come see us. We’re here to help,” she said. “We can help supply that knowledge or information they (students) need; we can help them find it.”
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