Oral History - Tammy Mason
Dublin Core
Title
Oral History - Tammy Mason
Description
Clip from oral history interview with Tammy Mason (SUNY Potsdam Class of 1987, Library Clerk at Crumb Memorial Library), interviewed by Erin Cheney on November 5, 2012.
Creator
Mason, Tammy. Interviewee.
Cheney, Erin. Interviewer.
Cheney, Erin. Interviewer.
Publisher
SUNY Potsdam. College Archives & Special Collections.
Date
November 5, 2012
Contributor
The oral history was conducted as part of SUNY Potsdam's Fall 2012 "Oral History" course (ANTH 364/HIST 450).
Language
eng.
Type
Sound
Oral History Item Type Metadata
Interviewer
Cheney, Erin
Interviewee
Mason, Tammy
Location
Crumb memorial Library, SUNY Potsdam Campus (Potsdam, New York)
Transcription
[Transcript of clip]
TM: At the time I went here in the 80s, much as you have now, it was set up a little differently, where they wanted us to be quite well-rounded at the time of graduation. So, not only did you of course take your major, but they wanted you to have so many, like now you call them electives, but, so many credit hours from all the different departments on campus. So, I studied Chaucer, I studied Art, I studied Anthropology, so basically I hit every single department on campus except Psychology and Sociology. Everything else, yep, I took something. In fact, a counselor here, an advisor, felt I should really pursue Library Science, and at the time I thought very stereotypical of librarians. The librarians here at the time were elderly, and not extremely user-friendly, and I thought, “Oh, my God, is that how this person sees me?” because I didn’t really understand the dynamics of a collegiate library, and so I kind of pooh-poohed that idea, but over the years, I have worked in many different types of libraries, and this background that Potsdam gave me, the diversity, really prepared me for work in Library Science.
TM: At the time I went here in the 80s, much as you have now, it was set up a little differently, where they wanted us to be quite well-rounded at the time of graduation. So, not only did you of course take your major, but they wanted you to have so many, like now you call them electives, but, so many credit hours from all the different departments on campus. So, I studied Chaucer, I studied Art, I studied Anthropology, so basically I hit every single department on campus except Psychology and Sociology. Everything else, yep, I took something. In fact, a counselor here, an advisor, felt I should really pursue Library Science, and at the time I thought very stereotypical of librarians. The librarians here at the time were elderly, and not extremely user-friendly, and I thought, “Oh, my God, is that how this person sees me?” because I didn’t really understand the dynamics of a collegiate library, and so I kind of pooh-poohed that idea, but over the years, I have worked in many different types of libraries, and this background that Potsdam gave me, the diversity, really prepared me for work in Library Science.
Duration
1 minute : 37 seconds.
Time Summary
0:00-2:13 Introduction to interview
Tammy’s connection to SUNY Potsdam
2:14-4:50 Field of study
Preparation for career
4:51-7:17 Reasons for returning to Potsdam
7:18-11:27 Most/least favorite aspects of current job
11:28-20:12 Potsdam College in the 1980s
Research in the 1980s
20:13-26:44 Changes in information technology
Challenges that come with those changes
Pros/cons of technological changes
Comparison of current technology with that in the 1980s
26:45-34:17 Preparedness of incoming students for college academics
Traditional students
Non-traditional students
Frustrations working with students
34:18-37:11 Keeping up with changing technology
Continuing education for library staff
Northern New York Library Network
37:12-39:57 Closing thoughts
Reflection on Potsdam in the 1980s
42:42-4620 Wrap-up of interview
Signing release forms
Tammy’s connection to SUNY Potsdam
2:14-4:50 Field of study
Preparation for career
4:51-7:17 Reasons for returning to Potsdam
7:18-11:27 Most/least favorite aspects of current job
11:28-20:12 Potsdam College in the 1980s
Research in the 1980s
20:13-26:44 Changes in information technology
Challenges that come with those changes
Pros/cons of technological changes
Comparison of current technology with that in the 1980s
26:45-34:17 Preparedness of incoming students for college academics
Traditional students
Non-traditional students
Frustrations working with students
34:18-37:11 Keeping up with changing technology
Continuing education for library staff
Northern New York Library Network
37:12-39:57 Closing thoughts
Reflection on Potsdam in the 1980s
42:42-4620 Wrap-up of interview
Signing release forms
Files
Collection
Citation
Mason, Tammy. Interviewee.
Cheney, Erin. Interviewer., “Oral History - Tammy Mason,” SUNY Potsdam College Archives & Special Collections Digital Collections, accessed April 25, 2024, https://omeka.potsdam.edu/items/show/24.