Derek Harootune Otis

Education

• M.S., Library and Information Science, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, Ill.
• B.A., Chinese Language and Culture, New College of Florida, Sarasota, Fla.

Professional Profile

Derek Harootune Otis (they/them) holds a Master’s degree in library and information science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and received their Bachelor of Arts in Chinese language and culture from New College of Florida. In the past, they have held library positions at the Elling O. Eide Center Research Library, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and Oglethorpe University.

In their capacity as Emory University’s Student Flourishing Librarian, Derek works to provide library instruction and programming that is responsive to the needs of the undergraduate student body. This work is carried out through the lens of Emory University’s four pillars of flourishing: academic experience, professional pathways, community & well-being, and purpose & meaning. 

They are particularly interested in creating instruction that teaches students how to use emerging technologies in practical, humanistic ways. Their library programming focuses on student wellbeing, library orientation activities, and Emory history.

In their free time, Derek writes and publishes short poetry, and manages a small library of Quaker materials at the Atlanta Friends Meeting. They maintain a reader’s interest in Chinese studies and Armenian studies, especially the great variety of Armenian diasporic experiences.