Your name, pronouns, current or most recent work place and position (for students, please tell us what school you’re attending and if you have chosen a specialization):
My name is Azeem Muhammad Khan (he/him). I am currently the Interim Library Director at Whittier College, a liberal arts college located between Los Angeles and Orange County in California. Aside from my current duties as Interim Director, I am a Research & Instructional Librarian.
How long have you been an APALA member? What drew you to join? (If you are currently volunteering on an APALA committee or are an EB officer, please include that here!)
I’ve only recently become more involved in APALA after being a member for a few years. I joined APALA to build community with other AAPI folks in this field, expand my professional network, and to offer support to those new to librarianship. I’ve had positive experiences meeting other APALA members at last year’s ALA conference in Chicago and through a local SoCal meetup.
We’re very interested in the diversity of ethnic/cultural heritage within APALA. Please share your ethnic/cultural heritage with us and any other background information, as desired.
I’m of mixed South Asian (Punjabi) and Irish/Scottish heritage.
What aspects of library work do you find most compelling? Please share some of your professional goals and interests.
I have worked as a Research & Instructional Librarian for many years. I enjoy teaching classes, workshops, doing subject specific instruction, and working with students individually. I find this work extremely gratifying, especially when I see a student’s growing confidence and ability. I want to demystify the process and make it fun and exploratory.
I was made Interim Library Director last summer, which has been a profound learning process. While I am still new to leadership, I am excited about developing my skills in the coming years.
If you’ve got a big move, publication, webinar, conference presentation, or social media presence that you’d like APALA members to know about, let us know here!
My Instagram handle is surreal.fakir.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
The local public library was always a sanctuary for me as a shy mixed race kid growing up in the suburbs of Chicago. It provided a doorway into a broader realm of exploration and imagination. I am so grateful to work in this field and to extend that same feeling of belonging and wonder to others.