Albin O. Kuhn Library & Gallery

Reference Department

The Reference Department's primary mission is providing reference service and instruction, both proactively and on demand, to UMBC students, faculty and staff. Additionally, we provide similar services to University System of Maryland (USM) students, faculty and staff, as well as local high schools and the general public.

Reference and information services are provided at the reference desk in the Albin O. Kuhn Library & Gallery (1st floor) most hours the Library is open. Reference librarians and reference department staff at this desk are available to answer your questions on any subject. You may also contact subject librarians by email or telephone for answers to specific questions, or in-depth research consultations. In the meantime, subject guides and research help guides have been developed by librarians to better assist you in locating research materials.

Reference librarians and reference department staff strive to help patrons find information using both print and non-print resources, either in person, by telephone, or via Email, or IM chat. At present there is no TTY connection in the library.

Reference Department Staff

Drew Alfgren
Reference Librarian
Email: alfgren@umbc.edu
Phone: 410-455-3608

Drew received a B.A. from Ursinus College, PA, his M.S.L.I.S. from the College of Information Science & Technolgy, Drexel University, PA, and his M.A. in History from UMBC. Drew's primary responsibility is the management and development of the reference print collection . He serves as subject librarian for American Studies, Computer Science & Electrical Engineering, History, Human Context of Science & Technology, Information Systems, Interdisciplinary Studies, and Linehan Artist Scholar Program.

Joe Clark
Digital and Audiovisual Media Librarian
Email: jclark@umbc.edu
Phone: 410-455-2964

Joe holds a B.A. in Music from the University of Utah, an M.A. in Information Resources and Library Science from University of Arizona, and an M.A. in Ethnomusicology from Arizona State University. He manages Library Media and the Slide Library and serves as the subject librarian for Dance, Music, Visual Arts, and Theatre.

Jessame Ferguson
Head of Public Services
Email: jessame@umbc.edu
Phone: 410-455-3604

Jessame holds a B.A. degree in English from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, and an M.L.I.S. from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. She worked at Anne Arundel Community College in Arnold, MD for several years then moved on to become the Librarian for Digital Initiatives and Research & Instructional Services Planning for the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. She has been Head of Circulation & Library Media at UMBC since July of 2002 and now also manages the Reference Department as Head of Public Services.

Daniel Gallaher
Reference Technician
Email: dangall1@umbc.edu
Phone: 410-455-6829

Janet Hack
Reference and Web Services Librarian
Email: jhack@umbc.edu
Phone: 410-455-8130

Janet received her B.A. in Chemistry from Whitman College, Walla Walla, WA and her M.L.S. from the College of Information Studies, University of Maryland, College Park. She is the subject librarian for the departments of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Chemical & Biochemical Engineering, and Mathematics & Statistics.

Uta Hussong
Reference and Instruction Librarian
Email: uhussong@umbc.edu
Phone: 410-455-2358

Uta received her B.S. in Biology from the University of Michigan and her M.L.I.Sc. from the University of Hawaii. She is the subject librarian for the following departments: Biology, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Geography & Environmental Systems, and Physics.

Linda Mirvis
Reference Librarian
Email: mirvis@umbc.edu
Phone: 410-455-6825

Linda received her B.A. in Spanish and education from UMBC, and her M.L.S. from the College of Information Studies, University of Maryland, College Park. She is the subject librarian for the departments of Education and Judaic Studies. She also co-teaches the Honors 201 course, Methods and Materials of Research, each fall.

Simmona Simmons-Hodo
 Services Development and Special Projects Librarian
Email: simmons@umbc.edu
Phone: 410-455-3587

Simmona has a B.A. and a master's degree in American studies, and an M.L.S. from the University of Maryland, College Park. She has also completed coursework in communication and broadcasting research. Simmona is responsible for faculty outreach which includes the provision of personalized research assistance for faculty. She also works on special projects including grants. Simmona is the subject librarian for Administrative and Managerial Sciences; Africana Studies; Athletics; Economics; Emergency Health Services; Gerontology and Aging; Health Administration; Language, Literature & Culture; Philosophy; Religious Studies; the Shriver Center; Sonography; Speech; Women in Technology; and Women's Studies.

Katy Sullivan
Reference and Instruction Librarian
Email: sullivan@umbc.edu
Phone: 410-455-1783

Katy received her B.A. in history from Grove City College, Grove City, PA, and her M.L.S. from the University of Maryland, College Park. She is the subject librarian for the departments of Anthropology, Policy Sciences, Political Science, Social Work, and Sociology. She co-teaches the Honors 201 course, Methods and Materials of Research, each fall.

LaTanya West
Circulation Systems Librarian
Email: latanya@umbc.edu
Phone: 410-455-3630

LaTanya earned a B.A. in Psychology from University of Baltimore. She graduated from the College of Information Science and Technology at Drexel University with an MSLIS. LaTanya supervises the Circulation & Reserves department and is currently the liaison for the Psychology Department.

Zhongqin (June) Yang
Asst. Serials & Electronic Resources Librarian
Email: zhongqin@umbc.edu
Phone: 410-455-6766

June received a B.A. in British & American Literature from Anhui University, a Bachelor of Law in International Communication & Cultural Exchange from Peking University in China and also an M.S.I.S from the State University of New York in Albany. Currently she works in the Serials Department helping manage both print and electronic collections.