Leigh Clark

Kayla Van Osten

The Falvey Digital Library recently welcomed two interns, Leigh Clark and Kayla Van Osten. Clark, a Lower Bucks County native currently residing in Yardley, holds a BS Ed. in mathematics from Millersville University and a MS in library science from Clarion University. Van Osten grew up in north western New Jersey before moving to this area for a job and to attend graduate school. She graduated from Albright College with a BA in English/ Communications and a MS LIS in library and information science with a concentration in Archival Studies from Drexel University.

What made you decide to become a librarian?

Leigh Clark: “I enjoy helping others discover, evaluate and use information. … I taught high school for a number of years. Initially, I went back for my master’s degree in order to obtain my permanent teaching certification. Through the course of my studies, I discovered that librarianship encompasses my love of teaching and technology. I also find helping others explore a variety of content areas refreshing after just teaching one subject.”

Kayla Van Osten: “While I was in college [at Albright College] I struggled with what I wanted to pursue career-wise, post college. I briefly thought I wanted to be an English teacher, but quickly realized that was not for me. I then switched to an English/Communications Major, thinking I wanted to become a writer/journalist. It wasn’t until my junior year that I considered librarianship. I found a summer internship at a local public library which convinced me I wanted to get my master’s [degree] in Library and Information Science, but rather than become a public librarian, I realized I wanted to be either an archivist, special collections librarian or academic librarian. I decided to go to Drexel University.”

How do you see this internship benefiting your future career?

Leigh Clark: “Villanova’s Digital Library internship will allow me to gain experience with digitization and metadata creation. This internship will also allow me to learn how digital libraries promote digital humanities and access to cultural heritage materials.”

Kayla Van Osten: “When I found this internship I was ecstatic. Everything I will be learning is the exact experience I need in order to find a position in an archive or academic institution. Not only that, I was, and still am, very excited to be able to work with the materials that are part of the collections at Villanova. After receiving my Master’s, I realized that I am very interested in digital archiving and this internship is exactly what I was looking for and I think ultimately the career I want to pursue.”

What are your research interests?

Leigh Clark: “Information literacy instruction, emerging technologies and cultural heritage preservation.”

Kayla Van Osten: “I am interested in a lot of different areas. I love Romantic/Victorian period literature, but also have a general love of history, both American and European.

What are your career goals?

Leigh Clark: “I would like to be a Reference and Instructional Librarian or Digital Services Librarian in an academic or public library.”

Kayla Van Osten: “”My career plans are to work for a Special Collections or Archive, or even a museum. I also have a goal of becoming a published author.”

What are you currently reading?

Leigh Clark: “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea by Dayton Duncan and Ken Burns.

Kayla Van Osten: “Sidney Chambers and the Perils of the Night (Book 2 in the Grantchester Mysteries Series) by James Runcie. I am also re-reading Harry Potter … I am on The Half-Blood Prince. I am also reading a YA [young adult] series called Bloodlines by Rachel Mead, with at least two other books on deck.”

And finally, what are your hobbies or special interests?

Leigh Clark: I enjoy fencing, biking, sewing and crocheting.”

Kayla Van Osten: “My hobbies are, of course, reading, writing, running/being outdoors and visiting friends.”