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Elinor Nacheman '71
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Elinor Nacheman '71
Cataloger/Reference Librarian at the Rhode Island School of Design
Promoting the Pursuit of Knowledge
Favorite authors:
Jane Austen and Barbara Kingsolver.
What English skills do you still use today?
"Strong writing skills are so critical because these skills cross all disciplines and all aspects of daily life. I feel grateful to have been given such a solid foundation in this area.."
Advice for English majors:
Take a job that sounds interesting; don’t narrow your opportunities or be afraid to venture off the path you envision—doors will open up. Give life experiences a chance and you’ll find they’ve enriched you in ways you never imagined.
Although Elinor Nacheman is a native of New York, life in Rhode Island—with its thriving arts district, its wide array of historic landmarks, and its tradition of artistic activity—seems to suit her well. Throughout her career as a librarian at the renowned Rhode Island School of Design, she has immersed herself in this unique atmosphere, promoting the pursuit of knowledge, and working to preserve and share with others the rich history of Rhode Island.
Shortly after graduating from Adelphi with an English degree, Ms. Nacheman was hired in the cataloging department of the Westchester Community College library. After working in this capacity for several years, Ms. Nacheman determined what her next career goal would be: "I knew I wanted to work in an academic library," she says. In order to do so, she knew her professional experience would need to be accompanied by a Master of Library Science degree.
After completing a 36-credit graduate program, receiving her master’s degree from Suny Albany, she went on to work at Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, New York. She then seized an opportunity to work at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), one of the oldest independent art college libraries in the country.
RISD, which had been searching for a site to expand its overcrowded library for more than a decade, was given the opportunity to restore one of downtown Providence’s most stunning buildings. "Fleet Boston Financial Corporation donated a 1930s Italian Renaissance banking hall to RISD in 2000," explains Ms. Nacheman. After redesigning the space and completing substantial renovations, the historic landmark’s transformation into RISD’s new art and design library was completed in 2003.
Today the Fleet Library of RISD provides its students, faculty, alumni, and the public exceptional resources and services in a spectacular new home. "The library is beautiful," says Ms. Nacheman. "I love being able to work in this atmosphere."
Her responsibilities as a cataloger/reference librarian range from classifying library materials to cataloging original records for items such as graduate students’ master’s theses; assisting library users by answering reference questions to helping them locate materials; from explaining the use of library equipment to providing bibliographic instruction for individual classes or individual research appointments.
Above all, Ms. Nacheman finds the most rewarding aspect of her job to be her interactions with the library’s patrons. "My favorite part of my job has always been working with the students, community, faculty, and alumni," she says.
In 2007, following two sabbatical leaves, Ms. Nacheman self-published her reference book: Unveiled: A directory and guide to 19th century born artists active in Rhode Island, and where to find their work in publicly accessible Rhode Island collections. "Rhode Island has had a long and enduring heritage of artistic activity and each of the artists featured in the directory have contributed to that heritage," she says. In spring 2008, the book received the "Worldwide Books Publication Award" by the Art Libraries Society of North America, in recognition of outstanding publications by ARLIS members.
The wealth of knowledge she has acquired throughout her career regarding Rhode Island’s rich past carries over to her personal life, in her work as a volunteer at the John Brown House Museum. Named after its original owner, the John Brown House was the first mansion built in Providence. As a docent, Ms. Nacheman shares the history of the men and women who helped to create Rhode Island's capital city, as she guides the mansion’s visitors on a tour through the National Historic Landmark featuring extraordinary architecture and decorative arts.
Born and raised in New York, Ms. Nacheman came to Adelphi on a state scholarship. "I fell in love with the campus," she recalls. It was at the University that she was able to foster her dual passion for English and the arts. "I was a theater junkie," she says. "I attended many of the University’s productions." Her love for English led her to declare the subject as her major; coincidentally, she found her English classes also helped reinforce her love for theater. She fondly remembers Adelphi’s English department, especially Professor Richard Bodtke, who taught the course Restoration Theater. "He made me fall in love with the literature and drama of this period," she recalls.
Today in her free time, she still attends the theater. On Saturday mornings, you can find her in the ceramics studio at RISD, where she has taken courses in hand building ceramics for over 15 years. She is also an avid reader and enjoys travelling, day hikes, and bird watching. In addition to her work at the John Brown House, Ms. Nacheman also volunteers at the Ronald McDonald House.
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