Ray Pun: Interview with Library Marketing Manager & LIS Instructor Miriam Tuliao
Miriam Tuliao is a Library Marketing Manager in Penguin Random House and an Adjunct LIS Instructor in City University of New York's Queens College and Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis.
Ray: Thank you so much for speaking with me! Can you tell us about your work and how did you get into librarianship?
Miriam: I am a Library Marketing Manager at Penguin Random House (PRH) and a part-time instructor at City University of New York's (CUNY) Queens College and Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI).
I became keenly interested in librarianship while working as a part-time children's and reference clerk at Haverhill Public Library the late 1980s, early 1990s. The staff was incredibly committed to public service, and several librarians encouraged me to pursue an MLS. This was pre-Internet, before online distance learning, and the only MLS-granting institution in the state at the time was a private college. The tuition was beyond what I could afford. Fortunately, a good friend told me that The New York Public Library was hiring full-time librarian trainees. And these positions offered on-the-job experience, age specialty training, a full-time salary, health benefits, and a scholarship covering 75% of tuition costs. I applied for the position, was assigned to Tompkins Square Branch Library, and started taking library science classes at Pratt Institute soon after. Taking the leap was LIFE-CHANGING (yes, all caps!).
R: LIFE-CHANGING indeed! What do you enjoy most about your work?
M: I heart being in book culture. On PRH’s library marketing team, I have opportunities to collaborate with different teams (from audio and publicity to publishing services and Spanish-language sales); build connections between writers, library staff, and readers; promote stories, ideas, and art every day. I have had the privilege promoting a wide range of books from genre fiction, histories, leadership, cookbook and wellness titles to debuts (such as Claire Adam’s GOLDEN CHILD, Gaël Faye’s SMALL COUNTRY and Ocean Vuong’s On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous) and bestsellers (including Michelle Obama’s BECOMING, Rachel Maddow’s BLOWOUT and Robin DiAngelo’s WHITE FRAGILITY).
And in CUNY and IUPUI’s digital classrooms, I have had the privilege of sharing, teaching, and talking shop about all things library--specifically, collections, programs, services, and management--with future librarians. We learn together.
Photo by Unsplash
R: What do you like to do for fun? How do you center yourself and maintain work/life balance?
M: I enjoy swimming, biking, and hiking—moving slowly for fun and peace of mind. During this COVID-19 period, running has been a balm of sorts and has given me renewed purpose.
I’m not good at maintaining a work/life balance, however. It’s the unfortunate combination of saying “yes” to projects (that I’m genuinely interested in) and being a major league procrastinator.
R: You have been such an amazing mentor to many librarians and library workers and students of color over the years, what motivates you to be such an advocate for us?
M: Thank you. I have benefited from having some amazing mentors—community-minded advisers, mission-driven role models, and trusted confidantes. In many ways, the library served as a classroom for me personally and professionally and I continue to draw on my mentors’ collective knowledge--and their joy. And I feel a deep responsibility to share with others what I can.
R: Can you tell us what projects you are working on and what gets you excited about the profession?
Photo by Unsplash
M: Since the COVID-19 crisis, New York City and State, like most cities and states, have been sheltering in place. This transition has spurred PRH’s Library Marketing team to work on some exciting digital initiatives, including virtual book buzz programs and webinars. This period has also given me pause—and I've been grappling with many questions, including: What does the future of library services look like? How will we evolve in this brave new world? How will we pivot and grow and build communities of readers online? How will we advocate and take the brave leap forward towards REAL change for ALL communities?
by: Ray Pun
Ray Pun (he/him/his) is an academic librarian in the Bay Area, California. Ray has presented and published on the values of diversity, equity and inclusion in the profession.