Faces of Brown is an occasional feature to introduce the Brown community to colleagues.
Background: In the 1970s, Jackson was in the Navy, serving in the Pacific. But "libraries are in my blood - I guess you could call me a library bum," he says, flashing one of his trademark smiles. Jackson obtained a Master of Library Science degree from the University of Southern California, then pursued his interest in political science at Brandeis University in Waltham, Mass., where he received his doctorate in 1991.
Hobbies: Running (you can often find Jackson jogging around the track in OMAC), hiking, travel (most recently to New Orleans in January), and - as one might expect of someone who makes a living among books - reading. He recently read and highly recommends "Undaunted Courage: Meriwether Lewis, Thomas Jefferson, and the Opening of the American West" by Stephen E. Ambrose.
What attracted you to Brown? While attending Brandeis, Jackson, a California native, fell in love with New England and decided to stay in the region. "Brown is a good liberal arts institution," Jackson says, "and Brown's liberal tradition is important to me."
What keeps you here? Faculty, staff and students often find Jackson stationed in the Rockefeller Library reference area. "Working in an academic library where I can teach and consult is lots of fun," says Jackson. In addition to working with students one-on-one with their research projects, Jackson teaches 18 students in PS163, "Introduction to Sources in Political Science," the focus of which is to help students "think critically about information and evaluate the wheat from the chaff."
Best part of your job? "The people aspect of librarianship, helping them navigate through all the electronic resources we have. My job is very people-oriented. I have great co-workers. It's a positive experience, and I think I am making a difference."
Worst part of your job? The Library's finite resources. "There are so many other reference products we could get, a world of information sources we could select, if we only had the funds."
Closing thoughts: "I really love helping people. In the Navy or as a reference librarian, my work is public service in one way or another."