In our next installment of the “20 (or so) Questions” series, we meet Naomi Bishop, Solo at Ventana Medical Systems.  Enjoy!

1. Describe the work done by your employer and how you support the organization’s mission.

Ventana’s mission is to improve the lives of patients afflicted with cancer.  Ventana innovates and manufactures instruments and reagents that automate tissue processing and slide staining for cancer diagnostics.  I support the company by providing quality information and research assistance.

2. What percentage of your collection is electronic?

98% of our library collection is electronic.  I have few bookshelves of print reference.

3. Describe the services that you provide to your patrons.

I provide research support, online literature searches, and instruction to support company information needs.  My main customers are scientists, engineers, and pathologists, but I support all areas of the company including research & development, sales & marketing, and manufacturing.  Some of my most popular services are targeted literature searches, reference requests, and weekly literature updates.  I also assist with Post-Market Surveillance for existing products.

4. How many patrons do you serve?

Core users are about 500.

5. What’s the most used / requested /circulated item in your collection?

Dabbs Diagnostic Immunohistochemistry, 3rd edition (e-book), Harvard Business Review (available through EBSCO), and WHO Pathology Books (print reference).

6. How long have you worked there?

11 months.

7. Do you have an MLS and if so, what school did you receive your degree from?

Yes, I’m a 2010 graduate from the University of Washington iSchool.

8. What’s the strangest information request you’ve received?

Who invented the mobile mammogram?

9. What databases do you subscribe to?

ProQuest Datastar, Web of Science / Knowledge, EBSCO Business Source Corporate, Cochrane Library, SciFinder, and many more.

10. Have you always been a “Solo”, or did you become one due to organizational change?

The position here has always been solo, but I came from academic libraries, so it was a real adjustment.  Luckily, there are a few other Roche librarians around the world that I can connect to.

11. Is the library an independent part of your organization, or do you report into a larger department?

I’m independent, but I report to the Head of Medical and Scientific Affairs.  He is a big library supporter.

12. What do you do to market yourself as a librarian within your organization?

New Hire Orientation is where I meet the most people.  I also walk around the office and attend some meetings to give a face to the virtual library.  I send out announcements in the company newsletter and I also speak up at all employee meetings.  I always talk about the library.

13. Are you involved in any “non-library” activities in your organization? If so, what are they?

I recently joined the activities committee, I attend the Zumba class weekly, and I volunteer at company events.

14. Do you currently (or plan to) have any library-themed tattoos?

No way, my grandma would kill me.

15. As solos, we don’t have the luxury of walking down the hall to talk to librarian colleagues. When you have a problem, need advice, or simply want to talk shop, where are some of your favorite places to go?

Oh man, good question.  I usually check the library blogs and listserv archives, and then I will e-mail colleagues from my previous library workplace.  I will also pick up the phone and call the librarian I replaced.  She gives me good advice.  Pathologists and admins are also great at answering questions.  Sometimes I just say I don’t know and let it go, but if it is critical, I try to find a good answer.

16. Read any good books lately?

Yeah, David Truer’s Rez Life was excellent!

17. Name one of your guilty pleasures.

Dark chocolate, Haribo, and Mac and Cheese.

18. What kind of music do you like?

At work I listen to KEXP Seattle, at home I listen to Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Mumford & Sons, Lizz Wright.

19. What are your hobbies outside of work?

Hiking, traveling, watching sports, volunteering with Pima County Public Library Bookbike, and being a Big Sister with Big Brother Big Sisters.

20. What would be your ideal vacation? Have you done it, yet?

I would love to take a trip to Alaska and work on a fishing boat, travel to Bolivia, or go to the World Cup in Brazil in 2014.  I’ve not yet done any of these, but I’m saving for the World Cup 2014.