Mei Grierson didn’t expect her career to lead her to her position as institutional repository librarian at the University at Buffalo Libraries. Born in China and raised in Hong Kong, Mei always had a passion for Chinese literature and dreamed of becoming a fiction writer. “I ranked at the top of my class in fictional writing as a child,” Mei said. “My dream was always to be a fiction writer, but life had other plans for me.”
After earning a Bachelor of Arts in advertising in Guangzhou, China, Mei worked in the industry for a time, but soon realized the industry wasn’t the right fit. “I was assigned to client accounts, and I found the networking and small talk didn’t come naturally to me as an introvert,” she explained.
When a temporary library assistant position became available at one of the Libraries of the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education, Mei decided to give it a try. Having worked in the cataloging and processing unit during college, she thought it would be a good fit, but the library world ended up being much more than just a stopgap job.“I thought I’d be working in marketing, but the library field really drew me in,” she said.
After moving to the United States, Mei worked at the Buffalo & Erie Public Library, then earned her master’s degree in library science from UB. With the challenges brought about by the 2009 financial crisis, library jobs were difficult to find, so she continued working in clerical roles, primarily at Buffalo State University, and steadily worked her way into a more permanent library position. She joined UB Libraries in 2016.
“I started at Buffalo State College University before transferring to UB in 2014 as a secretary to the chair of the Learning and Instruction Department in the Graduate School of Education. Then, in 2016, I finally joined UB Libraries – and I’ve been here ever since!”
As the institutional repository librarian since November 2024, Mei helps UB faculty and students share their scholarly work through UBIR, UB’s institutional repository. “It’s not just an archive. It’s a gateway for sharing knowledge globally,” she said.
One major focus for Mei is ensuring all content meets web accessibility standards, with new legal requirements set to take effect in 2025. “I love knowing that my work makes a real difference,” Mei said. “Whether it’s preserving scholarly work or helping faculty provide students with course materials, it’s rewarding to make knowledge freely accessible.”
Mei racing through the Mighty Niagara Half Marathon in Lewiston, New York, on September 19, 2015.
Asked about her past achievements, Mei notes, “To some, it may seem ordinary, but to me, building a close-knit network of friends, earning my master’s degree, securing a fulfilling permanent job, and owning my own home are milestones I’m truly proud of. Each represents the hard work and perseverance it took to navigate a new culture, society, and language. As an ESL speaker, I once saw language as a challenge, but I turned it into a strength—working as a Cantonese/Mandarin Chinese interpreter for the International Institute of Buffalo from 2014 to 2020. These achievements remind me how far I’ve come and grateful for the journey that got me here!”
Outside of work, Mei stays active with group exercise classes like yoga and BodyPump. “The cold weather has been testing my willpower, but I’m getting back into my routine,” she said. She completed a half marathon in 2015, and in true competitive spirit, after her sister ran her first full marathon, she is now considering taking on that challenge herself. “Stay tuned!”