If you’re in Lockwood Library and run into Scott Martin, ask him about the time he was chased by a sea lion while in New Zealand. Martin is well-traveled and has visited more than 20 countries — with New Zealand ranking as his favorite.
“I spent almost a month there during the off season,” said Martin. “I took public transportation, met locals — including a Māori chief in Rotorua — and even hung out with stage actors in Dunedin. The next morning? A sea lion decided I was too close to its beach.”
Martin, UB Libraries’ new library systems analyst as of March 2025, brings not just global curiosity but a wealth of technical experience to his role. Born in Rhode Island but raised in Buffalo since second grade, he holds a bachelor’s degree in computer information systems from Buffalo State University, where he also served as a developer/analyst for the Institute for Community Health Promotion and a lecturer in the Department of Computer Information Systems.
“I’ve spent most of my career supporting grant-funded research and interventions for disadvantaged populations,” he said. “From green energy for low-income communities to patient treatment planning, it was meaningful work. But the grant world can get hectic, and UB offered a more stable place to keep doing things I care about.”
Martin, part of UB Libraries’ server support team, helps to maintain and upgrade library technologies. He’s especially excited about work on the new Digital Asset Management (DAM) system, a project he describes as both “fun and interesting.”
When he’s not keeping library systems humming, you might find him reading Terry Pratchett, baking something from scratch, or rolling dice in a Dungeons & Dragons campaign.
While still new to university, Martin enjoys his new role within UB Libraries. “What I enjoy most about working here is the atmosphere and the team,” he said. “Everyone’s welcoming.”
And he doesn’t have to watch out for sea lions!