People Spotlights

Student Spotlights

Blending law and librarianship to support the UB community
2/2/26
Blending his legal training with librarianship, Matthew Walker brings empathy, research expertise and a steady presence to support the Charles B. Sears Law Library community.
Learning by Doing
1/5/26
Graduate student assistant Jordan Stanford has long been drawn to libraries. Now a student worker in the University Libraries, he’s contributing to projects that bring those historical materials to life for others.
Student Spotlight: Afifa Roja
10/14/25
Friendly, determined and patient. That’s how Afifa Roja, a third-year neuroscience major at UB, describes herself.
It All Happens Here
6/10/25
From the first rush of students in the morning to late-night study sessions, UB Libraries are alive with energy, ideas and innovation.
Sharing Knowledge: A Student Spotlight
5/28/25
Niko Martinez-Saroff is pursuing a master’s degree in school librarianship at UB and will graduate in fall 2026.

After 44 years, Carol Rees is retiring
2/2/26
After 44 years with the University Libraries, Carol Rees retired on Jan. 29, 2026, leaving a legacy of persistence, expertise and dedication to connecting users with hard-to-find resources.
Naciah Bell: Keeping Library Spaces Safe and Secure
1/27/26
Ensuring that the University Libraries remain safe, welcoming spaces for learning requires experience, vigilance and a presence that is often unseen. Naciah Bell carries out much of this work behind the scenes.
A Little Dot Above the “I”: A Life in Libraries and Interlibrary Loan
1/13/26
Some careers choose us as much as we choose them. For Joshua Gordon, what began as a college job to pay for "gas and shoes" evolved into a calling.
Bill Offhaus: Preserving UB’s past, one question at a time
12/30/25
If you’ve ever needed to confirm a detail about UB’s history—or gone looking for just the right anecdote to bring it to life—chances are Offhaus had the answer. And if he didn’t, he knew exactly where to find it.
Meet Our Visiting Assistant Librarians
12/16/25
VALs play an essential role in the UB Libraries, offering fresh ideas, specialized knowledge, and much-needed support for project-based initiatives throughout the libraries.

Molly Maloney Honored for Exceptional Service with Pillars of Pride Award
1/20/26
The award recognizes staff members whose work reflects the university’s core values, including excellence, service, inclusion and innovation.
UB Librarians Honored at Celebration of Excellence
11/4/25
Deborah Chiarella, Ophelia Morey and Pamela Rose exemplify the Libraries’ commitment to excellence, service and community impact.
Jake Carlson Earns Tenure at UB Libraries, Advances Data Services and Collections Strategy
8/12/25
The decision recognizes his national leadership in data curation and his strategic contributions to research services.
Carolyn Klotzbach-Russell Awarded Tenure at UB Libraries
8/5/25
Klotzbach-Russell has been awarded tenure in recognition of her outstanding contributions to librarianship, scholarship and service.
Sara Loviza Earns SHRM Certification
8/5/25
Please join us in congratulating Loviza on this outstanding professional accomplishment.