Logan Walters Helps Power Daily Operations at UB Libraries

by DENISE WOLFE

As an Annex assistant in UB Libraries, Logan Walters balances a wide variety of responsibilities each day. From processing interlibrary loan requests in the Annex mailroom to scanning journal articles, pulling materials with an order picker from the stacks, and preparing for the upcoming Lockwood Library renovation, no two days look alike.

“Every day is different, and that’s what I enjoy,” Walters said.

Born in San Antonio, Texas, and raised partly in a nearby rural town, Walters moved to Buffalo in 2009 and has called the city home ever since. Childhood visits to grandparents in Louisiana added to a rich mix of experiences, but Buffalo ultimately became the place where his studies and career came together.

Originally a physics major, Walters eventually shifted to linguistics, graduating with a concentration in Japanese and a minor in math. “I realized that what I really wanted to do was become a librarian,” he said. “Once I made that decision, everything else started to fall into place.”

Hands-on experience in UB Libraries helped guide that choice. Beginning in 2018, Walters worked as a student assistant in the Map Collection. “Those jobs gave me a front-row seat to the impact librarians have,” Walters said. Conversations with librarians Erin Rowley and Jill Hackenberg proved especially meaningful. “They were so supportive when I was figuring out my future, and I credit them with helping me take librarianship seriously as a career path.”

While pursuing a master’s degree in library science, Walters worked as an instruction and outreach student assistant, supporting projects such as helping librarians introduce ENG 105 students to research through the library website. He also held a separate position at the Lockwood Library Services Desk and later returned to the Map Collection in 2024 for a comprehensive inventory project. 

Walters also served as an instruction and outreach student assistant at the Lockwood Circulation Desk while pursuing a master’s degree in library science. During that time, he returned to the Map Collection in 2024 for a comprehensive inventory project.

Walters especially finds gratification in connecting people. During the pandemic, he hosted weekly online exchange meetings that brought together Japanese and English speakers worldwide. The program gained enough momentum to be featured in a newspaper in Kobe, Japan. “It was really rewarding to create a space for people to stay connected when we were all so isolated,” Walters said.

Now back at UB Libraries as a full-time staff member, Walters continues to contribute beyond daily operations. He helps organize Student Library Engagement Workshop events and recently proposed a Halloween-themed program that is gaining traction.

Outside of work, Walters enjoys film photography, creative projects, movies, and maintaining an ever-growing book collection. Looking back, he credits his academic, professional, and personal experiences with shaping his outlook. “I’ve been through some challenges, but that only makes me more driven,” Walters said. “I try to make the most of each day.”