January 18, 2006
Mr. Brian Mikesell has been a member of the
St. John’s University family since 2000, joining the faculty of the
University Libraries after completing his Master’s Degree in
Library and Information Science from the Palmer School of Library
and Information Science at Long Island University. His
educational background includes bachelor's degrees in both
Folklore and Fine Arts (with a concentration in Photography) from
Indiana University, and a master’s degree in Photography from New
York University. Prior to employment at St. John’s, he worked
in conservation and reference at the Bobst Library of New York
University.
Mr. Mikesell is presently the Director of
Systems and eServices for the University Libraries. The Department
of Systems and eServices supports a wide range of technology-based
services for students and faculty – from eReserves to the
Libraries' Integrated Library System (Voyager). In his current
position, his responsibilities include staff supervision,
coordinating the development and deployment of online library
services, managing library technology projects and implementations,
as well as the Libraries’ web site, and investigating emerging
technological advances in the field to assess their utility for
library applications. Mr. Mikesell previously served as the
Distance Learning Librarian and the Manager of eServices for the
University Libraries before assuming his current position, offering
him a broad understanding of the operations of various library
divisions.
Beyond his departmental responsibilities, Mr.
Mikesell serves as the University Libraries’ liaison to the
Department of Fine Arts in St. John’s College. His duties
include material selection in the fine arts, providing research and
reference assistance to department faculty and students as
requested, and keeping faculty members informed of new library
resources and services. He has also served as a member of the
adjunct faculty in the Fine Arts Department and in the Division of
Library and Information Science. He works with the Center for
Teaching and Learning Fellows on their various research projects,
and provides instruction in information literacy to Discover New
York classes. Mr. Mikesell is a member of the Exhibits Committee
for the Queens Campus Library as well.
In addition to his professional duties at St.
John’s, Mr. Mikesell serves as the associate editor for the
journal Information Technology and Disabilities and is a
member of the Board of Editors for the Journal of Library &
Information Services in Distance Learning. He is also
actively involved in a number of committees of the Westchester
Academic Library Directors Organization (WALDO), including the
WALDO/Endeavor Library Delegates [WELD], the WELD Steering
Committee, and the Endeavor Web OPAC Committee. Mr. Mikesell
also contributes to the library literature through his many
publications, such as his article entitled “Anything, Anytime,
Anywhere: Proxy Servers, Shibboleth, and the Dream of a Digital
Library” in the Journal of Library Administration (Vol.
41, No. 1/2, 2004, p. 315-326). His research interests
include human-computer interaction, how libraries can use
technology to make research less difficult, and the use of
technology to streamline and improve internal library
processes.
Beyond his many other skills and talents, Mr.
Mikesell is an accomplished photographer. His photographic
illustrations are featured in the book Landmarks of New York
III by Barbaralee Diamonstein (New York: Harry N. Abrams,
1998). He cultivated his interest in bookbinding while
working in book and paper conservation at Indiana University’s
Lilly Library and New York University’s Bobst Library.
He is also an avid gardener, receiving a certificate in
horticulture from the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and the
Berkshire Botanical Garden.