Sarah Kostelecky improves access to Native American collections.
As a program specialist, I focus on enhancing access to Native American collections for people researching Native American topics through the development and revision of subject headings.
In my work, I gather information from library colleagues, including Native American librarians and archivists, as well as from tribal community members. This is part of the research needed to revise existing U.S. Indigenous headings to modern and accurate usage.
My day might include attending a meeting with people working in tribal public libraries in New Mexico, searching library catalogs for subject headings on specific Indigenous books, or connecting with my co-workers with questions about subject heading proposals from catalogers across the U.S. on Indigenous topics.
How did you prepare for your position?
Growing up in my tribal community of Zuni Pueblo in New Mexico, I loved to read. Though my first job at 13 was at our tribal public library (where I got to ride in the bookmobile!), I didn’t think about a library career.
At the University of Arizona, I was a student employee in the museum library with encouraging supervisors who suggested I attend library school. After graduating with my bachelor’s degree in sociology and a minor in American Indian studies, I started my graduate program in Tucson. I was part of the first cohort of Knowledge River, a program to recruit, support and graduate Indigenous and Latino information professionals.
Once I graduated, I returned to New Mexico, where I have worked in a variety of libraries. Those include public and tribal college libraries and a university library, where I am an associate professor. My experience includes engaging with tribal communities on digitization projects, supporting people conducting research on Indigenous topics and creating metadata for Indigenous digital collections.
My 20 years in the field of librarianship as a Native American librarian — we represent 2% of the profession, according to the American Library Association — has driven my need to have Indigenous knowledge accurately represented in all sections of a library.
What are some of your standout projects?
As a newer employee (less than a year), I am proud that I have convened and lead a group of Indigenous experts who contribute their knowledge to the subject heading projects.
While the Library has collected and shared Native American stories and resources as part of its mission, mine is the first position focused solely on Indigenous collections or services. This work fits with the Library’s responsibility to present accurate and up-to-date information about its collections and accurate access to those collections.
What have been your favorite experiences at the Library?
In September 2024, the Library hosted national librarians and archivists from Canada, New Zealand and Australia to discuss Indigenous collections and services. Attending the visit, I was inspired to hear about efforts around the globe to respectfully steward Indigenous information. The Library is an institution that can convene these sorts of vital conversations, I would not have had an opportunity to connect with these colleagues without serving in this role.