Marina Ito is the Librarian here at Newfields with our Library & Archives team. She has been with Newfields for two years…or long enough that books have taken over her office, including most of her desk!

What do you do at Newfields?

I manage the Stout Reference Library and Horticultural Society Library of over 120,000 items—everything from books (including rare and special ones), periodicals, and auction catalogs to databases, ephemera files, and museum and gallery publications from across the globe. My work includes acquisitions, collection development, programming support, and research assistance for Newfields staff, Docents, members, and the public. When people leave the library with new insights and return with new questions, I consider that a win in my book.

What education, work, or experience supports your role here?

I’ve worked in a variety of libraries—academic, public, and special—where I developed my skills in teaching information literacy, leading outreach initiatives, and conducting assessments. I also have a master’s degree in library science from Indiana University Bloomington. This combination of experience and education helps me connect people with the right resources and support the work that often happens behind the scenes at Newfields.

Are you working on something exciting right now?

Since we’ve expanded the library’s public hours to Thursdays from 1–5 PM, it’s been exciting to welcome a growing number of new and returning visitors. I’ve also been featuring themed resource displays, like new and current exhibitions-related titles, to highlight our holdings and provide curious visitors with a place to start exploring. We will be offering more programs in the library, so be sure to check Newfields’ Events Calendar and newsletters for the latest information!