CARLISLE, Pa. — Heather Shumaker was named acquisitions and budget specialist for the H. Laddie Montague Jr. Law Library at Penn State’s Dickinson Law.
In her new role, Shumaker works with the library team to provide print and electronic resources to meet the needs of Dickinson Law’s students and faculty. As the acquisitions and budget specialist, her duties include collaborating with the law librarians for collection development, locating and ordering new resources, processing invoices, maintaining the library’s budget, and helping with various library projects.
“I love the variety of tasks and learning opportunities that come with serving patrons in a library,” said Shumaker. “I enjoy research, and as a detail-oriented person, I appreciate the structure and order of libraries. The changing technology always keeps me on my toes, but I like the challenge. At Dickinson Law, I now can combine two passions—library and law.”
Shumaker was a school librarian for 16 years, including spending four years at Carlisle High School—one of which she served as the Department Chair for the District—and most recently at Harrisburg Academy, a college preparatory independent school. Her experience includes managing library budgets, acquiring print and electronic materials for her library collections, designing websites, writing blog posts, and teaching sessions on technology and research. She refers to herself as a “21st century traditionalist librarian” because she believes in combining traditional materials and the system of libraries with the ever-changing electronic resources and technology necessary for more current information.
“Heather will bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the Montague Law Library,” noted Gail Partin, librarian and director of the H. Laddie Montague Jr. Law Library. “We are looking forward to capitalizing on her talents as we acquire new library resources and implement emerging technologies to support the research needs of the Dickinson Law community.”
Shumaker earned a bachelor of humanities degree in secondary education/English from Penn State Harrisburg. She also holds a master’s degree in library science.
Shumaker is a long-time resident of Perry County, and now resides in Shermans Dale, Pennsylvania. Along with her husband, she is an avid motorcyclist and enjoys boating, hiking and many outdoor activities. For her reading pleasure, she favors classic literature, memoirs, realistic fiction and historical nonfiction.