Today's Hours:
By Michael Gardner '25
Kate Burt has worked at Framingham State University for eleven years and she is retiring this year. I had the opportunity to interview her about her experience working at FSU:
What is your name and where are you from?
My name is Kathleen Burt and I live in Rhode Island. My family calls me Kathy but my husband, friends, and co-workers call me Kate. Fun fact: My middle name is Lea (pronounced lei-ah - yes, like the Star Wars princess). Named after my grandmother - anyone who knows me knows how doubly-special the name is to me.
Where and when did you go to college and what was your major/minor? When did you graduate?
I'm a first-gen student but didn't go to college right after high school. While working a day job and raising a family, I enrolled in evening courses at the Community College of Rhode Island and earned an A.S. in Business (concentration in legal studies), an A.S. in Travel Tourism from Johnson & Wales University, and a B.A. in History from FSU.
Where did you work before Framingham State? Why did you choose FSU?
I was a legal assistant for a private practice law firm. When they closed their doors, I worked for a few years for one of their clients, Johnson & Wales University. For many years I was a paralegal for CVS Pharmacy where I worked in the real estate, trademark and HIPAA/privacy departments. When my position was eliminated, I knew I wanted to return to working with young people in a University setting. I learned of a job opening at Framingham State University, applied, and was hired to work as an Administrative Assistant for the Honors Program. A few years later, I moved over to the library in a full-time role and eventually became the library's Administrative Manager.
How long have you worked at Framingham State University?
I've been at FSU since 2013.
What were your main duties at the library?
My duties at the library were so varied. I was involved in many things: managing the main office, staff attendance/payroll, purchasing orders, budgets, expenses, inventory, supplies, furnishings, technology, contracts, bulletin boards, facilities requests, the RAMS Renew Space, study rooms, signage, room reservations, events, on-boarding new employees, employment paperwork for students and part-time contractors, the newsletter, social media, the website, and many, many other tasks, even including overseeing electrical work, carpet cleaning, soundproofing, and installation of UV film on the windows!
What was challenging and what was rewarding?
Time management was the most challenging: juggling my job responsibilities and the needs of 20+ staff members so that everything was accomplished timely, efficiently, and correctly. It was rewarding to contribute to and assist students in ways that enhance their education outside the classroom. For instance, I was very proud to be involved in bringing the RAMS Renew Space to life and watching how it continues to benefit the FSU campus community in such a positive way.
What is your favorite thing about FSU and/or the library?
I like the smaller size of FSU – it has more of a welcoming community environment feel than other campuses I've been on. I like that the library continually strives to offer amazing resources, informative events, and great customer service, not only for the university but also for the surrounding Framingham community.
How has the library changed over the years?
Even in the short time working in the library, I've seen lots of changes. I think the biggest and most beneficial change is the transition to digital communication - Zoom meetings and events, chatting online with a librarian, downloading eBooks, filling out e-forms, connecting in groups with Teams, etc.
What is something many people probably don't know about the library?
There are many people who work in the library who aren't "front-facing" who work hard to keep the library running. For instance, there's an Acquisitions team who acquire print and electronic material and a Digital Services team who manage the e-Resources (databases, eBooks, etc.).
Why do you think the library is such an important part of the campus community?
I think of the library as the hub of the campus. It provides a multitude and variety of resources and services to meet the educational, personal, and professional needs of the diverse FSU community. Whether they need to borrow a book or an iPad, research help, a study room, a place to meditate or de-stress, archive material, join a book club, or even a bite to eat, patrons can find it in the library.
What has been your favorite library-sponsored event?
I think my favorite event has been the recent Holocaust exhibition.
What will you miss the most about the library?
I will miss being part of a place that puts such a high value and importance on education, mental health, and community.
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