Freshly Minted: Marina “Mars” Brint

August 5, 2025

MLIS Candidate, Faculty of Information and Media Studies, Western University

Which information studies program are you attending?

I am attending Western University as a candidate in the Master of Library and Information Science program, graduating shortly in the 2025 Fall Convocation.

What are your current classes like? Which is your favourite so far, and why?

Currently, I am enrolled in classes that focus on accessibility, archives administration, digital humanities, information management, and science, technology, and medical information. In previous terms, I engaged in courses focusing on information behaviour, privacy and surveillance, readers’ advisory, collections management, and book history and preservation.

It is hard to decide on a singular favourite. Still, of the electives I have had the opportunity to take, digital humanities and book preservation were some of my favourite courses. Each of these courses provided me with a chance to explore an entirely new field and aspect of librarianship, allowing hands-on experiences with unique programs such as XML, GitHub, ArcGIS, or preservation approaches like repairing water damage, optimal conditions, and minor paper and binding repairs. I deeply appreciated the opportunity to work directly with emerging technologies and preservation approaches in a classroom setting, where I received exceptional and knowledgeable demonstrations and instruction from the professors.

What was it that initially drove you to librarianship?

Initially, during my BA I was studying education; however, I found throughout the program and eventually through my first library position that I was more interested in the processes of providing support to research, services, and the community. Seeing and participating in the reference work at my first position as a Student Library Assistant by giving support to my fellow peers brought a sense of deep accomplishment and fulfillment—it was this feeling and the team I had supporting me during that initial position that drove me to librarianship, in hopes of becoming someone who would provide even greater research support through knowledge sythesis and information preservation.

If you could work anywhere, and do anything with information, what would your dream job look like?

I’m deeply interested in the operations involved in the preparation, processing, and preservation of rare books and informational materials such as maps, artwork, artifacts, and more through physical and digital approaches. My dream job is to be a rare books and artifacts librarian or archivist for an archives and special collections at a museum or university with unique collections—I find the challenge to be exciting, and I enjoy unraveling the histories, values, and stories held within these primary source materials.

If someone were considering going to information studies, what would you advise them about?

Having prior experience within a library, gallery, or museum would be an asset, as it will offer preparatory experiences and foundational knowledge related to the content discussed within the courses and curriculum. Even in page positions, the information gained from this in-person experience will support understanding the theories and approaches discussed and will provide important insights into library operations.

What do you think is the most important aspect of being an information professional today?

Maintaining a deep sense of care and empathy in every aspect of your work, from the materials handled to the discussions with patrons or colleagues, it is essential to treat everything with an open mind and kindness, as you may not be aware of the contexts surrounding how a book was treated before its arrival or how a patron is feeling in that moment. Being open and empathetic is essential as it creates a welcoming environment for everyone and encourages community, collaboration, and creativity.