Caltech Library News

Welcome to Twila Smith, Our New Digital Technology Development Librarian!

The Caltech Library is pleased to share that Twila Smith has joined us as our new Digital Technologies Development Librarian. Twila brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in both web development and project management and over time, she will take the lead on managing our web presence and other customer-facing services. Her skills complement those of the rest of the developer team very well, so we are well positioned to meet the challenges of a constantly changing landscape. Twila agreed to answer some questions about her new position.

Could you give us an introduction to what a Digital Technologies Development Librarian does?
I help coordinate the online presence for Caltech Library, with a focus on usability, user experience, design, front-end development, and project management. I work closely with colleagues across the library to make sure our digital tools are user-friendly and meet the needs of Caltech’s research and teaching community.

What inspired you to apply to this position?
Web development in higher education is a passion of mine. Caltech’s reputation for innovation was a big draw, and I knew I’d have the opportunity to work with a talented team and grow my skill set. 

What are some of the positions you've previously held that prepared you for this role?
The role that prepared me the most was leading the web team at the University of Oklahoma Libraries. It was an incredible opportunity to hone my skills. I also have worked as an independent web developer for many years, and as a project manager and user experience researcher at a web development agency. I think I’ve done just about every role related to web development over the last 20 years.

What does a day in the life of a Digital Technologies Development Librarian look like?
Each day looks a little different, but it often involves collaborating with colleagues, troubleshooting issues with our websites or tools, and looking for ways to improve the experience for our users. I spend time learning from the team, identifying areas we can refine, and helping move projects forward.

What are you looking forward to at the Library?
I’m excited to learn from my colleagues and contribute to projects that make research more accessible and easier to navigate. I’m especially looking forward to helping improve the user experience across our platforms and supporting new tools that help researchers do their work more effectively.

Please join us in welcoming Twila to the Caltech Library!