Library Associate II
Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar

Hello! I’m Amirah Al Sarraj, and I have been working as a Library Associate at Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar (CMU-Q) for the past two and a half years. My career was sparked by a volunteer role at the Museum of Islamic Art Library, where inventorying their rare Gastronomy Collection inspired me to pursue an MLIS from University College London – Qatar. Today, that foundational passion continues to drive my work at CMU-Q.

As a relative newcomer to the field, I sometimes encounter gaps between graduate school theory and the practical realities of serving an academic library. I chose to participate in the Mortenson Center Associates Program to help bridge these gaps, better understand the broader landscape of my profession, and possibly even identify a more specialized career path for myself. This year’s program also aligns well with one of my responsibilities: collecting and presenting data for evidence-based strategic planning.

Learning Goals

Data and Strategic Planning: To learn how to translate library data into meaningful stories and feedback mechanisms, guiding our services and clearly demonstrating the impact of our programming.

Emerging Technology and AI: To examine how libraries engage with AI, focusing on the practical competencies library associates need to assist students and support instruction in this area.

Networking for Professional Growth: To expand my understanding of librarianship by learning about my international colleagues and their diverse professional roles.

Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Final Thoughts