Madelyn Shackelford Washington

University of Houston Libraries welcomes Madelyn Shackelford Washington as the new coordinator of the Music Library.

Please describe your role at UH Libraries and talk about some of your professional goals. 

I am pleased to be joining the family of UH Libraries to plan and administer the programs and daily operations of the Music Library. In addition to responsibilities for collection development, instruction, outreach, and research support, I will also contribute to projects that advance the UH Libraries’ Strategic Plan. Libraries support and introduce new modes of learning, and I am most interested in exploring the extent to which the Moores School of Music and the UH performing arts community wishes to engage with immersive technologies. I would also like to leverage the power of partnerships and collaboration to enrich services and expand the impact of the Music Library–thinking mostly of the University Career Services, I would love to create some ACRL Framework-influenced standalone workshops tailor-made for Houston’s performing arts community. 

Please share a bit about your background and interests. How do these inspire and shape your approach as a librarian? 

I am an active performer and third generation educator. I make it my business to ensure that my students employ their performing arts education in a global society by providing coherent, consistent and intentional co-curricular support that informs their thinking about issues that have shaped our time. 

It is my hope that they live, thrive, and excel, in the performing arts as a career. 

What is your first impression of the University? 

Supportive. Friendly. “Truly Scrumptious” 

What is your favorite hobby?  

I love swimming. I’ve recently started saying that swimming is an instant attitude changer. As long as I am near a pool or a large body of water in which I can freely take a dip … then life is perfect.