“When I was in graduate school at UCLA, I was told, “It is not our job to teach you how to Be a librarian. It is our job to teach you how to Think like a librarian. That way, you can walk into any library and figure out what you need to do.” Vis-a-vis, it is my job to teach you how to think like a researcher, so you can create a strategy to research any topic.”

Erica Bennett

Systems Librarian, Fullerton College Library

In the course of a typical work day you might see Systems Librarian Erica Bennett working with students at the Reference Desk or in the 827 Classroom, in her office or in the book stacks developing the Mathematics, Business, Theatre Arts, and Physical Science collections. She also builds and maintains the Library websites, and coordinate the use of library technology and software. Additionally, she facilitates Library 100: Introduction to Research for honors students.

Professor Bennett received her Master’s in Library Science from UCLA in 2005. While working full-time at Cypress College, she worked two mornings a week at the Long Beach City College campuses, and at Cerritos College and UCI Langson Library before achieving her full-time faculty position at Fullerton College in August of 2006. She received tenure in 2010.

Before becoming a librarian, Professor Bennett worked for nearly ten years in dramatic television production on such shows as The Young Riders, Under Suspicion, and The Big Easy, and she is also a playwright. Her short play for students El Primer Dia de Clases was videotaped in production in March of 2009. The final film Mendez v. Westminster: Families for Equality continues to air on KOCE-TV, the OC Channel. Her short play, “A Waffle Doesn’t Cure Insomnia” was published in the Best American Short Plays 2011-2012.

Families for Equality film
Families for Equality film trailer

A dvd may be acquired from the Fullerton College Foundation at info@foundationfc.com or call (714) 525-5651 to request copy for a small donation.

Copies of the dvd are on reserve at the Fullerton College Library, and available for check-out with a student ID card.

Pathways to Progress: Issues and Advances in Latino Librarianship
Professor Bennett’s historiography, “California Ethnic and Multicultural Archives (CEMA): The First Twenty Years”, is included in ABC-CLIOs print publication Pathways to Progress: Issues and Advances in Latino Librarianship. John L. Ayala and Salvador Guerena, Editors.
El Primer Dia de Clases
Professor Bennett’s historiography, “California Ethnic and Multicultural Archives (CEMA): The First Twenty years”, is included in ABC-CLIOs print publicationPathways to Progress: Issues and Advances in Latino Librarianship. John L. Ayala and Salvador Guerena, Editors.
A Waffle Doesn’t Cure Insomnia was published in the Best American Short Plays 2011-2012. William W. Demastes, Editor. The library’s copy is located on the 2nd floor at PN6120.A4 B44 2011-2012.