UTA Libraries Staff Spotlight: Lauren Stutler

Throughout Lauren Stutler's career as an educator, she has worked to provide students with the tools for success. 

 

Now as the new director of Creative Spaces and Services at UTA Libraries, which contains the FabLab, Studios, and The Basement, Lauren is continuing that mission of prioritizing student achievement. To accomplish that goal, she looks to build upon CSS's strong foundation that is made up of the FabLab, The Studios and The Basement. 

"The most pressing thing that I would like to take on is unifying ourselves as a department because they are used to being three separate areas," Lauren said. "So, much of our focus needs to be on how to collaborate more. Using all of our strengths to create something that goes above and beyond where we are now." 

Lauren stated that CSS is doing a great job connecting with students, being a resource, and a place where people feel at home. However, there is a lot of untapped potential to add more services to meet the needs of a growing university community. 

"The great thing about CSS and what makes it different from other maker spaces that we have on campus is it follows the library theory that it is open for everyone," she said. "The spaces at the library are not just for the people in the engineering or architecture departments. Everyone that has an interest can come in and learn. I love being a part of that." 

Before coming to UTA, Lauren spent 13 years with the Keller Independent School District, teaching students from second graders to high school seniors. 

"It is interesting to see former students walking around because I have been in education for so long. Even those elementary school students that I had long ago are now seniors in high school," Lauren said. "They will come up and say, 'hi.' I still have kiddos reaching out to me with book recommendations." 

Lauren pointed to a file folder on a bookshelf in her office. That folder contained letters from former students who expressed their thanks for helping them in their education journey. She noted the letters remind her of her impact on people's lives. 

A copy of The Complete Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe is near the file folder of letters on the bookshelf. Lauren shared that Poe's short story "The Tell-Tale Heart” is one of her favorite pieces of literature. 

"I remember reading that in English class. Growing up, I didn't think that I liked reading, and I know that is a really weird thing for a librarian to say," Lauren said. "But I remember reading that and could see it and hear that heart. That was the first time I was completely immersed in a book." 

She added that she loves the gothic feel when you are reading one of Poe's works. 

UTA Libraries looks forward to seeing how Lauren will take CSS to the next level and transform the library into an even better place. Welcome aboard.