When Katie Pierce looks at a mountain of data, they don't just see numbers— only a story waiting to be told. As UTA Libraries' new Assessment Librarian, Pierce is driven to uncover and share the narratives behind how the Libraries support students, faculty, staff, researchers and the broader campus community. 

"When I worked at Tarleton State as the scholarly communication and open education librarian, I became interested in open data and the data management side of scholarly communication," Pierce said. "I like being able to capture data and organize it to better tell a story. You find interesting tidbits you didn't know were there—I really enjoy that process." 

At UTA Libraries, Pierce is leading projects that illuminate how our spaces and resources are used. One of Pierce's current efforts is a space audit to understand how visitors navigate our buildings, how spaces are utilized, and what improvements can ensure every area meets the evolving needs of our users. 

Pierce’s also preparing to launch a comprehensive collection assessment—an initiative designed to evaluate how well our collections align with the research and learning needs of UTA's students, faculty and staff. By turning raw data into actionable insight, Pierce helps the Libraries make data-informed decisions that improve services, enhance user experiences and support the university's mission. 

The connection to UTA started long before Pierce joined the Libraries. As a child, Pierce watched the university positively impact the lives of those closest to them. 

"When I was a kid, my mom graduated with a bachelor's degree from UTA. So, I know-how much the university positively impacts nontraditional students," Pierce said. "I saw firsthand the changes it made in my mom's life and the life of my best friend who came here." 

Pierce hopes to make the same life-changing impact through this work. By sifting through data and evaluating trends, Pierce supports UTA Libraries' strategic goals of student success, research excellence and community engagement. 

Beyond the Numbers 

Outside the office, Pierce’s curiosity and creativity extend into other areas. 

"I do a little bit of everything," Pierce said. "I have three rescue dogs and a cat. I recently picked up running—I'm very slow, but my goal this year is to run a 5K. I also love painting, drawing, reading, of course, woodworking and creative writing.” 

Though new and challenging, running has become essential to Pierce self-care. "At first, I hated it—it was horrible," Pierce laughed. "But I found that I was calmer, slept better and felt much more focused. Now I seek out new parks and trails because I get bored easily and love exploring new places." 

Pierce’s other passion is tattoos. At last count,  Pierce had over 20, and sees each one as a piece of living art.  

"I love art," Pierce said. "I have an artist's palette, an octopus, and even a bicycle with a carnation in honor of Freddie Mercury and Oscar Wilde. I enjoy finding new tattoo artists and exploring their styles." 

Each tattoo tells a story, just like the data Pierce works with. For Pierce, whether it's analyzing library usage, exploring creative expression or running a new trail, it all comes back to uncovering meaning and making connections. 

"At the end of the day, I want the work I do to make a difference," Pierce said. "If the data I collect helps a student find the space they need to succeed or helps a faculty member get the resources for their research, then I know I've done something worthwhile." 

Through the passion for storytelling, eye for detail and drive to improve library services, Katie Pierce is helping shape a more informed, responsive and engaged UTA Libraries—one data point at a time.