What makes a great experiential learning librarian? A lifetime of experience shaped by the places and people they have met. That is what makes Juliana Espinosa an ideal match as UTA Libraries' new experiential learning librarian.  
 

Transforming classroom lessons into hands-on experiences is what excites Espinosa most about her role. Working closely with faculty, she helps connect students to the Libraries’ resources through innovative curriculum design, enriching their academic journeys in meaningful ways. 

Espinosa’s path to this role is as dynamic as her current work. Previously serving as a student success librarian at the University of Houston–Clear Lake, she recalls the moment she discovered the job posting for UTA Libraries. 

“I was really fascinated by the idea of experiential learning and that a campus would dedicate itself to that initiative,” Espinosa said. “I love to learn and thought this position would be a great opportunity to do something new and different while making an impact.” 

Her dedication to student success has been a constant throughout her career. Before becoming a librarian, Espinosa served as an academic advisor at several universities nationwide, guiding countless students through their educational pursuits. She also explored the field of museumship while working at Boston's Museum of African American History, further deepening her love for education and discovery. 

However, her passion for libraries is rooted in her childhood in Los Angeles. 

“I grew up in Los Angeles, and there was a public library, the Wiseburn Library, down the street from our house,” Espinosa said. “My parents are wonderful people who firmly believe in public libraries, and they gave me free rein at the library to explore.” 

Espinosa earned her Master of Library Science degree from San José State University in 2012. Over the past five years, she has worked in various academic library roles, each time focusing on the intersection of student success and research. At UTA Libraries, she sees her role as vital to achieving the strategic goals of fostering student success and advancing  

research and innovation. 

“I see my role here as student success and research-focused. I feel that everything we are doing as a team is about helping students and researchers learn and grow through action,” she said. “Through this process, students and researchers will walk away feeling better prepared and eager to engage with the Libraries’ staff and connect with our resources here.” 

Espinosa’s love of travel further fuels her work as an experiential learning librarian. Her global adventures have allowed her to study local history, visit museums, and build meaningful relationships across cultures. 

“I studied abroad in Sweden for a year in college and had the great opportunity to see much of Europe. A year allowed me to get ingrained in the culture and society. I learned Swedish while I was there. It is an incredible experience,” Espinosa said. “I still regularly go back to Sweden when I get the chance to visit friends and for special occasions like weddings and birthdays.” 

As she settles into her new role, Espinosa expressed her gratitude for the warm welcome she has received from the UTA Libraries team and the campus community. Moving from a campus of 8,000 students to one serving more than 41,000 has been a significant shift, but she is eager to rise to the challenge. 

With the spring semester underway, Espinosa is excited to serve students, researchers, faculty, and the public in their quest for knowledge. Her passion, coupled with her commitment to experiential learning, promises to leave a lasting impact on the UTA Libraries and the broader campus community.