Team Player Keeps Law Library Running Smoothly

Beverly Galloway
Circulation Supervisor
Wiener-Rogers Law Library
Rebel Since: 2000

What You Do: I supervise a staff of two classified employees and anywhere from four to six student workers.

Challenges of the job: One is making sure that the library is adequately staffed during the long hours we are open. Monday through Thursday our hours are 7:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday is our shortest day and even then we are open 12 hours.

What brought you to UNLV: I had worked in the libraries on the Cheyenne campus of the College of Southern Nevada and at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency here on campus. When a full-time job opened up here at the law library, I jumped at it.

What keeps you here: I really like everyone I work with. It’s like it’s a family. The entire law school is just full of wonderful people. I just can’t imagine working in a library other than here.

Couldn’t do the job without: The wonderful staff I have.

Why being a people person is important: Many members of the public come in looking for legal advice and are disappointed when they find out we are not allowed to give advice. We tell them in a nice way and point them to resources the library has that might help them. And, when it is appropriate, we refer them to one of the school’s legal clinics.

People would be surprised: That I’m a grandmother. I have six grandchildren, all here in town — three girls and three boys. They range in age from 2 months to 22 years.

Campus connection: My oldest daughter, Tonya Thomas, is a two-time alum who earned a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s degree in accounting. She also worked in the Lied Library from 1998 to 2011.

Afternoon pick-me-up: A snack of almonds.

Dream vacation: I’m into photography so anywhere I can go and use my camera is a treat. I’ve been to Hawaii twice and can’t wait to go back. I would like to go to St. Thomas (U.S. Virgin Islands). I also have set a goal of visiting all 50 states.

What People Nominating Her for the Award Had to Say

In the nomination form, David McClure, head of research and curriculum services and assistant professor, wrote:

“She exemplifies what it means to be a ‘team player,’ through her outstanding job performance, attitude, and concern for UNLV and the law library. For example, we recently had to relocate several collections in the library due to construction, and Beverly spearheaded the effort to move thousands of volumes within a very short period of time. Despite such a daunting task, Beverly approached the project willingly and without complaint, and she did a superb job in supervising the student workers who assisted in shifting so many books.

“Her professionalism and understanding is reflected in her consistently excellent job performance, the manner in which she interacts with the library’s various patron groups, and the training she provides to her staff and the students.”