#WeAreUAZLibraries is a bi-weekly series that introduces our staff on Facebook and Instagram. Meet Saad Dagher!

What do you do?

I work behind the scenes with Technical Services in the Delivery, Description, & Acquisitions department. I am involved in cataloging foreign language materials as well as collaborating with the Access & Information Services department to process damaged materials. I also collaborate with Content & Collections and Facilities, Shipping, Bindery, & Collections Maintenance on collection maintenance, deselection work and material withdrawal. I oversee the JSTOR and West projects, support the Research & Learning librarian in Middle Eastern Studies collection development, support interlibrary loan with foreign language article translation as needed, and supervise student workers.

How long have you worked for University Libraries?

I’ve worked for the Libraries for 27 years.

What’s your favorite library resource or service and why?

My favorite resources are course-driven and patron-driven acquisitions. With the course-driven acquisitions, we partner with UA Bookstores and Content & Collections to purchase as many ebook copies of required textbooks as we can. Doing this helps us ease the financial burden of purchasing course materials for our students. Patron-driven acquisitions involves purchasing specific books requested by customers. It’s very satisfying to know exactly what customers want or need and to be able to get it in their hands.

What would people be surprised to know about you?

I am an international food award-winning chef.

Saad's was originally posted on social media on April 19, 2019.

Read more staff stories to get to know the people behind UA Libraries.