Have you ever wished for a master list of “those things”—sorted twelve different ways, cross-listed, and checked for duplication? So have we. And thanks to Mariah Newton at the Zalk Veterinary Medical Library, that wish is becoming reality.
Mariah, Library Specialist Sr., recently created a comprehensive spreadsheet mapping the Veterinary Medical Library’s reserve collection. This wasn’t just a list—it was a data-rich tool that captured which textbooks are used in which courses, by which instructors, in what formats, and how frequently. Her work unexpectedly launched a curriculum mapping project, giving the library team a powerful resource to analyze instructional periods, identify overlapping materials, and explore cost-saving opportunities.
This data also opens the door to deeper conversations with faculty and stakeholders about integrating library instruction at key points in the curriculum—ensuring students graduate as information-literate veterinarians. Future additions to the map will include textbook edition updates, faculty assignments, and connections to student organizations like SAVMA and journal clubs.