Karin Shank

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Employer: North Carolina Biotechnology Center

Occupation/title:  Research Librarian

Birthplace:  Harrisonburg , Virginia

Birthday:  June 4

Pets/children:  1 cat, Frankie

Most relaxing activity:  baking desserts or spending a hot day at the beach in the sun and water

Last good movie/concert/event I saw: I would have to say the last big event was seeing ABC's Extreme Makeover Home Edition being filmed in Raleigh . Not because I'm a big fan of the show, but because very deserving friends of mine were chosen to receive a new home, and the community building where our church meets was part of the makeover. It was amazing to see the behind the scenes production involved in a show like this.

Major accomplishment: Buying and maintaining a house of my own.

Favorite food group:  Asian food, and all things pasta. I could never survive an Atkins diet….

If I won the lottery, I would:  Actually, I have a moral stance against the lottery (insert self-righteous pause here). However, if I came into a lot of money some OTHER way, I'd pay off my house and other bills, help out my family, remodel my kitchen, give a bunch to charities, and travel around the world to eat and take cooking classes.

Favorite website:  www.allrecipes.com, imdb.com

Last good book I read:  The Man Who Ate the 747, by Ben Sherwood

Most influenced by: My dad the “renaissance man”, who graduated with an English major, and went on to be farmer, potter, and now baker. From his influence comes my inability to focus deeply on any one thing, which precipitated my career change from scientist to librarian.

If I weren't a librarian, I'd be:  A food-writer, chef, baker, caterer, or dietician – something involving my passion for food.

What I really like about my job is: The feeling that I'm part of something bigger by serving the biotech industry in the state. Projects where I get to pull together a wide range of information into something cohesive and useful.

My favorite SLA memory is: Discussions at an NCSLA networking lunch in RTP which resulted in my current job! Also, I loved the two annual SLA conventions I've attended in Toronto and Baltimore , and am looking forward to Denver 2007.

Positions I've held or work I've done for SLA : Sara Aull award selection committee and just started as a first year director.

The one thing I really hate to do in the library is: enforce rules/reprimand patrons

People would be surprised to know that I: Never went to a real movie theater until I was 18 – to see Jurassic Park .