Contact Us

Associate Professor Rita S. Patteson was appointed Director of the Armstrong Browning Library on September 1, 2009. This is merged with her duties as Librarian/Curator of Manuscripts, a position held since 1995. As Director, she is responsible for the overall operation of the Library, the planning of cultural events, and budgetary procedures. She continues to seek and purchase original materials for the collection, overseeing their preparation for use and fulfilling photoduplication and reference requests. Other assignments include serving as liaison for digitization projects and for the updating of the in-house and online databases that enhance Browning research. She has served on two editorial boards: The Works of Elizabeth Barrett Browning (co-editor of volume 5, Pickering & Chatto, 2010) and The Complete Works of Robert Browning (co-editor of volume 12, Ohio University Press, 2001). Her career at the Library began in 1971 as administrative assistant to director Jack W. Herring. She received her MLS (1995) from Texas Woman's University.
Telephone: 254.710.4967; Email: Rita Patteson

Associate Librarian Cynthia A. Burgess is the Librarian/Curator of Books and Printed Materials, a position she has held since 1995 after receiving her MLIS degree from the University of Texas. Joining the Library in 1988 under Roger Brooks, she was the chief tour guide of the collection and event coordinator for the building. As Curator, she works diligently to increase the print holdings of the collection, oversees the Library's reading room, and handles hundreds of reference questions. Her special project was to serve from 2000 to 2007 as liaison between the donors and Willet Hauser Architectural Glass in the production of six stained glass windows in the Cox Reception Hall. She served as an associate editor for The Works of Elizabeth Barrett Browning (Pickering & Chatto, 2010). Currently, Cynthia works closely with the Green Scholars Initiative faculty and students as they study manuscripts and papyri that are on temporary deposit at the Armstrong Browning Library.
Telephone: 254.710.4959; Email: Cynthia Burgess

Professor Avery T. Sharp, Librarian and Museum Coordinator, came to the Armstrong Browning Library in 2002 from his post as Music Librarian at Moody Library during Mairi Rennie's tenure as director. He updates the Library's social media pages, recently prepared a souvenir booklet of the Library that is marketed through the ABL Gift Gallery, continually searches for new items to add to the Browning music collection and database, and is always available for special tours of the Library and its collections. Avery received both his PhD and MLS degrees from the University of Iowa.
Telephone: 254.710.4964; Email: Avery Sharp

Jessica M. McAdoo is the Public Relations and Facilities Supervisor. Her duties include scheduling and coordinating events held in the Library and overseeing daily operations of the public areas of the building. She oversees the production of the Library's bi-annual newsletter, manages the Gift Gallery, and supervises the part-time hosts of the Library and the work-study students assigned to the main floor. Often she gives extended tours to visiting school groups and senior adults and keeps the Library open for after-hour and special events. Jessica received a BA in Journalism from Baylor University.
Telephone: 254.710.4960; Email: Jessica McAdoo

Christi Klempnauer, Administrative Coordinator for the Library and assistant to the director, started in this position in 2006 after serving as Assistant to the Curators for five years. She received her Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences in Child and Family Studies from Baylor in December 2011. She keeps the Library running smoothly by handling all the financial details; maintaining office records, mailing lists, and supplies; and has also revamped the ABL web site.
Telephone: 254.710.4968; Email: Christi Klempnauer

Melvin H. Schuetz, Assistant to the Curators, assists the Curators by supervising the Library Services area on the third floor. His primary responsibility for the circulation of library materials insures prompt and efficient service to patrons. His activities also include hiring, training, and supervising three student assistants; preparing the schedule for servicing the Library Services desk; filling all ILL requests; and fielding many of the patron's reference questions.
Telephone: 254.710.4314; Email: Melvin Schuetz

Library Hosts Martha Ervin, Patricia Harvey, Gertrude Kousz, and Mary Rodriguez work half-days and greet visitors, students, and scholars and help keep the contents of the building secure.