Staff and Contact Us
Each member of the Blegen Library staff has a core area of responsibility, but each also interacts with the users of the library in a variety of ways: face-to-face, on the telephone, and by e-mail. In the interest of encouraging the users of the Blegen to take advantage of their expertise and assistance, here are short descriptions of each member:
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), Head Librarian
Karen Bohrer came to the Blegen Library in October 2008 after more than six years at the American College of Thessaloniki where she was the founding Director of that institution’s Bissell Library. Ms. Bohrer has been an active member of the American Library Association for many years and has over two decades of practical experience in book and journal acquisition, reference and user services, technical services, electronic resources and library management. She is an alumna of St. John’s College in Annapolis, Maryland and, after finishing her MSLS at the Catholic University of America, she started her career at the Chicago Public Library. In 1984, she moved back to Connecticut, where she grew up, and held a variety of increasingly senior posts at libraries across the state. She is also a member of the Association of College and Research Libraries.
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), Library Assistant
Maria-Anastasia started working at the Blegen Library in 2011 and provides support for several library operations such as acquisitions, binding and cataloging. She is responsible for the processing of materials and is always happy to assist members and visitors. Maria-Anastasia graduated in 2009 from the TEI in Thessaloniki with a degree in Librarianship and Information Systems. In 2010, she completed her master’s degree in management at the International Hellenic University where her thesis was on improving the organizational climate and skill level for Greek academic librarians. She has volunteered at the libraries of Anatolia College and at the archives of the Theagenio Hospital in Thessaloniki. She also did an internship in the UK at the University of Bath’s library. In addition to Greek, she speaks English and a little French.
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), Secretary
Susanna Ipirotis has been employed at the American School since September 2003. Until July 2005 she was a receptionist, and since then has been serving dual duty as the Blegen Library Secretary and as the booking clerk for Cotsen Hall (under the supervision of Tellos Panos). In the Blegen, Susanna performs a variety of tasks including providing orientation tours, general assistance to readers, and processing new serials. She speaks Greek and English as well as some German and Japanese.
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), Collection Development Librarian
Jeremy Ott joined the staff of the Blegen Library in November 2011 after spending four years in Athens as a member of the ASCSA beginning with his Regular Member year in 2005-2006. He earned a BA in 2002 from Wabash College with a double major in Classics and Psychology. In 2004, he went on to take an MA in Art History and Archaeology at New York University’s Institute of Fine Arts, where he is completing his doctoral thesis on Corinth’s Late Antique burials. Jeremy has obtained substantial excavation experience through a combined eleven seasons of fieldwork at the Athenian Agora, Corinth, Priniatikos Pyrgos (Crete), and Aphrodisias (Turkey). His background in library work is also extensive: he has worked or volunteered in a variety of library and archival settings including the American Research Center in Sofia, the New York University Grey Fine Arts Library, and the archive of the Aphrodisias Excavations. At the Blegen Library, Jeremy is responsible for the selection and acquisition of materials, maintenance of the collection and for oversight of the publications exchange program. He also provides research assistance to members and readers. He speaks English, German, some Greek, and a little Bulgarian.
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), Cataloging Librarian
Eleni Sourligka joined the staff of the Blegen Library in January 2011. She is responsible for descriptive and authority cataloging and provides services to members and readers as well. Eleni received her degree in Library Science in 1996 and she is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Cultural Management from the Open University of Greece. She has also studied music, Greek palaeography and art history. She has extensive professional experience in bibliographic services and has worked for organizations in both the public and private sectors including the “Lilian Voudouri” Music Library, Athens School of Fine Arts Library, Info-Quest S.A., and the Athens 2004 Organizing Committee. Eleni speaks Greek, English, French, Italian and has a basic knowledge of Dutch.
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), Assistant Librarian
Maria Tourna has been working at the Blegen Library since July 2000. She has a B.A. in archaeology, received in 1997 from the University of Athens. She has participated in excavation projects with the 2nd Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities and with the Ephorate of Palaeoanthropology and Caves. During her first two years in the Blegen she served as a Library Assistant, working mostly with the Newspaper clipping files project and with various general tasks. From 2002 until 2006 she was the Secretary in the Blegen Library and her duties included visitors and members services, orientations, preparation of new books, and working with the card catalogue. As soon as Aleph software was implemented she started working on the online catalogue (retrospective corrections and additions of missing records). In 2006 she became Assistant Librarian, and is taking on responsibility of management and cataloguing of serials and their systemization. She continues to provide reference services and assistance to visitors and members. Maria is enrolled in the Postgraduate Distance Learning Program in Information and Library Studies (M.Sc. Econ./Diploma) at University of Aberystwyth (Wales). She speaks Greek, English, and Italian.