Joe Kraus, University of Denver, USA

Joe Kraus, Science Librarian, Penrose Library, University of Denver, USA

Q: What led you into your chosen profession?

A: When I was an undergraduate student at Beloit College in the late 1980s, I was a work-study assistant at the circulation desk of the library, and I enjoyed helping people find the information they needed. After graduating with a BS in physics, I worked at a telescope manufacturing firm called Astro-Physics (www.astro-physics.com), but after a couple of years in the business, I knew that was not going to be my career. In the early 1990s, I was living in Maryland and I learned that the University of Maryland-College Park had an ALA Accredited Library School. The Internet and the Web were just starting to explode in popularity, and I was excited to learn science and engineering reference skills that took advantage of the new-fangled Internet.

Q: What book are you reading right now?

A:I am reading Einstein's Enigma or Black Holes in My Bubble Bath by C V Vishveshwara in preparation for the Physics-Astronomy-Mathematics Division Book Discussion Group session at the SLA Conference in Denver.

Q: Who do you admire the most (past or present) and why?

A: I'd have to say my wife and my mom. I admire essentially every female human since they have the stamina to give live birth to their young.

Q: What was the first and last music record you bought?

A: The first record I ever bought? It might have been the 45rpm record of Wipe Out or Disco Duck by Rick Dees. Most recently, I bought the new Rush CD, Snakes and Arrows, on its first day of release, May 1, 2007. I have tickets to see them in concert at Red Rocks on August 8th.

Q: If you could have any career other than your chosen profession, what would you choose?

A: I'd consider a career in sports or nature photography. If I worked for a newspaper, It would be cool to get press access to sporting events throughout the Denver metro area. I'd also consider baseball or golf, but my limited physical abilities might keep me from earning very much money – I am guessing $0.00/year.

Q: If you could have dinner with any three people, past or present, who would they be?

A: How about Einstein, Richard Feynman and Vera Rubin. I have some nagging questions about the nature of the universe, and these three would provide some great insight.

Q: Money no option, where would you like to go on vacation?

A:I would like to see Ayers Rock in Australia, but I wouldn't climb up it, since it is an Aboriginal spiritual symbol. As long as I am in the area, I would also like to see a bit of New Zealand; I've heard the country is a beautiful place.

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