A. Ben Wagner - Faculty and Staff Profiles - University at Buffalo Libraries

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Degrees

M.L.I.S., Drexel University, 1975
B.A., Chemistry, Bloomsburg University, 1973

Liaison

Chemistry, Physics including Astronomy/Astrophysics

Responsibilities

Liaison and advocate for Chemistry Department faculty & students.
Collection Development for Astronomy, Chemistry, and Physics (LC classes QB, QC, & QD).
General & science-specific reference services via reference desk, email, appointment, phone, & instant messaging.
Provide instruction in information resources to students & faculty to develop their information fluency skills.
Collaborate with faculty and graduate students in direct support of their teaching and research information needs & interest.
Participate in library and university committees and task forces to accomplish the mission of the institution.
Maintain a high quality, visible web presence for science resources on the University Libraries web site.

Resources By Subject

Astronomy & Astrophysics
Chemistry
Physics

Subject / Course Guides

Astronomy and Astrophysics
Finding Conference Proceeding & Papers
Chemistry
Gmelin Handbook of Inorganic Chemistry: A User' Guide
Physics
Spectra and Spectral Data Guide to Sources in SEL
Toxicology In-depth Research Guide

Curriculum Vitae / Bio

A. Ben Wagner joined the faculty of the Science and Engineering Library of the University at Buffalo as Sciences Librarian in June 2001 and received tenure in 2004. He is the subject specialist in chemistry and physics. Ben received the Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Librarianship in 2006. Prior to his career at UB, Ben had a 26 year career at the Technical Information Center of Occidental Chemical's Technology Department on Grand Island, NY, eventually serving as Team Leader/Director of the Library. The shift to academic librarianship has provided an opportunity for renewed participation in scholarly and professional activities. Ben is currently serving as past chair of the SLA Chemistry Division.
A. Ben Wagner Vita

Research / Service Area

My prime interests are:

1) interface analysis and comparative evaluations of electronic resources and their print equivalents,
2) affordability of scientific journals,
3) open access and other alternate models of scholarly communications, and
4) innovative strategies for delivery of library services to patrons

Since I serve in the subject areas with the highest cost journals, chemistry and physics, I track the impact of journal price models and inflationary costs on libraries and the scholarly community. My recent work as team leader of the Electronic Reference Packages Task Force and of the Sciences Team within the Libraries has permitted extensive review of the content and search features of many electronic products. Please refer to my vita for details of my research, service, and publication activities.

Service Statement

For me, the great attraction of my chosen profession is the centuries-long tradition of customer service. One of the exciting aspects of being a subject specialist is the opportunity to serve customers at so many different levels: students, faculty, researchers, our local community, and the many library colleagues here at the University at Buffalo, the region, and throughout the world. Realities of time and resources require prioritization and the realization that everything can not be done for everyone. Still, I believe two attitudes should always be maintained. First is the perspective that each individual patron's request is vitally important to them and deserves the best that I can give. Second, everything reasonable should be done to either meet the need or provide a referral to another resource that can. The patron should never be left with no place else to turn.

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