Interview with Megan Dugan, Mt. Hood Community College

Continuing our interview series of reaching out to academic library leaders across the state to facilitate “getting to know” our colleagues… the next interview in this series is with Megan Dugan, Library Director at Mt. Hood Community College, just east of Portland.

Thanks for talking with us, Megan!


1. Tell us a little bit about your work background.

I started library work as a Page in the circulation department at the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District’s Vancouver Community Library in 1991. Since that fateful day, I’ve been a library assistant, children’s specialist, information services specialist, bookmobile driver, circulation supervisor, substitute coordinator, and patron services manager in the public library.

In 2013, I was hired at Mt. Hood Community College Library as the public services manager. I decided to go to library school in 2014 after our director retired, which is when I became library manager. I graduated from Emporia State University in 2015 and became the library director at MHCC!

2. What has been the best thing that has happened to you since you started your position?

Earlier this year we were able to restore a third tenured faculty librarian position that had been reduced in 2012. This position fills a huge need for our library, staff, faculty and students.

3. What would you like Oregon academic librarians to know about you?

I cry when I laugh. And I cry all the time so I carry my grandmother’s old handkerchiefs everywhere.

Megan Dugan, Library Director at Mt. Hood Community College

4. What is the biggest challenge facing your library in the upcoming year?

With our year seven accreditation this fall we have work to do on assessment of our services to ensure that students are being served effectively across all our facilities and academic divisions.

5. What would you like Oregon academic librarians to know about your institution?

It’s not actually ON the mountain. It always interests me how many people ask what it’s like getting to the campus in wintertime. You know, with all the snow on the mountain?

Though the MHCC district does encompass Mt. Hood, the campus is actually located in east Multnomah County just outside of Troutdale, http://mhcc.edu/District/.

6. What does advocacy for academic libraries look like from your perspective as a library director?

For me, this has been one of the most interesting parts of working in an academic library. I am continuously discovering areas for growth and learning how vital advocacy for my library is even within my own institution.

Coming from a public library district where all of the staff worked in a library, it’s a stark contrast when only a few people in an organization work in the library. We promote our services through our district communications department, by visiting lots of council meetings, and by bringing pop-up libraries to campus events whenever we can. Visibility is key!


Jennifer Snoek-Brown, ACRL-OR Communications Coordinator (2014-2016)
Faculty Librarian
Mt. Hood Community College

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