February 01, 2007
Ms. Shilpa Karnik came to the United States in 1995, a newlywed and a college graduate with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Bombay University. Wishing to continue her studies, she entered St. John's University in 1997, becoming an employee of the Queens Main Library two years later. She was awarded a bachelor’s degree in computer science and mathematics in 1999, and went on to earn a master’s degree in library science with a concentration in information technology from St. John's in 2001.
Ms. Karnik began working for the University Libraries in October 1999 as the Electronic Resources Librarian, a position she held for one year. She continued to work as a web programmer on various projects for the libraries until being appointed as the Assistant Director of eServices in May 2003. In her current position, Ms. Karnik coordinates the development and maintenance of the University Libraries’ web site. Her responsibilities include managing and creating the libraries’ department and unit web pages, serving as the primary contact for patron queries regarding off-campus access to the libraries’ electronic resources, and providing service to faculty and students who encounter problems using the Libraries’ technology in support of their teaching and learning goals. Ms. Karnik also offers instruction to librarians and staff members in an array of technologies, both general and library-related. She works directly with the Collections & Management and Public Services departments to ensure access to the University Libraries' electronic resources for all members of the university community and to develop new web pages to meet the changing needs of the libraries' patrons. In addition, she serves as the liaison to the Unversity's Marketing & Communications's web team and various units within Information Technology as needed.
Beyond her departmental responsibilities, Ms. Karnik has served as an adjunct in the Division of Library and Information Science, where she taught the course “Web Design for Libraries and Information Centers”. She is a member of the Web Working Group and the Electronic Resources Committee.
In her leisure time, Ms. Karnik enjoys cooking and travel.