NYU is known for its global reach, and Grace Adeneye, the new Librarian for Arts and Instruction at NYU Abu Dhabi, might be described as global, too. Even before joining NYU, she had lived on three continents. So the transition to Abu Dhabi from the University of Delaware, where she was most recently Assistant Librarian for Student Success and Engagement, has been a smooth one.
“I've previously lived in the Gulf and met my husband there,” she said. “So the chance to relocate to a place we both know as home was very exciting. Beyond that, NYU Abu Dhabi's commitment to diversity and the incredible research taking place in the Arts Division made the prospect very appealing.”
In her new post, Grace is coordinating the library’s instruction program and overall library assessment. She is also a liaison to the Arts Division and provides reference and instruction services as part of the Reference Librarian team.
“The different elements in my liaison area definitely appealed to me,” Grace said. “Aside from library and museum studies, I've also studied history and literature, and attempted (badly) improv theatre; I've even been an opera supernumerary! My museum studies program covered everything from exhibitions to material culture, and I'm looking forward to applying those skills in a practical way at NYU Abu Dhabi. I'm also looking forward to meeting faculty and learning more about their hugely impressive research interests.”
Alabama-born, Grace grew up on Long Island, NY and did her undergraduate work at Long Island University, where she majored in English. Next stop: England, for her MLIS and a certificate in Museum and Gallery Practice at University College London. While working toward her library degree, Grace also worked and completed an internship in Doha, Qatar.
“I'm fortunate enough to have been able to travel, live, and study in a number of places, and I'm so grateful for it,” Grace said. “This world is so vast and so beautiful, and so are its people. I've also been able to form deep and varied relationships where I've gone, and it's great having friends and family on various continents! I hope to do much more travel in the future.”
In the nearer term, though, Grace said she’s just looking forward to life after COVID. “I can't wait to be on campus and to teach in person.”
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