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Your Personal Librarian at MICA: Here to Support You

At MICA, every student has a dedicated librarian ready to assist with your academic and creative needs. Whether you're just starting a project or diving deep into research, your librarian is here to help.

How Can Your Librarian Assist You?

  • Accessing Materials: Need specific materials for your work? Your librarian can guide you to the right resources.
  • Finding Information: Whether it's for a studio project or a liberal arts assignment, your librarian can help you locate the information you need.
  • Thesis Research: Working on your graduate thesis? Your librarian can support your research every step of the way.
  • Deep Dive Research: If you're looking to explore a subject in depth, your librarian can help you navigate complex research paths.

Decker Librarians: Always Here for You

No matter where you are in your process, Decker Librarians are committed to supporting your academic journey. We understand the unique needs of MICA students and are ready to provide personalized assistance.

Schedule a Research Consultation With Us!

First-Year Experience (FYE) Students:

If you're an FYE student, you can schedule appointments with us here. 

Decker Library Librarians

Short bios and listing of program areas for each of our librarians.

Kathy Cowan - Special Collections Librarian

Kathy Cowan, Special Collections Librarian (she/her/hers)

"Baltimore-born. Enjoys meditation, parenting, painting, printmaking, and patterns." She studied painting: BFA MICA ('81) and MFA Clemson ('95); archives: MLS Maryland ('99); and anthropology: post-bacc Johns Hopkins University (1982-83) and graduate school UT Austin (1984-85). Kathy is your librarian if you're in one of the following programs: Architectural Design; Drawing; Fiber; General Fine Arts; LeRoy E. Hoffberger School of Painting; Painting; Printmaking; and Studio Art (MFAST). Get in touch: kcowan@mica.edu.

Email Kathy
Chris Drolsum - Research Services Librarian

Chris Drolsum, Research Services Librarian (he/him/his)

Chris is your librarian if you're in one of the following programs: Animation; Art Education; Ceramics; Design Leadership; Graphic Design; Interdisciplinary Sculpture; Mount Royal School of Art; Rinehart School of Sculpture; and Teaching (MAT). Get in touch: cdrolsum@mica.edu.

Email Chris
Tannaz Motevalli - Information Literacy and Instructional Design Librarian

Tannaz Motevalli, Information Literacy and Instructional Design Librarian (she/they)

Born and raised in Baltimore, MD, Tannaz is a second generation Iranian-American artist and librarian. Tannaz holds a BFA in Studio Art from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago where they studied performance art, fiber, sculpture, visual critical studies, and writing. They also completed an MLIS from University of Maryland, College Park. Tannaz is your librarian if you're in one of the following programs: Art History; Business of Art & Design; Humanistic Studies; Illustration (BFA, MA); Illustration Practice (MFA); Information Visualization; and User Experience Design. Get in touch: tmotevalli@mica.edu.

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Heather Slania - Director

Heather Slania, Library Director (she/her/hers)

Heather's mission is to help libraries actively create sites of belonging while centering diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice. She studied Painting and Performance Studies at Northwestern University ('00) and has a degree in Library Science from the University of Maryland ('07). Heather's art practice now is leading libraries into the future. She is originally from Chicago and would most want Francis Bacon to paint her portrait. Heather is your librarian if you're in one of the following programs: Community Arts; Curatorial Practice; Design Leadership; Game Design; Interactive Arts; and Social Design. Get in touch: hslania@mica.edu.

Email Heather
Deidre Thompson - Collections Services Librarian

Deidre Thompson, Collections Services Librarian (she/her/hers)

Originally from Belize, Deidre is a librarian with a strong belief in the power and responsibility of cataloging librarians to shape information consumption. Her interests include critical cataloging and art of the African Diaspora. She holds a BA in Art History from Bard College and an MLIS from Pratt Institute's School of Information. Deidre is your librarian is you're in one of the following programs: Film and Video; Filmmaking; Photography; and Photography + Media & Society. Get in touch: dthompson03@mica.edu.

Email Deidre

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