Marynelle Chew says digitizing library resources is of one things she hopes people remember about her
In honor of her 40 years of service as a librarian at BYU–Hawaii, Marynelle Chew was recognized at the annual Ho’omaika’i Employee Appreciation Night held on Feb. 16 at the Cannon Activities Center.
Among the things Chew said she is most proud of during her time working on campus is digitizing the library’s content during COVID-19.
“During COVID’s downtime, I changed the library contents from print to digital. It turned out to be a big blessing because even though students were everywhere, they could still have access to a lot of library materials that they needed to accomplish their studies,” said Chew, who is the head of Access and Collections Services in the Joseph F. Smith Library.
She added, “It turned out to be a fantastic decision, especially for pregnant women or families on campus who can directly access to those materials without leaving their apartments.”
Chew said she hopes people remember her for the collections, tools and services provided by the library that help students succeed in their studies. “While students are here, [we] prepare them with the lifelong information literacy skill all [people] need, as they pursue service and careers beyond BYU-Hawaii,” she shared.
An unexpected career journey
Chew said after graduating from BYUH majoring in French and Spanish, she knew she was not qualified enough to work as a translator or interpreter. Chew said her passion for reading led her to then pursue a degree in librarianship. “It ended up being my ideal career,” she shared.
While she was first at BYUH on a one-year contract as a reference librarian, she said she got a job opportunity in Arizona. As she prayed about accepting the employment offer, she said Heavenly Father urged her not to do so. Being shortly unemployed and confused, Chew said Heavenly Father whispered unto her, “Peace, be still.”
She continued, “Unexpectedly, [BYUH] chose to extend my contract here. This experience for me was heading into the unknown and trusting in the Lord that all things would work out.”
She added her gratitude for Heavenly Father’s guidance in her life. “I learned to trust in Him even when it makes no sense.”
After her house burned down 15 years ago, Chew said she learned to lean on Heavenly Father with the knowledge and testimony that he will take care of everything. “If you do what you're supposed to do by staying close to the Lord and do your best to stay on the covenant path, then it all works out,” Chew said.
In 2003, Chew said she got the job she now has at the library. She referred to her work at the library as the behind-the-scenes department because they process and purchase all materials and their components. “My job is the best job on campus. I enjoy it because I am continuously discovering new and exciting things. I discover something about the outside world that I was not aware of,” she explained.