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C&RL News April 2012  216

In 2010, Kansas State University (KSU) Li-
braries underwent a major reorganization 
with the goal of becoming a user-centered 
and data-driven organization. In June of that 
year, Leo Lo transitioned from his position 
as multicultural studies librarian to the newly 
created position of research and development 
(R&D) librarian. 

The R&D librarian position falls under the 
new Office of Library Planning and 
Assessment, which also includes a 
director, library data coordinator, and 
service quality librarian. While the 
goal of the office is to provide cen-
tralized data collection, assessment, 
and product development, Lo has 
specialized responsibilities focused 
on researching adaptable organiza-
tion structures, business models, 
and successful innovations in aca-
demic libraries; improving internal 
processes; developing new products, services, 
and practices; and creating collaborations with 
campus units and other libraries.

“Somewhat similar in concept to a R&D 
department in a corporation, my job is to 
come up and experiment with new products 
and services based on assessment results. The 
key word here is experiment,” said Lo in a 
recent interview. 

Although assessment-related positions 
are becoming more common in academic 
libraries, some initiatives end there without 
the important step of evidence-based ac-
tion. Lo’s R&D position ensures that there is 
a mechanism in place to act on the results 

of assessment. It also assures the rest of the 
library and, more broadly, the institution, 
that assessment is not just being done for the 
sake of doing assessment, but that there is an 
end product. Such a position demonstrates 
that KSU Libraries embrace adventure and a 
willingness to take risks, essential qualities 
to create an environment that encourages 
innovation.

While some of what Lo does 
involves new technology (he is 
currently working with the mobile 
site team on making KSU Libraries’ 
resources mobile friendly), he is 
also engaged in nontech based 
projects like the Reference Train-
ing Boot Camp, which aims to as-
sess and define the value of library 
reference services. “As these are 
experiments, we don’t expect all 
of them to succeed. The value is 

in the trial and error and learning more about 
us and our users in the process, before fully 
committing scarce resources,” said Lo. 

Another unique project is the K-State Li-
braries Undergraduate Diversity Fellowship, 
initiated by Lo to help promote diversity at 
KSU, increase the diversity of the library 
workforce, and help recruit diverse students 
to the profession by introducing librarianship 
to them early on. The project is still in the 
development stage, but the general idea is 

Erin Dorney is outreach librarian at Millersville University 
of Pennsylvania. Have a story idea for Job of a Lifetime? 
E-mail Erin Dorney at erin.dorney@millersville.edu. 

Leo Lo: Research and Development Librarian  
at Kansas State University

Leo Lo



April 2012  217 C&RL News

for the Fellows to work closely with librar-
ian mentors on meaningful projects, helping 
them to gain a better understanding of what 
the profession is about and opening a poten-
tial career path. 

In addition to his MSLIS, Lo holds an MFA 
in screenwriting from Hollins University (Vir-
ginia). “On the surface, that doesn’t seem to 
have anything to do with librarianship. But 
understanding how to tell a story is actually 
extremely useful in presenting your ideas to 
others and persuading people to support your 
projects,” said Lo. 

His experience in screenwriting taught 
him how distill something very complicated, 
like a two-hour movie, into a one-sentence 
logline. This skill has been useful for pitch-
ing ideas, crafting engaging proposals, 
and framing captivating elevator speeches. 
Screenwriting skills have also been benefi-
cial in the creation of engaging user videos, 
evidenced in Lo’s recent article “Design Your 
Video Tutorial Like a Hollywood Blockbuster: 
Using Hollywood Screenplay Structure to 

Engage Viewers,” published in a special 
instructional design and technology issue of 
Indiana Libraries.

Lo encourages librarians to embrace curi-
osity, creativity, and a willingness to try new 
things, particularly if they are interested in 
getting into R&D. Staying current with the 
newest trends, being excited by innovations, 
and not being afraid of failure are key. He 
also recommends gaining project manage-
ment experience and being willing to work 
collaboratively. 

When asked if being a R&D librarian is 
his “job of a lifetime,” Lo responded with a 
resounding yes. “It offers me opportunities 
to learn about the newest trends and inno-
vations in librarianship; gives me plenty of 
creative freedom to work on cutting-edge 
projects; and allows me to collaborate with 
other forward-thinking people. I can’t think 
of a better library job for me right now.”

Lo writes about librarianship, film, and 
food on his blog www.leoslo.com and can 
be found on Twitter @leoslo. 

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