WAML Member of the Month: Julie Hoff

Julie is the Map Librarian at the Arizona State Library and Archives, and has served as the WAML Business Manager since 2002.

Where did you go to college?

I went to the University of Denver for a BA in Anthropology and Geography, Arizona State University for grad anthropology classes and finally University of Arizona for an MLS.  Yes, I finished!

Where was your first job working with maps? 

I started as a Library Assistant in the Map Collection at Arizona State University and worked for Rosanna Miller, another famous WAMLite.

Do you have a favorite map?   

Bradford Washburn’s gorgeous Mt. McKinley and Mt. Everest maps and the new Benchmark Colorado Atlas.  The atlas is a blast!!  Who knew there were ashrams in the San Luis Valley?  I didn’t!

What’s the most fun you ever had at a WAML conference?

That’s a tough one!   Eureka in ’96 where we “walked” across Eurasia at 1:500K and hiked among the Redwoods was amazing.  And Alaska in ’05, especially hiking around Wonder Lake and Toklat Flats.  [See photo of Janet Collins and Julie hiking Toklat , photo by Wendie Helms]

What do you like to do when you aren’t being a map librarian?

Lots of things, depending on the time!  In no particular order: bike riding, hiking, reading, yoga and being a total plant geek, though you’d never guess from the state of my yard.

What book(s) are you reading these days?   

I’m nearly finished with Anne Applebaum’s Gulag: A History and have started The President, the Pope, and the Prime Minister by John O’Sullivan and The Letters of John and Abigail Adams. 

What is your least favorite thing to do at work?   

Dealing with unexpected software upgrades.  That just harshes my mellow!

And what's your favorite thing to do at work? 

Any kind of historical research with patrons, and my own research for the state names board.  

Could you tell us a little about your work with the Board on Geographic Names?

As the one person staff support and researcher for the Arizona State Board on Geographic and Historic Names, I “get” to do practically everything but vote!   I receive geographic name proposals from the public, do additional research and prepare dockets for board members, edit minutes, manage correspondence with local and tribal governments and the federal names board regarding proposals – it’s a lot.  The best part is getting to work with my research counterparts at the US Board on Geographic Names and attending their annual conference. 

How’s your husband doing in Afghanistan, and when will he be home?

Jim is a platoon sergeant in the Arizona National Guard 1/285th Apache Attack Helicopter Battalion based in Marana.  He’s in charge of refueling operations for anything that NATO flies.  The battalion was deployed to Afghanistan in January and should be back sometime next February.  So far, so good.  I rather envy him being able to see huge mountains covered in snow by day and really DARK skies at night. 

Could WAMLites send him a postcard of their campuses?

Sure, that’s a great idea!  I’d be happy to send Jim’s APO address to anyone who would like to send a post card.