By CHRISTINE BOATWRIGHT / Staff Writer

MONTEVALLO – When the University of Montevallo’s Carmichael Library had an opening for a librarian, Andrew Battista picked up his life in Lexington, Ky., and moved to answer the help-wanted ad in July.

“I moved here from Lexington, Kentucky, where I finished my PhD in English literature,” Battista said. “I’ve been teaching for a while, but this is somewhat of a shift.”

Battista now holds the title of assistant professor, information literacy and reference librarian at the Carmichael Library.

In the “CliffsNotes” version of his job description, Battista said, “I teach people how to find and evaluate information. I also teach others how to teach others how to find and evaluate information. I’ll be working with students and faculty and teaching them how to navigate emerging types of information.”

Battista said he is originally from New York state, and while moving to Montevallo calls for adjustment, he said he’s noticed similarities between his hometown and his new home.

“I think Kentucky was a good middle ground, but it’s definitely a change. It’s a totally different climate, different pace of life,” Battista said. “There’s a lot of resonances between the small town I was from in northern New York and a place like Montevallo, which is also a small town. I would say, so far, one of the hardest things is getting used to the climate and the intense heat.”

Battista earned his bachelor’s degree from Eastern University near Philadephia, then proceeded to acquire a master’s degree in library science and English from the University at Buffalo in New York. He rounded off his education with a PhD in English literature from the University of Kentucky.

“I can definitely say I want to root in the community and become part of the life here, the life of the university and the community,” he said. “The two seem to be interchangeable and co-dependant.”