Unsung hero: Ben Jahre

All of our librarians rock, of course. Ben Jahre, head of electronic resources, has worked tirelessly during this pandemic to make sure that our students and faculty are connected with the texts they need to keep our courses at near normalcy. When your textbook is still stuck in a post office in Philly, he finds an electronic copy or a temporary substitute. Getting physical books to far-flung students a problem? He arranges licenses for electronic copies of textbooks and other readings. Need a video from our collection or a provider? He finds ways to upgrade subscriptions so that we can all access films and videos and even helps us search through databases and providers for appropriate materials or substitutes. He has been a priceless superhero to all of us struggling to teach and learn under extraordinary conditions. —Suzanne Westfall, professor and head of theater