Mary Kay Rathke

I am a new Librarian in the Reference Department at NU Library, and Subject Librarian for Nazarbayev University School of Science and Technology.

Where are you from?
I grew up near Detroit, Michigan (US), although my home is in Salisbury, Maryland, close to the Atlantic Ocean. I have also lived in many areas outside the United States – mostly the Middle East (United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Egypt,), Britain and Canada, and have traveled throughout Europe, Scandinavia, South Korea, China, and Morocco.

What are some of your Interests?
My interests keep evolving, but the ones that give me the most joy are reading (poetry, fiction, mystery and sci-fi/fantasy), writing, vegan gourmet cooking, traveling, karate, swimming, and learning forever! I hope to add Tai Chi to the list.

Why did you decide to come to Kazakhstan?
I love to explore, not just travel, so I welcome the opportunity to discover new countries, new cultures, and new ways of thinking, learning and problem-solving, to develop myself in unexpected and unforeseen ways. I like to absorb the best of each culture and integrate it into my life.
This is what drew me to Astana and the University. In the first few days, and until now, I have experienced a warm welcome and hard-working environment overall, along with a great team of librarians willing to go the extra mile in helping students, and each other, with their information needs in college, work and life, and that’s what librarianship is all about - preparing students and ourselves for lifelong learning! Go Librarians! Be Awesome!

Did you find any surprises in Astana?

I was particularly surprised at how developed Astana is, and still growing! I also found people to be very friendly in and outside the University. I still have a lot more to explore!