Melis Lydston, MLS

It was ultimately the questions that drew me into librarianship. In the library world, we call this work “reference.” Even years later, I can still remember those first inquiries I cut my teeth on:- When was the smiley face invented, and who invented it?
- My great-great-grandfather was a blacksmith in the town of Kittery. Can you find a record of him living there?
- Can you find personal accounts of sexual abuse from enslaved men living in the early 1800s?The questions I sought out most were the challenging ones. The ones no one else could answer. The same is true for the work I do today. At Mass General, I serve as a specialist for research and instruction and still answer difficult questions, uncovering citations to back them up. My job doesn't end there, however. I also teach people how to search on their own and evaluate what they've found for trustworthiness.I also co-author the very evidence people look to for answers and peer review it as well. Additionally, I help researchers with issues surrounding publication, such as navigating funder mandates, managing article processing charges, avoiding predatory publishers and retractions, and more. I like to think of myself as a guide, shepherding people through the publication process and all the vagaries therein.This site contains some of the instructional materials I've put together. If there's anything you can't access, please reach out, and I'll supply it.Of course, don't hesitate to ask me any questions! :-) LinkedIn is the best way to get a hold of me.