OxStars: Ellen Neufeld
Like an oak tree that begins as a tiny acorn, Ellen Neufeld, Director of the Oxford College Library, believes that transformation, real, lasting, personal growth, takes time.
During her nearly 20 years at Oxford, she has made it her mission to nurture that kind of slow discovery for everyone who walks through the library’s doors. Whether through a well-placed book, a thoughtful conversation, or an unexpected piece of art or exhibit, she helps students and faculty alike explore who they are and where their passions lie. “That’s what happened to me,” she says. “And that’s what I want to offer others.”
After a career in journalism and public relations and several moves with her family, Ellen found herself ready for a change. “It wasn’t really sustainable,” she says, reflecting on the constant shifting and the temporary relationships that came with her previous roles. She eventually took a part-time job at a public library, and that’s where everything started to click. “I just fell in love with libraries, like most people do who end up working in them.”
Those experiences showed her how vital libraries are in providing information to people. She especially understood their importance when she arrived at Oxford, where she had the chance to build those relationships with first and second-year students, who were starting their academic journeys.
“I love my job because, really, it's about the relationships with every aspect of the college. We work with the students, we work with staff, we work with faculty, all on an equivalent level, and it's great to work somewhere where you get to know people that closely"
That deep sense of connection didn’t come from a title; it came from experience. Before becoming director, Ellen worked her way up through nearly every role in the library, gaining a hands-on understanding of its daily rhythms, challenges, and opportunities. Everything from new technologies to questions about how libraries will stay relevant in an age of AI, Ellen has embraced each phase of her journey as a learning opportunity and brings that knowledge and understanding into her leadership. “As the director of the library, my job is to make sure that we are meeting the needs of the students and the faculty,” she explains “so we make sure that our materials support the curriculum, work with the Atlanta campus libraries to make sure they're no problems, and provide all kinds of fun activities for our students, including different workshops to help them learn about how to use resources that are available to them.” The library has become more than just a resource on campus; it’s a reflection of the Oxford community itself, a living chapter in the story of connection, learning, and shared growth.
Ellen says that working at Oxford offered her a community that she hadn’t had after moving. Even as people have come and gone, that spirit of Oxford has stayed the same. Working in the library on this campus has “provided a lifelong community for me.” She reflects, “And it's kind of funny because you think that would be what the students experience only, but it's really been my experience as someone who works at Oxford.”
Ellen often reflects on the early days when she was new to the campus and still finding her footing. She remembers when you could drive around the quad. She remembers the meaningful moments, especially when the dean at the time asked her to be on the employee council for an advocacy group out of the Atlanta campus. “She said, “I was so honored that he knew who I was, but also that he valued my work as a liaison between the two campuses.” It wasn’t about a formal recognition or a grand gesture, but rather the simple act of someone taking time to treat her as a valued member of the college. During moments like these, she realizes that Oxford strives to create and maintain an environment where every staff member and their contributions to the college are valued.
As she enters her 20th year here at Oxford, she wants the library to be a welcoming place where everyone feels comfortable asking questions and seeking help. “I think everybody comes to our library with their own experience with either their high school library, their own public library, or another institution, and we really pride ourselves on being approachable.” Regarding her own goals and legacy, she hopes that she has been able to create many opportunities for students to explore all the resources available to them here at Oxford.
Reflecting on the growth she has achieved here at Oxford College and her journey, she says, “I didn't know how much librarianship was going to mean to me. I didn't know it when I first started working in libraries, but it grew over time, just like a tree that slowly grows. It took a long time for me to realize that, and it's been my privilege to learn that by working at Oxford for 20 years.”