By Nora Reiner ’29, co-editor-in-chief
Originally from Youngstown, Ohio, Josh Cohen is the newest faculty member at Bishop Library.
After studying English literature as an undergraduate student at Kent State University, Cohen worked in multiple libraries and spent a year with AmeriCorps teaching ESL. Having enjoyed both careers, Cohen looked for a way to combine both.
“I discovered that there were instruction librarians who taught students research skills, so it seemed like a good combination of my interest in libraries and my interest in education,” Cohen said.
As a student success and instruction librarian, Cohen assists students with their research needs and developing information literacy skills. He is also looking forward to building new connections with faculty and students at LVC.
“I enjoy meeting people, learning about what kind of scholarship is going on at the college, what interests faculty have and what interests students studying here have, so all that stuff is fun and exciting,” Cohen said.
He is not only new to LVC, but also has recently moved to the Lancaster area. In his free time, he enjoys seeing what is going on in the city, watching movies or live music and trying out new restaurants. Having played tennis in high school, Cohen is looking forward to trying out pickleball.
Cohen can often be found reading or writing songs, poems and plays. One of his short plays was recently featured on the Reading Theater Project’s monthly program on Berks County television.
“The host is a playwright who meets with other playwrights,” he said. “He invited actors to perform a short ten-minute play, and then they talk about it.”
If students need research assistance, help with their literacy skills or want to challenge Cohen to a game of pickleball, they can reach him at jcohen@lvc.edu or stop by his office in Bishop Library.