Meet Your Lane Library Staff: Izma Shabbir

Every month, we are spotlighting an amazing member of our library staff. This month meet Izma Shabbir, our Assistant UX Designer.

What do you do at the library?

I work on developing the user experience, assessing design usability, and interviewing our wonderful library users to continually improve our digital platforms. 

What did you do before coming to Lane Library? 

I’m finishing up my M.S. Design degree here at Stanford, and feel very lucky to also be able to work with the library. Prior to Stanford, I launched global media/entertainment streaming products as a technical product manager at Amazon Music, and as a freelance designer building brands for entrepreneurs. 

What are you most excited about in your new role? 

It’s been energizing to be so close to our users – speaking to the people who demonstrate so much care for the library’s resources, archives, and materials is really motivating. Connecting archivists, authors, researchers, hobbyists, and students to the vast resources here at Lane is really meaningful, and it’s really special to be a witness to the work that’s produced along the way.  

How long have you worked at Lane? 

I’ve been working at Lane since the summer. 

What do you do in your spare time? 

I love to make things (in the woodshop, preferably), and design digital art (in a comfy chair, preferably). I also love to explore the Bay and all the beautiful nature here, bake desserts for my friends and family, and drive up the 280 when there’s no traffic. 

Do you prefer

Coffee or tea?  Tea! I make stovetop chai every morning.  

Cats or dogs? Cats – I love my family’s little black cat, Olive, who is the perfect combination of snuggly, adventurous, and sweet. 

Candy or cake? I don’t have much of a sweet tooth, but love to bake cakes for others to enjoy with a cup of tea. Most recently I made a green pistachio – lemon cake for the Super Bowl (Go birds!). 

Salty or sweet? Salty! 

Print or digital books? Print, but I do use a Kindle when I travel and appreciate it in those moments. 

Nonfiction or fiction? Fiction. 

Summer or winter? Summer – ideally California’s endless summer.