Rebecca Blakiston is the user experience (UX) librarian and strategist at the University of Arizona Libraries, where she promotes UX as a strategy to increase our effectiveness and broaden our impact. She consults on UX methods and coordinates user research to help make informed, thoughtful decisions to improve the student and faculty experience. Her favorite things these days include user interviews, usability testing, persona development, empathy mapping, and inclusive design.

Rebecca has written, presented, and taught extensively on user research, content strategy, design thinking, and writing for the user experience. She was recognized as a Library Journal Mover & Shaker in 2016. Since 2018, she has been editor-in-chief of Weave: Journal of Library User Experience. 

Stephan J. Macaluso became the Planning, Assessment and User Experience Librarian at SUNY New Paltz in 2015, after nearly two decades as a reference librarian and distance learning professional.  His assessment portfolio includes strategic planning, annual goal setting, and focus group facilitation. Some of Stephen’s recent projects include gallery walks and ethnographic photo analyses of library environments; and facilitating charrette-style planning meetings for library staff.

Stephen is strongly influenced by architectural legend Jan Gehl, so he enjoys uncovering the ways that people use library space: where people go, what they avoid, and how the library should respond to those insights.

Stephen is a former Board president of Southeastern NY Library Resources Council. He is also a dedicated bicycle commuter, plays the bombarde with Bagad NY.