Meet Our Newest Librarian: Rachelle

In May, Rachelle McPhillips joined the McGoogan Library team as an Education and Research Services Librarian for UNMC-Kearney. 

Kearney Expansion and McGoogan Library

Nebraska’s rural communities face an increasingly severe crisis in maintaining access to health care for their residents. For the first time, UNMC will educate physicians, pharmacists and public health professionals in rural Nebraska. The project also will expand UNMC’s allied health and nursing programs.

With the Kearney expansion comes a physical presence for the library within the Health Science Education Center (HSEC) II. McGoogan Library at Kearney will have a variety of services and resources for students, including anatomical models to check out and physical and digital textbooks. Study rooms will also be in the same space where the library will be located. Until the HSEC II opens in early 2026, Rachelle will be working remotely to support UNMC-Kearney students. 

McPhillips’ Credentials and Experience

Rachelle holds a Master of Science in Library and Information Science and an Online Educator Certificate from the University of Missouri. With a background in public libraries, Rachelle is passionate about removing barriers to access and creating meaningful learning experiences. She has created innovative programming and collections for young adults and implemented a makerspace that fostered creativity and lifelong learning in patrons from adolescence through adulthood.    

Rachelle was introduced to work in higher education as an Online Learning Specialist at Mizzou and adjunct faculty for UNO’s online library science program. She moved to academic libraries full-time in 2023, accepting a Reference and Instruction Librarian position in South Dakota, where she advocated for student success both inside and outside the classroom. She also served as a member of the South Dakota OER State Action Team.  

“Librarians are in a unique position to advocate for the communities they serve,” said Rachelle. “I am excited to return to my home state, join the McGoogan Library team and contribute to the Kearney expansion project in support of health care professionals and research in rural Nebraska.”

Outside of work, Rachelle enjoys spending time with her adult children, attending live music events and crocheting.