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Blue Devil of the Week: The Database Guru

Jane Day helps Fuqua School of Business students find data and job openings

Jane Day works with students on navigating online databases to help with their research, job searches and travel resources. Photos by Jonathan Black.
Jane Day works with students on navigating online databases to help with their research, job searches and travel resources. Photos by Jonathan Black.

Name: Jane Day

Position: Associate Director of Public Services, Ford Library in the Fuqua School of Business

Years at Duke: 27

What she does at Duke: Day calls herself the “answer lady” for Duke’s Fuqua School of Business. 

She most commonly works with students on navigating online databases to help with their research, job searches and travel resources. One of the more common tasks is finding company annual reports from the early 20th century on the database ProQuest. She also helps students find job openings and internships abroad by using GoingGlobal, a database of international professional opportunities. 

“Fuqua students know they can come into the library to discuss a matter with us, and we’ll start figuring out what we need to do to help them,” Day said. “I’m able to take my budget for the databases and say, ‘we can drop this subscription or add this based on what people are coming to us for.’ The flexibility in my decision making is one of the main reasons why I’ve been at Duke for nearly 30 years.” 

Day also works with faculty members on finding sources for their research and classes. Last semester, she helped a “Foundations of Strategy” class see how different company products, like GoPro cameras, compare to competitors.  

“I am really passionate about the people I work with and the people we serve,” she said. “There’s always a challenge and always a reward.”

What she loves about Duke: Day loves that her job gives her the chance to speak with many students, staff and faculty members. Every year, she welcomes about 450 members of the incoming class at Fuqua with a primer on resources at Ford Library

“At Duke, you’re surrounded by good and supportive people who are as passionate about their work as you are,” she said.

Memorable day at work: Day traveled to China as part of a cultural immersion program with Fuqua students in 2010. 

The group went to Shanghai, Xi’an, Dunhuang and Beijing. At each city, the group met with leaders of companies and explored cultural hotspots like the Terra Cotta Warriors. Day’s favorite spot was the Mogao Caves in Dunhuang, a series of caves containing Buddhist art. 

“That trip was truly amazing,” Day said. “Not only did I get to see some amazing sights but I got to travel with students and see them in action. They were meeting with CEOs at large companies and coming up with really great questions to ask.”

Special object in her office: Sitting on Day’s desk is a small trophy with a picture of a disco ball on it. 

Day earned the prize by placing first in a 2013 Fuqua competition called “Dancing with Faculty.” Day and her dancing partner, Azamat Valiyev, performed a dance to “Crazy in Love” by Beyonce and Jay-Z. 

 “It was mortifying and amazing all at the same time,” Day said. “The best part was getting to interact with students in a stress-free environment. We could all laugh together about this crazy activity.” 

First-ever job: Day, who grew up in Thomasville, delivered copies of the High Point Enterprise while in high school. 

“It was a fun job when I could roll the windows down in my car and blast music,” she said. 

Best advice received: Meg Trauner, associate dean for library services at Ford Library, told Day that life doesn’t happen in a vacuum.  

“It’s helped me in my career to realize that my mood affects those around me,” Day said. “Things aren’t always going to be great but it’s important not to bring everyone’s morale down because I woke up on the wrong side of the bed.” 

Something people may not know about her: Day has ridden thoroughbred horses since she was four years old. She currently rides a retired racehorse named Ferdinand at a farm in Hillsborough. 

“Riding is very Zen for me,” Day said. “I’m away from my phone and technology and all of the problems seem to go away.”

Is there a colleague at Duke who has an intriguing job or goes above and beyond to make a difference? Nominate that person for Blue Devil of the Week.