Getting to Know You: Binh Le

by Tracy Reilly and Jennifer Cywinski

If you want to talk about library science with someone, you might choose a person with extensive experience like Binh Le. He’s had more than 25 years in the field. Between him and his wife, Christine, they combine for more than 50 years of experience! As Le says, “The library Gods have been very good to us,” and he just might be right!

man with glasses wearing a coat and tie standing in front of a building

Originally from Vietnam, Binh started out in Grand Rapids, Michigan, as a busboy at a Chinese restaurant in the late 1970s, which was his very first job. Fast forward to 2017 and you’ll find him working at Penn State Abington as an associate librarian and is a liaison to the Division of Social Sciences. Some of his responsibilities include coordinating reference and library services for ELS and international students. Binh is a member of the American Library Association, he is on the board for the Library and Education Foundation for Vietnam (LEAF-VN), and he is also very active in the Association of College and Research Libraries.

Binh doesn’t have any pets, but he has plenty of critters that live in his backyard including deer, foxes, raccoons, and lots of birds, but no bears … yet!

When Binh is not working, he enjoys being active in the outdoors doing activities such as skiing, hiking, walking, cycling, playing tennis, and, of course, he loves to travel.

Binh says that his favorite thing about working at Penn State is “working with colleagues in various disciplines and campuses/colleges.”