Drew Damron
Library Manager
Email drewdamron616@gmail.com
Location Tokyo, Japan
LinkedIn • Instagram • YouTube
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ABOUT
I am a community-oriented librarian and archivist with ten years of professional experience. Currently managing one of the largest English-language libraries in Japan. Passionate about local history, genealogy, comics, literature, trail running, and rock climbing.
CREATIVE WORK
Comics
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2021 comic sample (above).
(Reviews)
Writing
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Article on five mountains to hike in Japan for The Japan Times.
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Article on my effort to run 100 miles at the 2023 Ultra-Trail Mt. Fuji race for The Japan Times.
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Article on the Japan Team's effort at the 2022 Backyard Ultra World Championship for The Japan Times.
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Sawanobori (Waterfall Climbing) article for The Japan Times.
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Cocktail recipes for The Japan Times.
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Historical biography of Gert Van Houten, editorial cartoonist for The Grand Rapids Press starting in 1917. Booklet published by Issue Press in 2015.
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2012 interview with cartoonist, Craig Thompson, for The Rapidian.
Other
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2024 appearance on Temple University Japan's podcast: The Owl Cove.
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2022 interview for Kiko Network NGO's social media series on sports and climate change.
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Video game set in Eastown neighborhood of Grand Rapids, Michigan. 2015 article about the project courtesy of Mlive/Grand Rapids Press.
WORK EXPERIENCE
2023 - Present
Senior Librarian
Temple University, Japan Campus
Tokyo, Japan
2017 - 2023
Library Manager
Tokyo American Club
Tokyo, Japan
2011 - 2016
Library Assistant
Grand Rapids Public Library
Grand Rapids, Michigan
2011 - 2013
Continuing Education Instructor
Kendall College of Art and Design
Grand Rapids, Michigan
EDUCATION
2015 - 2018
Wayne State University
Master of Library and Information Science
Archives and Digital Content
Detroit, MI
2011 - 2013
Grand Valley State University
Bachelor of Arts
Philosophy
Allendale, MI
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS
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Established organizational archive for the Tokyo American Club which was founded in 1928. Collecting historic material, updating inventory and indices, scanning and uploading artifacts to media platform, giving presentations and recording oral history. Produced a Club History exhibition in January 2023.
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Created 'TAC Talk' speaker series for the Tokyo American Club in 2020. Facilitating ~15 events per year with speakers such as Taro Kono (Politician), Garvey McIntosh (NASA's Asia Representative), Sayaka Murata (author), and more.
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Recipient of the 2015 Judith J. Field Scholarship - Awarded to a student who has demonstrated a penchant for innovation, creativity, and “out of the box” thinking during their library career to date.
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Created Grand Rapids Zine Fest in 2013, co-organizer for six years.
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First non-Japanese runner to solo the Okumusashi Long Trail 105k (Oct 2021).
RUNNING
2023
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3/5 - Tokyo Marathon
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4/21-23 - Ultra Trail Mt. Fuji Ultramarathon
2022
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1/16 - Senba Coastal Cliff Trail Race
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35km, +2290m
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1/30 - Hakone "Gairin" Loop Trail
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50km, +2,610m
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2/13 - Takao Mammoth Trail
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44km, +2,300m (For Virtual Tokyo Marathon)
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6/11 - Okushinano 100 Trail Race
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100km, +4,800m
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10/22 - Yamathon (2nd place)
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40km
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11/5 - Diamond Trail Run Championship
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33km, +1,800m
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11/26 - Malaysia Mountain Trail Festival
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50km, +2,900m
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2021
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3/27 - Hiraofuji Trail Running Race
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22km, +1,220m
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4/4 - Ome Takamizu Trail Run
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25km, +1,425m
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10/3 - Okumusashi Long Trail
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105km, +8,300m
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10/24 - Yamathon
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40km
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11/14 - Nikko Mountain Race
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36km, +2000m
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