Q&A with Library Manager Akio Lis

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National Library Workers Day recognizes library staff for their valuable contributions to public knowledge. In recognition of this little-known celebration, I sat down with Akio Lis to discuss his role as the American Numismatic Association’s Library Manager.

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ANA Library Manager Akio Lis was born for books. He interned at ANA Library (now the Dwight N. Manley Numismatic Library) in 2003 under the leadership of Nancy Green, and subsequently volunteered at the library after moving to Colorado Springs in 2005. This experience immersed him in the materials, library structure, and research potential specific to this institution, which ranks as the largest and most comprehensive library of its kind in the world. 

Lis enjoys working with numismatists of all interests and research backgrounds and helping them advance their knowledge and introduce them to the variety of reference materials available. His goal is to add books on a greater variety of specialized topics to the Library holdings, expanding the world and ancient coin sections in particular. The ANA Library has digitized archive materials available through Internet Archive, including ANA historic archives, American Bank Note Company records, and documents from significant numismatic events and individuals. This collection allows researchers to explore information previously only available to in-person guests of the ANA Library and expands the reach of this institution globally. The Library’s quarterly “Bookworm” column in the ANA’s official magazine, The Numismatist, describes books in the ANA Library on various topics. Lis’s knowledge and passion are equally measured, and he approaches his role with curiosity and dedication.

Caleb Noel: How did you get your start in numismatics?

Akio Lis: My first experience with numismatics was writing a small research paper in elementary school about United States coin types. From middle school through college, I attended the ANA Summer Seminar, and in 2003 I completed an internship with the ANA Library.

CN: When did you join the Library staff and how did you become Library Manager?

AL: After moving to Colorado Springs in 2005, I was active at ANA headquarters through volunteer work at the Dwight N. Manley Library and the Summer Seminar YN program. This led to my employment reopening circulation services following the Money Museum closure in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021 I was elevated to the position of Library Manager based on my numismatic background and experience working with past ANA Library staff.

CN: Can you tell me a little about your podcast episodes and how that came about?

AL: The ANA Library contains many books that are noncirculating due to their financial value, rarity, or fragility due to age, and the catalog descriptions do not do these books justice. The From the Stacks series presents historical context for selected books with short videos providing visual descriptions. This allows members that may never visit ANA headquarters to experience materials from The Frank J. Katen Rare Book Room.

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CN: What’s the best part of your job?

AL: Through the ANA’s education and media programs, I inform ANA members about research opportunities and materials. I have presented at ANA Summer Seminar and conventions and will instruct a mini-seminar on “Designing a Numismatic Research Topic for Publications or Presentation” In June 2026. I have also worked with Museum Curator Doug Mudd and Education Director Christian Strayhorn to develop Summer Seminar classes that teach how to examine, research, and exhibit numismatic objects.

CN: Can you share some information about the Library ANA members (or nonmembers reading this) might not know?

AL: We are working to include books on a greater variety of specialized topics in the Library holdings, with expansions in the world and ancient coin sections in particular. The ANA Library has digitized archive materials available through our Internet Archive collection. We will feature selected items in Library exhibits that guests can view on-site, the first being materials from the 1976 ANA Convention.

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ANA members can access the world’s largest numismatic lending library and its more than 128,000 books, auction catalogs, periodicals, and DVDs online. The Library features resources and materials on subjects including but not limited to coins, paper money, tokens, medals, military orders and decorations, and stocks and bonds. Visit the ANA Library webpage for expanding information about the materials and services provided, and feel free to contact the staff by email at [email protected] or phone at 719-482-9821.

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