Karen is the manager of the Collection Access Department which includes cataloging, binding, and government documents. The Collection Access Department provides access to the Law Library's collection via online records and by preparing and maintaining the materials that go onto its shelves.

Karen has an MLS from the State University College of New York-Geneseo.

Her professional memberships include the American Association of Law Libraries, the Mid-American Association of Law Libraries, and the Iowa OCLC Users Group.