Joshua Avery is the Director of Library Services at God’s Bible School and College in Cincinnati, Ohio. Joshua has been a member of ACL since 2010.
Describe yourself in three words: Efficient, Enthusiastic, Inquisitive.
What are you currently reading? I’m currently reading How to (Not) be Secular by James K. A. Smith, I just finished A Thousand Acres by Jane Smiley and I am looking forward to starting Steven Pinker’s The Sense of Style: The Thinking Person’s Guide to Writing in the 21st Century.
Describe ACL in three words: Caring, Professional, Engaged.
What do you value about ACL? I’m grateful for ACL’s efforts to connect a variety of professionals across the United States from a diverse group of libraries and institutions and the great job it does of reminding members that we’re part of an international community. Additionally, ACL provides opportunities for personal and professional growth through TCL, volunteer opportunities, and the annual conference.
What do you as an academic librarian contribute to your campus? As the library director, I’m charged with planning library services that align with my institution’s mission and values, but because I work for a small college I have the opportunity to routinely interact with many of the faculty and students. These interactions allow for me to both advocate for the library and to educate internal stakeholders about the services and support the library provides. I also teach a campus-wide information literacy course that provides a direct benefit to students as they see their information seeking skills improve.
In your own words: Working as a library director allows me to exercise a variety of professional and scholarly skills both inside the library and across campus. I can think of few jobs in higher education that provide such a breadth of tasks and responsibilities than those faced by an academic librarian, and I cannot think of a career that I would find more fulfilling!