Andrea N Abernathy is a librarian at Judson College (FTE: 323) in Marion, AL. She has been a member of ACL since 2010.
Describe yourself using a book title: Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom
More and more I find that the Lord is my hiding place and my rock. A high school teacher shared the Hiding Place with me when I was 16 and I thought I understood the major lessons that Ms. ten Boom shared from her life, but now, many years later, I know through my own experiences that God is my rock and my life is hidden in Him. It is liberating to have such a God.
What’s the best thing about being a librarian? I love working with my students. Because we are a small campus, I handle most of the research requests, which gives me a lot of time to guide students in their development as learners. My desire is to equip our students to be life-long learners, who follow and serve Christ. Every day I get to teach them how to handle information and that is an extraordinary thing.
What are you currently reading? Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson
Describe ACL in three words: Professionalism, Encouragement, Unity
How do you, as an academic librarian, contribute to your campus? My contribution to Judson College is most evident in my availability and presence for the students. To me this means having an open door policy and never being too busy to assist a student. Aside from that, I have had the opportunity to serve on the Quality Enhancement Committee in relation to our accreditation association. I also have truly enjoyed working with campus ministries to lead short term mission trips.
One thing I wish I had known as a beginning librarian... I wish that I had known so much more of the practical side to librarianship: how to catalog, negotiate with vendors, navigate a system. For librarians at one-or-two person libraries, all these skills are important. I wasn’t quite ready to do these things on day one.
How were you introduced to ACL? I am not even sure how I was introduced to ACL, but I think it was through Cedarville University. I visited the library on the last day of my internship at the University of Dayton and I remember the sweet spirits of Lynn Funtik and Tonya Fawcett. Once I was hired at Judson College, I remember looking up ACL, but I think that afternoon at Cedarville was crucial.
What do you value about ACL? ACL has given me such strength in the collective unity of the members. When I do not know something, I can ask with the knowledge that there will be an answer which is given in the spirit of Christ. I think about the first century church and how they shared and no one had need. ACL makes sure that none of us are in need in our profession. When I was brand new, and did not know how to catalog, or which materials to buy for our new programs, ACL members were there with help. I love ACL. We encourage each other and inspire each other in our profession.