David is a Librarian at Appalachian Bible College in Mount Hope, WV (167 FTE). David has been an ACL member since 2011.
Describe yourself using a book title: Winning the War in Your Mind: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life
What’s the best thing about being a librarian? I am most fulfilled when I see a student understands the research process and can continue on their own.
What are you currently reading? Faith and Learning on the Edge: A Bold New Look at Religion in Higher Education
Describe ACL in three words: Encouraging, understanding colleagues
How do you (or How have you), as an academic librarian, contribute to your campus? I am a member of the teaching faculty in addition to my librarian responsibilities, so I incorporate information literacy instruction into my classes. I also serve on various committees, and I manage the online classes that are offered.
I began my career as a librarian… as a student library assistant at Appalachian Bible College (ABC). I enjoyed the setting of the library, but at the time I did not expect to do it after college. As the Lord led me into pursuing librarianship a few years after I graduated, I was leaning toward being a Young Adult Librarian in a public library somewhere. The librarian I had worked under at ABC was getting ready to retire at the same time I was completing my MLS, though, so the position opened up, and I have been here ever since. I have found that college students are my favorite demographic to work with, and I value the variety of tasks I am given to do here.
What do you value about ACL? The interaction with specific groups, like the Solo Librarians Interest Group and the Bible Core Section, encourages me that I am not alone in what I do.
How were you introduced to ACL? The previous librarian whom I replaced encouraged me to join ACL.
How are you or have you been involved in ACL? On a few occasions I have shared resources through ILL (when someone else didn’t beat me to it), and I am one of the managers of the BCS LibGuide. I have been to two conferences in person and the last two online, and when there is an online option I intend to participate in every conference.
Do you have any specific interests in the library world? Technology is my primary interest when it comes to library services, and I hope to grow in my skills with that.