Keep Shining and Hoping! – 02/2022

“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength, they will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:29-3 NIV)

Seventeen years ago, on the eve of my best friend’s surgery to remove a tumor in her shoulder, God gave me a vision of an eagle soaring and the accompanying verses in Isaiah 40:29-31.

Read more

Nathanael Davis – 01/2022

Nathanael is the STEM/Business Liaison Librarian at Cedarville University in Cedarville, OH (4,500 FTE). Nathanael has been an ACL member since 2020.

Read more

The Sound of Silence – 01/2022

“Then Moses and the levitical priests spoke to all Israel, saying: Keep silence and hear, O Israel! This very day you have become the people of the Lord your God.” (Deuteronomy 27:9 NSRV)

As the 27th chapter of Deuteronomy begins, Moses has assembled Israel on the plains of Moab for a second announcement of their covenant with Yahweh. He outlines the blessings (or curses) the people should expect based upon their faithfulness (or unfaithfulness) to the covenant.

Read more

Gwendolyn Peart – 12/2021

Gwendolyn is the Director of Library and Archives at Charlotte Christian College & Theological Seminary in Charlotte, NC (140 FTE). Gwendolyn first joined ACL in 2021.

Describe yourself using a book title: What Do You Do With a Chance? by Kobi Yamada and Mae Besom and his other book What Do You Do With an Idea? I would describe myself as being inspirational. Sometimes something amazing happens and my confidence grows, oftentimes a chance comes my way and I have an opportunity to do something with it.

What’s the best thing about being a librarian? The best thing about being a librarian is having an opportunity to encourage others to be lifelong learners and avid library patrons.

Read more

Think Carefully about Your Ways – 12/2021

The lord of Armies says this: “Think carefully about your ways.” (Haggai 1:7 CSB)

“Son, think about what you are doing, or you will lose a finger,” were my words to Kevin Jr., who was holding a hand saw. My 11-year-old son and I were cutting down trees in our backyard and my encouragement was to think carefully about the task at hand.

Read more

Robert Burgess – 11/2021

Robert is the Serials and Electronic Resources Librarian at Mississippi College in Clinton, MS (5,000 FTE). He has been an ACL member for 10 years.

Twitter handle: @RobLeeBurgess

Describe yourself using a book title: This Book Is Overdue!: How Librarians and Cybrarians Can Save Us by Marilyn Johnson

What’s the best thing about being a librarian? I really enjoy helping students become successful so that they can complete their life goals.

Read more

Worship Him in Our Zeal and Fatigue – 11/2021

“Let them praise your great and awesome name! Holy is he!” (Psalm 99:3 ESV)

As a long-distance runner in college, there were a couple of times I ran to a different town, which was about ten miles away. The excitement was there to run to the next town; however, fatigue set in so I needed a ride back from a friend.

Read more

Jennifer Brady – 10/2021

Jennifer is the Director at the Springfield Campus Library at Southwest Baptist University in Springfield, MO (2,805 FTE). She has been an ACL member since 2018.

Describe yourself using a book title: The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy I know that sounds weird, but at different times, I am one, or all four of these. I am always asking questions, seeking God’s wisdom, unsure of myself, yet striving to always be kind and to be a friend to all those I meet.

What’s the best thing about being a librarian? In some way, I believe I always wanted to be a librarian. I would help in the library in elementary school, shelving books. I created a library in the local homeless shelter for my Gold Award project in Girl Scouts that remained in operation until the shelter closed 25 years later. It wasn’t until I began my career as a public librarian, and later a health science librarian though that I truly realized how people gravitate to libraries when they are hurting or need a safe space. As a teacher, I believed the best thing was seeing the “ah-ha” moments in a student’s educational journey. As a teaching librarian, I still love those breakthroughs and cherish each one but even more, my cup is filled when a student tells me they come to the library because it is comforting, relaxing, or a welcoming place for them. I love hearing that we have succeeded in creating a space within the library where all of our students feel welcomed, valued, and wanted.

Read more

Learning from God’s Foolishness – 10/2021

Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?…For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength. Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth…It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is our righteousness, holiness, and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:20, 25-26; 30-31 NIV)

It’s back-to-school time, one of my favorite seasons of the year. I enjoy this special time of the year when we celebrate learning and the potential for growth in knowledge. As a Christian instruction librarian, however, the season comes with its pitfalls. Self-assured and self-reliant, I flit between classrooms flaunting the ease of using online resources, seamlessly showcasing research skills to students and faculty. Inevitably, thank you notes full of profuse praise follow my visit, which I store in an “atta girl” folder in my email. I don’t claim to have all the answers, but, in a shallow attempt to earn their trust, I sure act like I do when I want to impress faculty and students with my capabilities.

Read more

Gregg Geary – 09/2021

Gregg is the Dean of the Library at Biola University in La Mirada, CA (4,830 FTE). He has been an ACL member since 2014.

Describe yourself using a book title: A Man for All Seasons (a play and film rather than a book but a literary product nonetheless)

What’s the best thing about being a librarian? As someone who is fascinated by just about everything I find librarianship to be a great career to discover and learn about God’s creation and our role in it. I can’t think of a better profession for a generalist with a lot of curiosity. I can’t decide if I would call myself a Renaissance man or just a guy with ADD.

Read more