In this life, it is a given that we shall encounter problems, calamities, troubles, and pandemics. We have been told that, “… In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 NIV). I get comfort from this word every time I look at the news, every time I learn of the passing on of a loved one, and every time I am on the verge of giving up due to the pressures of workplace issues and family predicaments. Losing several relatives within a space of a year led me to reflect a bit, and reading this verse gave me courage to spare a minute or two to help students in similar positions of pressure and loss.
Be Encouraged – 09/2021
Jodi Brown – 08/2021
Describe yourself using a book title: Curious George Goes to the Library
What’s the best thing about being a librarian? Being able to share my love of reading with my students by introducing them to the wonderful world books have to offer. I love seeing that light bulb go off when they discover how wonderful books are.
Seferino Esparza – 07/2021
Describe yourself using a book title: Knowing God by J.I. Packer. In all that I do, I want to know Christ.
What’s the best thing about being a librarian? There are two things that I enjoy about being a librarian: serving others and knowledge. It’s not a secret that at the heart of librarianship is serving others by assisting them with the information (or knowledge) they are seeking. On the one hand, we model Christ’s command to love others (service) and on the other hand, we provide hope (information). Information (or knowledge) can bring hope to a person who needs it.
Alyssa Sultanik – 06/2021
Twitter Handle: @mrssultanik
Describe yourself using a book title: Getting Things Done
What’s the best thing about being a librarian? I love being able to help people and to see them succeed in their academic endeavors.
His Grace is Sufficient – 06/2021
The pandemic has been extraordinary to us in many aspects. In my tiny little world, it has been by far the busiest professionally, given all the work pivoting to online information literacy teaching and reference support. Living by myself, I sometimes struggle with the feeling of isolation, while having to deal with a new chronic pain condition. Life has not been very easy. I remember praying to the Lord for the strength and wisdom I needed to go through each day.
Gary Fitsimmons – 05/2021
Describe yourself using a book title: Paradoxology: Why Christianity Was Never Meant to Be Simple by Krish Kandiah. I haven’t read the book, but it sounds like my life message!
What’s the best thing about being a librarian? The best thing about being a librarian is being able to help students when they don’t even know they need help.
Just Bury Your Head in the Sand – 05/2021
Do you ever feel that way? I admit to you that sometimes I don’t have the mental energy to take in what is happening around us.
Stephanie Leupp – 04/2021
Describe yourself using a book title: I had to ask my best friend, and she said A Girl of the Limberlost almost immediately. Now I need to go read that!
What’s the best thing about being a librarian? Not having to work outside and working in a quiet environment.
What I Know to Be True – 04/2021
This last year has brought many weeks and months of uncertainty for everyone. The pandemic changed how everything was to operate within our libraries, workplaces, and even homes. My sense of communication changed dramatically, without the cues from body language seen when communicating face to face. And, of course, let’s not forget heated elections and world news.
Rory Patterson – 03/2021
Twitter Handle: @rory_patt
Describe yourself using a book title: The Grace Awakening by Charles R. Swindoll. This book introduced me to the reality of lived grace. I try to live daily in the awareness of God’s grace, both giving and receiving grace, and to journal what grace I received each day.
What’s the best thing about being a librarian? To me, the best thing about being a librarian is meeting others’ needs. I get to meet informational needs in reference and instruction events. As a team, we meet many types of resource needs. I work with departments to meet job needs in hiring. As Christian librarians, we meet spiritual needs via praying and peer discipling.