Blog

Mary Logue – 08/2018

Mary is the Director of Library and Information Services at Westmont College (FTE: 1200) in Santa Barbara, California. She has been a member of ACL for 8 years.

Twitter Handle: @rockingoalie

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David Hajdik – 06/2018

David is a Librarian and Associate Professor at Tennessee Technical University (FTE: 11,000) in Cookeville, Tennessee. He has been a member of ACL since 2006.

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Only One Thing – 06/2018

“But only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:42 NASB)

If someone were to ask me about characteristics of librarians, one thought that comes to mind is that librarians are “helpers!” One only has to observe the ACL discussion list to notice how willing librarians are to assist one another. This is not true of all occupations. Librarians, however, seem to truly enjoy helping and serving. This is a commendable trait. Our desire to serve, however, may lead to overtime, long “to do” lists, and taking on additional responsibilities. We can become frustrated, overworked, and anxious about getting everything done. Listen to the words of Jesus in Luke 10: 41-42 when Martha asked him to tell Mary to assist her in preparing the meal for her guests:

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Elizabeth Fairall – 05/2018

Elizabeth is the Digital Services Librarian at Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach, FL (3500 FTE). Elizabeth has been a member of ACL since 2013.

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God Alone Suffices – 05/2018

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink, nor about your body, what you shall put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?…Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Let the day’s own trouble be sufficient for the day.” (Matthew 6:25-34 RSV)

God reminds us of the basics sometimes through the most surprising people. I expect Matthew 6 is a well- known passage to those of us who grew up attending church, but how often in the midst of busy or worrying times do we forget entirely about it? Or we think, “Yes, we really shouldn’t worry; we know God is in control, but…”

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Jeremy Labosier – 04/2018

Jeremy is the Assistant Dean of the Library at Biola University in La Mirada, CA (6095 FTE).

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The Cloud Before and Behind You – 04/2018

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” (Hebrews 12:1 NIV)

As Christians, we frequently reflect on those who have impacted our faith and are part of our “great cloud of witnesses,” but we may not always reflect on those who have played a role in our professional journey. There may be the librarian who encouraged a love for reading or assisted in a difficult research project and thus sparked an interest in pursuing librarianship as a career. Perhaps a professor encouraged you to develop skills that are now second nature, or a conference speaker helped to plant an idea that has now bloomed into a useful library service. A colleague might have encouraged you to take the next step in your professional journey. Many ACL members would include fellow members, past and present, who have served as official or unofficial mentors as part of their “great cloud of witnesses.”

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Amy James – 03/2018

Amy is the Emerging Technologies Librarian as well as an Assistant Professor at Spring Arbor University in Spring Arbor, MI (3341 FTE). Amy has been a member of ACL for 5 years.

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Living Godly Lives in a Pagan Society – 03/2018

“Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” (I Peter 2:12, NIV)

I changed jobs last year, moving from a Christian college to a community college after working in Christian higher education for over twenty years. One of the things that scared me most was the thought of having to keep my mouth shut regarding spiritual matters. I thought that I would not have the opportunity to share the gospel with anyone, or that I could not mention the name of Jesus to others. I was wrong. As I get to know the students, staff, faculty, and administration, I have been pleasantly surprised at the number of Christians I encounter on a daily basis.

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Eric Bradley – 02/2018

Eric is the Head of Research and Instruction at Goshen College in Goshen, IN (796 FTE). Eric has been a member of ACL for 11 years.

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