With Valentine’s Day right around the corner there are A LOT of people already wondering how to maneuver through the day. The flowers… the chocolates… the balloons. Those tokens of affection. Oh, my. Even the little ones who set their carefully -or not so carefully- decorated Valentine’s Day boxes in place are wild with excitement wondering how many valentines they will receive or if their current heartthrob
Matters of the Heart
William Modrow – 1/2024
An Exhortation
Be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded. (2 Chronicles 15:17 NIV)
Here we go again…a new year.
Rather than beginning the calendar with a recitation of past losses, challenges, and hurts.
Rather than wondering, “What now?” or “What next?”
Rachel Wallenbeck – 12/2023
You can follow her on Twitter: @w3tiger13
What and Whom Do I Represent?
A footbridge on my wooded undergraduate college campus was named after an early 20th century dean who told her students, “Remember who you are and what you represent.” Our college leaders continually reminded us that we were members of our college community and that we were to represent our college by upholding the honor code, the few rules, the rigorous liberal arts education, academic honesty, and to respect our fellow students and local community.
2024 ACL Annual Conference Update
Please make plans to join us at the 2024 ACL Annual Conference at the University of Northwestern – St. Paul in St. Paul, Minnesota June 10-12.
The conference theme, “The Great ACL Get Together: Connecting People, Connecting Ideas,” was inspired by the Minnesota State Fair’s slogan, “The Great Minnesota Get Together.” Our retro-style postcard logo, featuring custom drawings of popular Twin City sites by Nate Farley, mirrors the fair’s essence. Much like how fair attendees gather for entertainment, showcasing talents, exploring innovations, and savoring diverse food options (often on a stick), the ACL conference similarly brings together Christian librarians. It fosters personal connections while exchanging essential learning and faith-related ideas crucial to librarians’ growth and development.
The 2024 conference program promises relevance and practicality for the librarians ACL serves. We’re thrilled to announce our keynote speaker, author Samuel James. Based on his recent book Digital Liturgies: Rediscovering Christian Wisdom in an Online Age, he will explore the human need for embodied community in an online age through a recovery of Christian wisdom and with implications for the role of libraries.
Offering Continuing Education Units (CEUs) via ACL-Pro Plenary Workshops reaffirms our dedication to fostering continual professional growth and learning within our membership. These workshops are tailored to offer essential training and valuable insights covering topics of broad relevance to librarians. The 2024 ACL-Pro Plenary workshops will specifically address the popular topics of active learning and teaching, as well as AI/ChatGPT.
Our conference provides a platform for librarians and information professionals to contribute to the field and engage with their peers through presentations and poster sessions. By presenting at the ACL Conference, librarians can showcase their expertise, discuss innovative practices, and contribute to the ongoing development of the profession. We are accepting presentation proposals through December 8, 2023.
The cost for the 2024 conference can be found on our website to help you start planning for your attendance. We expect registration to open at the beginning of March 2024.
We look forward to welcoming you to the conference, ACL’s key event for 2024!
David Michels – 11/2023
Collection Development and Instruction Librarian – University of Mary Hardin-Baylor – Belton, TX
Job Summary
The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor’s Townsend Memorial Library seeks qualified faculty member, beginning in December 2023, with an initial appointment at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor (non-tenure track), commensurate with experience. UMHB seeks faculty who are active Christians and dedicated librarians to prepare students for leadership, service, and faith-informed discernment in a global society.
The Townsend Memorial Library supports instruction, research, creativity, and the advancement and transmission of knowledge as the University prepares students for leadership, service, and faith-informed discernment in a global society.
UMHB is conveniently located in Belton, an historic town of 22,000 in the heart of central Texas. Nearby cities are Temple (5 miles), Waco (45 miles), Austin (65 miles), San Antonio (130 miles) and Dallas/Ft. Worth (130 miles). Excellent schools, abundant cultural and recreational opportunities, and a high quality of life are hallmarks of the local community.
Remembering Joy
This is a well of remembrance. Here we draw life-giving water from springs that never run dry. Do you remember when you first fell in love with Jesus? That moment when you experienced His salvation that changed your life forever? This free and totally undeserved gift fills me with unspeakable joy, but it often gets lost in the busy day-to-day life of an information professional, mom, wife, volunteer, friend, sister, and daughter.
