Category: Work

Experiments in Library Directorship: What’s still up in the air

It's not that I'm not trying. Here are two experiments I'm currently running: Getting out in front of the book ban trend: In addition to revising and getting approval for all the usual policies (Collection Development, Patron Behavior, Community Room Use, Internet Use, etc.), I have instituted a few things that fly in the face … Continue reading Experiments in Library Directorship: What’s still up in the air →

The little I’ve learned as Library Director

After a year-and-a-half of directing a small public library, I have learned very little, except that I really didn't learn much about directing a library in library school. Library & Information Science education is all about becoming philosophically, intellectually, and emotionally a member of the profession. That means that I have come to understand, support, … Continue reading The little I’ve learned as Library Director →

The “Transgender Movement” and the Bathroom Question

I know I'm going to get some grief on this. I'm not so stupid that I don't know posting anything on the internet means anything you say can and will eventually be used against you in the court of public opinion. But I can't keep my big, impulsive mouth shut. In the interest of clear … Continue reading The “Transgender Movement” and the Bathroom Question →

“Paranoid” Librarian Fight Song

Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they aren't after you.Joseph Heller Gotta find a way, a better wayKurt Cobain In what kind of bizarre world are public and school librarians targeted with social media lists and hunted down by large roving gangs of so-called patriots who speak defense of the Constitution out of one side … Continue reading “Paranoid” Librarian Fight Song →

Independence Day Collection Audit?

I was prompted by this new "threat" called a "First Amendment Audit" (basically, as it concerns public libraries, an excuse for conservatives to visit a library, some for the first time in their lives, and be rude to librarians, whom they presuppose with a high degree of accuracy to be liberals) to build a collection … Continue reading Independence Day Collection Audit? →

DEI, Islam, and the White Christian Community’s Public Library Collection

"I'm a big believer that your collection should match your community's demographics," Lance Werner of Kent District Library (KDL) said, in the course of a "primer" on handling materials challenges. (Not his exact words; I'm doing this from memory.) The coop meeting was dominated by directors from small, rural libraries that serve communities that probably … Continue reading DEI, Islam, and the White Christian Community’s Public Library Collection →

The Wonderful Problem with Policies

I have been immersed in my position as the Director of Dorr Library, thinking "when I figure out this or that, I'll blog about it." The problem is, I find myself in a continual learning state, never figuring out this or that, just getting a little closer, refining attempts and putting ideas through yet another … Continue reading The Wonderful Problem with Policies →

Preface to a discussion of a middle-grade novel

It's strange living in our old house, now that Uncle Roderick is dead. I already know my house is haunted. It's always been haunted. ... Too Bright to See, page 1 Thinking of writing an article that starts like this: Reading is a highly personal, subjective act. This is true because language does not allow … Continue reading Preface to a discussion of a middle-grade novel →

Exhausted, Early-Morning Reflections on the First 3 Weeks

Omg, y'all. There is so much to learn, so much they just can't teach you in library school. I have 2 long lists of things I want to accomplish, one largely created before I started (check out "New Director" resources, learn the particulars, meet the community, etc.) and the other one I create on the … Continue reading Exhausted, Early-Morning Reflections on the First 3 Weeks →