Not of this world

Confirmed a date to participate in a panel for a Library Journal webinar about data-driven collection analysis and evidence-based decision making. Terrified, but excited about the opportunity.
Gayle, support services librarian

Submitted a query to Neal-Schuman Publishers for a potential book on Readers' Advisory and spoke to my manager about potential projects that may be in the pipeline for the two years in which we are relocated. I was reminded a lot this week that there are multiple ways of succeeding and developing professionally.
Hillary, librarian

When pressured to use his nascent power over the people to overthrow the oppressive Roman empire, Jesus said that his kingdom was not of this world -- meaning earth, our physical bodies... and Roman politics. Gayle and Hillary recognize that while they live in the world of our particular library system (which is by no means an oppressive empire, I am quick to point out!), they also know that they are participants in a larger world -- that of library organizations like the ALA (American Library Association) and publications like Library Journal.

(As much as I respect ALA and the Library Journal, I am not claiming they are the heavenly kingdom, either, though they do represent, I suppose, a heaven-like ideal of connected librarians sharing knowledge and support.)

As Introduction to Public Librarianship author Kathleen de la Pena McCook points out in a chapter called "Connections" -- which I immediately skipped to, since every other word I seem to be using in this blog is "connect" or "connection"-- "Public librarians have demonstrated prescient leadership in collaboration beyond their own local boundaries to extend and expand library service." 

Both Hillary and Gayle are part of the much larger and historical tradition of public librarians who know that their kingdom is larger than the boundaries of their particular library system. They are committed to their daily work in their Tulsa City-County Library departments, but they recognize the need to share what they know with other colleagues, and to participate in the national conversation in libraries.

As someone who would like to do the same, I'm inspired by their example.