Dear American Library Association (ALA),

You're supposed to be an advocacy organization. Someone who represents our profession, someone who represents me. You're not supposed to be telemarketing like a credit card company, but that is what I find you doing to me.

Why? Because I didn't renew my membership this year. When I explain to you why (don't have the extra-cash, not attending this years conferences, moving across the country for another job, and a vague sense that membership isn't quite worth it) you don't seem to get it (or accept it).

The first call (after many and continued mailings) alerting me of my elapsed membership was fine; I can understand outreach. But that call quickly turned telemarket-y as I was faced with a number of rebuttals to my decision and explanation. I understand that the organization needs money and membership to continue to operate, I really do, but you need to also understand that I am an adult and accept my decision. Oh and when I ask for you to call me back in a few months after my transition to the new job please don't call me within a week of your initial phone call.

Sadly, now I find myself not answering my phone when it rings the tone set for calls coming from off campus. ALA, I have nothing against you. I even believe you serve a purpose in the library world but you need to respect a person's decision.

Best,

A former and likely future member of the ALA 

What have I been up to?

Inspiried by (or blatantly stolen from) Jenica over at Attempting Elegance I've decided to share some of the projects I have been working on recently.  

Crumb Library Book Exchange

A few weeks ago I took the lead on a free book exchange idea that had been kicked around the library for some time. It appears that after three weeks it's at least half working. Books and magazines have been flying off the shelf, what's unclear at this point is whether the books will be returned or if the community will contribute to the exchange.

(image via Jenica @attempting elegance)

National Poetry Month Haiku Board

Based on an idea/request/directive tweeted (of all things!) to me from Jenica, our director I created a display using the offical National Poetry Month poster encouraging people to write a haiku to share. 

Bregman Book Events

This year I have been in charge of organizing the Bregman Books Discussion series. This series is made possible from an endowment from the Bregman's. The aim is to purchase notable and popular works for recreational reading and to promote the humanities through a discussion series. Changing the format a bit, I've reduced the number of events from 4 to 2 and attempted to make better connections between the participating faculty members, their departments/subjects and their classes. The first event revolved around The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. The discussants were engaging and interesting, one of the participants even brought a tumor in a pickle jar as a prop. Overall the event was well attended (nearly 30 people) and the attendees asked great questions. The second event event was also a success drawing around 22 attendees and was entirely organized and orchestrated by an intern who was working for me through the College's honors program. 

(image via Jenica @attempting elegance)

What's next?

So what's on my radar for the next 2.5 months before I take flight? Aside from wrapping up this semseter's teaching and reference duties I've recently realized I have two journal articles I need to either write or finish writing I need prepare others for the handoff of various campus and state delegate responsibilities, and determine what things I need to pass on to the person who will eventually replace me. The next couple of months will be a whirlwind of activity and hopefully it'll be worth the ride. 

Our Google Ranking

I guess I'm glad we ranked second. 

A (graphic) novel approach

The Miller Library at McPherson College created a graphic novel guide to their library centered around a zombie infestation. It looks like it was a very ambitious project that was made possible by having a few people on staff who had previous worked in comics and the partnerships made possible by that work. 

Check out the comic:

Library of the Living Dead: Your Guide to the Miller Library at McPherson College

Regardless of how you feel about comics, zombies or libraries you should realize that these are the types of projects that will bring attention to your library, help achieve institutional goals, and prove that the library doesn't take itself too seriously. 

Each library could capitalize on the internal and perhaps undiscovered talents of your staff to create something different, something exciting. We should all periodically ask ourselves, "What can we create today?"

A new chapter, professionally speaking.

I've accepted a librarian position with Scottsdale Community College in sunny (fiery?) Arizona. This means I will be finishing up my position at SUNY Potsdam in the beginning July and heading back west.

I have enjoyed my time at SUNY Potsdam and couldn't be more grateful for the opportunities and mentoring I've received. I am looking forward to the this next chapter and the challenges that the position will bring.