Jim is the Vice President of Library Services at Northeastern Baptist College (FTE: 50) in Bennington, VT. He has been a member of ACL since 2012.
Describe yourself using a book title: Let My People Know: American Indian Journalism, 1828-1978 by James Emmett Murphy
What’s the best thing about being a librarian? Matching a person with the information they need to succeed.
What are you currently reading? Bold Love by Dan B Allender
Describe ACL in three words: Engaging / Inspiring / Essential
How have you, as an academic librarian, contributed to your campus? I serve as a Vice President on my campus. The Lord has given me the honor, and also the very challenging work, of being one of the founding members of our staff.
I began my career as a librarian . . . because of a passion I have to give people information. I grew up in a setting where people did not know how to find, evaluate, or use information wisely, so I made it my life goal to provide that service to people seeking information to better their lives.
My professional career began …just shy of 40 years ago, as a library clerk in a work/study setting at a college library. Since then, I have earned an MLS degree, and have worked in a library consortium setting, in a public library doing reference, in Christian college settings, both online and in-person, and as a church librarian and church archivist. I have enjoyed all these positions very much.
One thing I wish I had known as a beginning librarian . . .That even though the early years often seemed daunting, boring, or lonely, my work would be quite fascinating, varied, thrilling, and rewarding.
What do you value about ACL? I see it as essential to my job, and a joy to be a member of. Through ACL conferences, collegial projects such as the ABHE Library Guidelines, and other interactions I learn what I need to know to be effective in my position, and I have the joy of fellowshipping with other like-minded librarians from the US and Canada.
How were you introduced to ACL? When I became a theological librarian, I found ACL on the web.
How are you or have you been involved in ACL? I serve as convener for the Solo Librarians Interest Group, which I enjoy immensely. We are a geographically isolated group that finds and builds great community through the Conference, e-mail, and Zoom meetings as we build up one another in our “we have to fly solo” environments.
Do you have any specific interests in the library world? I enjoy collecting and cataloging antiquarian books in our rare books room, and I am thrilled to manage the archival collection at my 257-year-old church.