Kelly is the Learning Resource Center Director at Indigenous Bible College/Gordon Fraser Learning Resource Center in Flagstaff, AZ (30 FTE). She has been a member of ACL for 3 years.
Librarian Career
One thing I wish I had known as an early career librarian…It’s a marathon, not a race. There are going to be things you want to do constantly and improve on in the library, but taking it slow and prioritizing quality over quantity, especially as a solo librarian, allows us to continue serving the staff and students to the best of our ability in the long run.
Between the Pages: Getting to Know Our Member of the Month
Describe yourself using a book title: The Absolute True Diary of a Part Time Indian
What’s the best thing about being a librarian? The best thing about being a librarian is seeing the lightbulbs go off, from both staff and students. It is being able to serve as a stepping stone in their lifelong learning journey beyond the library walls.
What are you currently reading? Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop by Hwang Boreum
How do you as a librarian contribute to your campus or community? As a librarian, I provide research and reference assistance, IT support, and classroom instruction as needed. I also help head up our community garden and have helped put together our campus museum, which highlights the school’s history and the relationship between Christian missions and Indigenous Tribes.
Do you have any specific interests in the library world? I am particularly passionate about Indigenous Information Literacy and Instruction. As a Navajo (Diné) librarian, this work is personal. It is still a developing concept in our field, and I am committed to ensuring the community I serve—who are primarily Indigenous brothers and sisters—receives instruction that honors our cultural values. By incorporating our unique ways of knowing, we can better equip students to contribute to the scholarly conversation and enable them to fulfill the IBC mission: ‘…to empower Indigenous Christ-followers for ministry to the Nations.’
What are your hobbies or interests outside of work? I like to be outside when I can. Whether it’s hiking or hammocking with a good book, my 12-year-old pup tends to keep up. I love music and spending time with friends and the spiritual family the Lord has provided in my life.
ACL Involvement
How were you introduced to ACL? I was introduced to ACL through our previous library director.
Describe ACL in three words: Encouraging. Supportive. Innovative.
What do you value about ACL? I value the community ACL has brought to me, particularly through the list serv and google groups. As a solo librarian, it can feel isolating, but with ACL, I understand I am not alone in facing the diverse challenges that come along with serving our communities.
How are you or have you been involved in ACL? I attended the ACL conference last year and truly appreciated the many workshops, speakers, and networking opportunities provided. I think being a solo librarian while pursuing my MLIS full-time leaves little room to give back to ACL as much as I would like. I think, after I receive my MLIS (Lord-willing, Spring 2027), I would want to host a workshop, present a poster session, and/or attend more conferences.