Robert is the Electronic Resources and Reference Librarian at Dordt College (FTE: 1386) in Sioux Center, Iowa. He been a member of ACL for 2 years.
Twitter Handle: @robertlancaster
Describe yourself using a book title: This is the most difficult of these questions for me to answer so I am going to use more than one title. I’d say Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking (Susan Cain), Desiring the Kingdom: Worship, Worldview, and Cultural Formation (James K.A. Smith), and BiblioTech: Why Libraries Matter More Than Ever in the Age of Google (John Palfrey).
What’s the best thing about being a librarian? The best part of being a librarian is getting to help students with their research projects. It is very rewarding sitting down with a student to work through a question and seeing their relief when the time is done that we were able to find information for their project, and having them leave knowing how to use library resources better than they did when we started. Being able to do reference work in a wide variety of topics each day is also fun.
What are you currently reading? Disruptive Witness: Speaking Truth in a Distracted Age by Alan Noble and Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress by Steven Pinker
Describe ACL in three words: Helpful / Fun / Welcoming
How do you (or How have you), as an academic librarian, contribute to your campus? In addition to providing reference service and managing the electronic resources, I have served for the past 2 years as a scorer for the international student English language entrance exam.
I began my career as a librarian . . . two years ago, when I graduated with my MLIS and was hired to my current position here at Dordt College.
What do you value about ACL? I value that ACL is a small organization where members can really get to know each other. Even in two short years I feel like I have come to know some ACL members really well. It is fun to see each other at the annual conference, as well as meet new people. I value that we all have a common faith and a common vocation, so that we can come together and support each other well.
How were you introduced to ACL? I was first introduced to ACL by the library director here at Dordt.
How are you or have you been involved in ACL? I have attended the annual conference for the past two years, and I continue to write book reviews for The Christian Librarian.
Do you have any specific interests in the library world? Role of libraries in society, Technology