Member of the Month

Bethany Radcliffe – 8/2023

Bethany Radcliffe is the Adjunct Lecturer (Remote Position) at the iSchool of University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign, IL (33,000 FTE). Bethany has been a member of ACL since 2018.

Describe yourself using a book title: It depends on which hat I’m wearing. As a librarian, Book Woman of Troublesome Creek probably describes me best. Providing patrons with information at the point-of-need is my ultimate goal. I like to look for creative ways to meet information needs outside of the four walls of the library. As a parent, I’m attempting to convince my children that French Kids Eat Everything and that they should too!

What’s the best thing about being a librarian? Empowering patrons to conduct research confidently.

What are you currently reading? Fault Lines by Voddie Baucham Jr.

Describe ACL in three words: Christian, Informative, Community

How do you (or How have you), as an academic librarian, contribute to your campus? By teaching and equipping future library professionals, some of whom will pursue careers as academic librarians.

One thing I wish I had know as a beginning librarian…You don’t learn everything about being a librarian in graduate school. In fact, much of my learning occurred on the job.

What do you value about ACL? The Christian community of practice that it offers.

How were you introduced to ACL? My former boss, Dr. Ed Walton brought ACL to my attention.

How are you or have you been involved in ACL? I served as a member liaison of Commission for International Library Advancement (CILA) for a few years under Erin McCoy’s leadership.