Member of the Month

7/2024 – Max Burson

Max is retired from Friends University in Wichita, KS where he served as Library Director and Public Services Librarian. Max has been a member of ACL since 1996. Over his years as an ACL member he has attended many ACL Annual Conferences and has served as a mentor.

Describe yourself using a book title: Renaissance Man

What’s the best thing about being a librarian? Serving students, faculty, staff, and the general public

What are you currently reading? The Accidental President: Harry S. Truman and the Four Months That Changed the World

Describe ACL in three words: Professionalism, Faith, Sharing

How have you contribute to your campus? Before retirement I contributed by teaching library research, performing library administrative work, management of the Friends archive and Quaker Room, and photographing university events.

I began my career as a librarian…in 1989 working at the University of Missouri Otto Lottes Health Science Library as a Graduate Assistant. I was the destroyer U.S.S. Leary DD-879 Ship Librarian 1970-1972.

What do you value about ACL? Friendships, mentorship, learning and the spiritual aspect’s of our organization.

How were you introduced to ACL? My Library Director Jon Sparks in 1995 found ACL on the Web looking for a conference to attend that had professional, academic and spiritual events for learning as a librarian.

How are you or have you been involved in ACL? I have been a presenter 7 times, poster session once, new member mentor 4 times, taken pictures at conference since 1995 and gave the ACL Office a hard drive of 15,000 pictures from conferences.

Do you have any specific interests in the library world? Teaching library research and archival work dealing with the history of Friends University and Quaker Archives and Genealogy.