The Deeper Call – 03/2020

“As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him—you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1:4-5 NIV)

Who are we? As we read these verses from 1 Peter, may we remember that we are not primarily librarians, and our main job—even at work—is not to provide research help, create tutorials, or select new resources. Our roles and responsibilities as Christian librarians are merely the manifestation of the deeper call on our lives. This deeper call is for all of us who “have tasted that the Lord is good” (1 Pet. 2:3).

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Linda Brogden – 02/2020

Linda is the Head Librarian at Valley Christian Schools (2,300 JH/HS Students) in San Jose, CA. She has been a member of ACL since 2013.

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Our Refuge – 02/2020

“The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my rock where I seek refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” (Psalm 18:2 CSB)

As a librarian, I often hear how lucky I am to work in a quiet, calm place. This is true, but those of us “in the trenches” get to see a different side of libraries. We know they can at times also be as hectic and stressful as any other workplace. While most of us are wearing multiple hats and dealing with unanticipated challenges, we may not always see the library as a place of shelter and peace. However, the reality is that often our patrons see us as a refuge.

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Jeff Lash – 01/2020

Jeff is the Web and Theological Librarian at Cornerstone University (FTE: 1,600) in Grand Rapids, MI. He has been a member of ACL since 2016.

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Whatever You Ask… – 01/2020

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you..” (John 15:16 ESV)

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Nomsa Mathabela – 12/2019

Ntombikayise is the Assistant Librarian at the University of Eswatini in Manzini- Matsapa, Eswatini (formerly Swaziland). She has been a member of ACL since 2012.

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Advice from a Type A Librarian – 12/2019

“Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh.” (Ecclesiastes 12:12b ESV)

If I did not know better, I would think that Solomon wrote this verse just for me; however, I realize that it also may apply to other people—especially librarians. Like me, most of the librarians I know display at least some Type A personality behavior. In fact, this desire for perfection helps most of us do our jobs better.

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Qinqin Zhang – 11/2019

Qinqin is the Assistant Librarian of Information Literacy and E-Learning & E-Resources at Trinity Western University (FTE: 3,238) in Langley, British Columbia. She has been a member of ACL since 2017.

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A Place of Confrontation – 11/2019

“And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.” (2 Thessalonians 3:13 NIV)

What led you to become a Christian? What led you to become a librarian? More importantly, what has led you to remain a Christian librarian through the passage of time? As Christians, engaging with our loved ones and neighbors in a world increasingly ignorant and hostile toward the faith can push us to retreat or to abandon our hope. As librarians, leaving the honeymoon phase of our work along with the awe that once drew us to libraries can result in discouragement and burnout. As Christian librarians, we are challenged with staying true to our calling, both spiritually and professionally.

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Bob Triplett – 10/2019

Bob is a Reference Librarian at Palm Beach Atlantic University (FTE: 3,019) in West Palm Beach, FL. He has been a member of ACL since 1983.

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