Member of the Month

Describe yourself using a book title: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (current covid environment and unexpected opportunities!)

What’s the best thing about being a librarian? Having such a variety of things I can learn, do, and share! As part of an academic community I have opportunities to collaborate with faculty and other departments, to attend stimulating presentations and author talks, to use assessment to make a difference for students, and to help create an inviting destination for connection and growth.

Describe yourself using a book title: To Kill a Mockingbird

What’s the best thing about being a librarian? The best thing about being a librarian are the opportunities for growth and service. Each day is a learning experience as we engage our students and faculty.

Describe yourself using a book title: An Everlasting Meal: Cooking with Economy and Grace

What’s the best thing about being a librarian? I enjoy investing in students. The opportunity to be a part of a person’s education is a gift.

Describe yourself using a book title: Winning the War in Your Mind: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life

What’s the best thing about being a librarian? I am most fulfilled when I see a student understands the research process and can continue on their own.

Describe yourself using a book title: Pilgrim’s Progress – goes along with my blog Sojourner Pilgrim’s Diary: the extraordinary life of an ordinary person

What’s the best thing about being a librarian? Access to and privilege of helping to preserve and share such rich resources about God and the Christian life

Describe yourself using a book title: What Do You Do With a Chance? by Kobi Yamada and Mae Besom and his other book What Do You Do With an Idea? I would describe myself as being inspirational. Sometimes something amazing happens and my confidence grows, oftentimes a chance comes my way and I have an opportunity to do something with it.

What’s the best thing about being a librarian? The best thing about being a librarian is having an opportunity to encourage others to be lifelong learners and avid library patrons.

Twitter handle: @RobLeeBurgess

Describe yourself using a book title: This Book Is Overdue!: How Librarians and Cybrarians Can Save Us by Marilyn Johnson

What’s the best thing about being a librarian? I really enjoy helping students become successful so that they can complete their life goals.

Describe yourself using a book title: The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy I know that sounds weird, but at different times, I am one, or all four of these. I am always asking questions, seeking God’s wisdom, unsure of myself, yet striving to always be kind and to be a friend to all those I meet.

What’s the best thing about being a librarian? In some way, I believe I always wanted to be a librarian. I would help in the library in elementary school, shelving books. I created a library in the local homeless shelter for my Gold Award project in Girl Scouts that remained in operation until the shelter closed 25 years later. It wasn’t until I began my career as a public librarian, and later a health science librarian though that I truly realized how people gravitate to libraries when they are hurting or need a safe space. As a teacher, I believed the best thing was seeing the “ah-ha” moments in a student’s educational journey. As a teaching librarian, I still love those breakthroughs and cherish each one but even more, my cup is filled when a student tells me they come to the library because it is comforting, relaxing, or a welcoming place for them. I love hearing that we have succeeded in creating a space within the library where all of our students feel welcomed, valued, and wanted.

Describe yourself using a book title: A Man for All Seasons (a play and film rather than a book but a literary product nonetheless)

What’s the best thing about being a librarian? As someone who is fascinated by just about everything I find librarianship to be a great career to discover and learn about God’s creation and our role in it. I can’t think of a better profession for a generalist with a lot of curiosity. I can’t decide if I would call myself a Renaissance man or just a guy with ADD.