The God Who Sees Us

“She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: ‘You are the God who sees me,’ for she said, ‘I have now seen the One who sees me’” (Genesis 16:13 NIV).

Being a librarian often feels like being invisible. It’s rare that people know exactly what it is we do. Many people believe librarians are two-dimensional beings that exist to shush people or who get to camp behind a reference desk and read whatever they want all day. Sometimes librarianship can feel like a thankless job. No one sees the long hours spent on cataloging, book display creation, or acquisitions.  No one sees the stress of patron-librarian interactions or the frustration of trying to keep library programs afloat. We often feel unseen in our struggles and in our work.

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11/2024 – John Leonetti

John is the Reference and Instruction Librarian at Naugatuck Valley Community College/Max R. Traurig Library in Waterbury, CT (2996 FTE). He has been a member of ACL for 8 years.

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Hope in the Midst of Uninvited Challenges

“I have said these things to you that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 ESV

Sometimes our hopes and expectations are dashed; things we would not have chosen happen to us or our loved ones. Sometimes these things are consequences of our own doings. Other times, these uninvited, difficult things, such as changes to or in our jobs, issues with colleagues or patrons, problems in work or family relationships, unanticipated changes in our institutions, or unexpected health issues, seem to just happen.

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10/2024 – Meredith Ader

Meredith is the Head of Research and Instruction at the Regent University Library in Virginia Beach, VA (12,000 FTE). Meredith has been a member of ACL since 2017.

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Robert Oliverio – 5/2023

Robert is the Head Librarian at Arizona Christian University in Glendale, AZ (946 FTE). Robert has been an ACL member since 2021.

Describe yourself using a book title: Rediscovering the Church Fathers: Who They Were and How They Shaped the Church or Body Piercing Saved My Life: Inside the Phenomenon of Christian Rock.

What’s the best thing about being a librarian? I love meeting patrons’ needs. Finding the exact item that someone needed is so satisfying.

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Jennifer Ewing – 4/2023

Jennifer is the Library Director at Southern California Seminary in El Cajon, CA (107 FTE). Jennifer has been an ACL member for 23 years.

Describe yourself using a book title: Sense and Sensibility

What’s the best thing about being a librarian? Having the exact book (piece of information) that a person wants.

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Time is Running Out – 09/2022

“Be careful how you walk, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:15–16 NASB)

My undergraduate college had a tradition of assigning secret pals to encourage one another with gifts and messages. One year my creative secret pal covered the door to my room with Time Magazine covers and a sign that read, “Time is running out…” I enjoyed looking at my door decoration as the end of the semester with term paper deadlines and final exams approached. The door decoration reminded neighbors in my dormitory of all the work they had to do.

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Julie Russell – 08/2022

Julie is a Library Assistant at Boise Bible College in Boise, ID (85 FTE). Julie has been an ACL member since 2020.

Describe yourself using a book title: Smart but Scattered

What’s the best thing about being a librarian? The best things change with any given day. I suppose that in itself is at the top of my list.

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Caleb May – 07/2022

Caleb is the Director of Library Services at Manhattan Christian College in Manhattan, KS (170 FTE). Caleb has been an ACL member since 2021. Follow Caleb on Twitter: @calebhmay

Describe yourself using a book title: There and Back Again

What’s the best thing about being a librarian? I love helping students and other patrons find the resources they need to be successful.

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Linda Poston – 06/2022

Linda is the Library Director at Messiah University in Mechanicsburg, PA (2368 FTE). Linda has been an ACL member for 25 years.

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.

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