We are all learners together…Or how not to compare yourself and celebrate your wins.

Through conversations with many of my colleagues at conferences – I hear a common thread (other than their passion for their work).  I hear it over and over and it secretly confirms issues I’m struggling with as well. The conversation goes something like this – Is our work good enough?  Are we doing enough? Are we doing as much as others?  I hear it from newer librarians and experienced presenters as well.  I hear it on Twitter in Twitter chats, but more often in quiet […]

How libraries can provide a forum for civil discourse

This fall,  I decided to start lunchtime sessions to discuss the debates and politics and to promote civil discourse(see previous post).  Honestly, I primarily started this as a means of sharing more of my personal passions with students at our large high school, but it’s turned out to be unexpectedly important example of how libraries can provide a forum for ideas. To my surprise over 40 students showed up for the first lunch meetings(over the course of two lunches).  I set some ground rules for civil […]