40 Amazing Years

At the awards ceremony today, our library director was honored for 40 years of service. Can you imagine working in the same place for 40 years? And still being excellent at what you do? And still looking forward to coming to work every day (with joy, he said!)? I cannot fathom how that must feel. Al was asked to talk about his time here, and he presented us with a very humorous yet thoughtful and insightful speech which was well received.

He speculated on the future of print materials, what role digital media will play, whether we will ever tame the Internet, how the world might look in twenty years or so. To him, this changing environment represents a wonderful challenge to librarians with many opportunities to reinvent ourselves. He actually said "From my perspective, it’s still fun, if a little scary, to be an academic librarian!"

I couldn't help feeling proud of him and of his accomplishments over the years. He is a very humble person yet equal to a good fight should one be required. His annual reports are well phrased and his diplomacy is legendary. I have learned much from this man who has encouraged me to learn to be less of a lightning rod and more of a barrier remover. How much easier it is to see how my own headstrong and passionate pleadings for some quest could be presented to better effect in light of his actions and approaches.

He cited a number of influential people who helped him grow from a young inexperienced librarian to the remarkable person he is today. If I ever were to make such a list, his name would definitely be on mine. Congratulations on a job well done.