Joyce Valenza is a perfect example of a progressive librarian who is not only
embracing but also leading (guiding) her students, teachers, and hopefully, her
colleagues (us) into the future of libraries and information literacy. If we
aren't watching and following the examples of outstanding librarians among us, then
we will certainly be sitting alone in quiet rooms filled with books.
In my graduate school we were required to research the "library leaders" from the
past and the present which was a wonderful opportunity for us to examine who was
responsible for what has happened and why we do the things we do now; however, I
think that we often forget to continue tracing the life-paths of those strong
library leaders among us now. Some of the most influential, trend-setting, and
inspirational librarians among us are on this list---Joyce Valenza, Doug Johnson,
Alice Yucht, Carol Simpson, Sara Kelly Johns, Toni Buzzeo, Terri Lesesne,...and the
list continues.
If we aren't watching, listening, and modeling their behaviors and their practices,
we have no one to blame but ourselves when things begin to change for the worse. I
am constantly amazed and in awe of these individuals because they are always on the
cutting edge ---the place I never knew existed. I am also constantly challenged
when I meet them or read their works because I realize that I am, once again,
behind in where I should be or what I should teach.
We are embarking on a new frontier as we watch information change from something
that we once passively absorbed to something that is interactive and constantly
changing or manipulated---by anyone at anytime for any reason. Our contemporary
library leaders are showing us where to go, what to expect, how to proceed, and
what will happen when we become interactive with information and our students. If
we don't move forward, we will be caught in a situation where others might think
that we are no longer necessary....
....or has that already started to happen?
Just some thoughts.
~Shonda
Shonda Brisco, MLIS
US / Technology Librarian
4200 Country Day Lane
Fort Worth Country Day School
Fort Worth, TX
817.732.7718 ext. 339
"We can't wait for somebody outside of ourselves to rescue us, because nobody is
coming to the rescue..."
~ Ross Todd, Professor
School of Communications, Information, and Library Studies, Rutgers University
sbrisco@fwcds.org
http://www.fwcds.org/campus/libraries/default.asp
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