Honours Convocation - Library Award

Dear friends,
On May 30, the library at Carleton College was one of three (1 university, 1 college & 1 community college) awarded as an outstanding college library of the year! This prize, sponsored by Blackwell's Books and awarded by ACRL (the Association of College and Research Libraries) is one very prestigious award. The Carleton College library was honored for intellectual curiosity and collaboration. This means that the library brings the community together across departmental boundaries. It has a true service ethos. Not just in regard to policies or best practices but as each student and faculty member as an individual connects to provide excellent service. The library is successful in assessing both academic needs and academic aspirations; it teams with departments and disciplines to provide the set of service resources to meet those needs and aspirations.
Intellectual curiosity comes from the deep desire to know and understand. Sometimes it is of a new discipline; sometimes it is of a deeper level of a known. But it is a gift given to all people everywhere if they but open their eyes to see it. Collaboration is working together for the benefit of all -- truly another gift for humanity. As each one helps the other, all receive the help they need.
It is that kind of service to which all libraries aspire. That is how the customer or patron will be helped to the best of one's ability. The one with a true heart can do more than just follow the rules or meet expectations. It really goes beyond mere performance of job duties; it is an inner working which is more important, at the end of the day, than the mere job performance. One would be wise to remember the words of the librarian head who said, "True service comes from the heart."

Closing in on the end??

Dear friends -- the school year is almost over and thus final words begin to be spoken. I understand that MILI as we know it today will not be around next year. I'm certain that it will emerge in a different form, for the work is too important to end. We all must continue to embrace the challenge! Now, having said that, I also want to say that the Athenaeum Bard will continue to post -- albeit around a larger range of topics. So, keep reading and commenting if you'd like; the Association of College and Research Libraries gave its 2008 award to the Library at Carleton College and both my son and daughter were honored at the Spring Honors Convocation last week. Transitions can be hard on students and teachers; mixed feelings abound. My son's Carleton orchestra performed last week as well; Central High School's spring orchestra/band concerts used the same format -- soloists performing concertos as well as whole-ensemble pieces.

"Watch for more blogs, my online friends,
the time for weeping is o'er;
for we won't gently turn the page
but admire this one more."

Until later then...