Empowering Library Users

There's a theme running through these profiles, and it's echoed in page after page. From LJ's first "Mover," Jennifer Duvernay (p. 7), science reference librarian at Arizona State University (ASU), to the final entry, Brad LaJeunesse (p. 46), technology wonk with the Georgia Public Library Service, each of these 51 individuals is empowered by the profession they have chosen and the public service philosophy that it embodies.

For Duvernay, that translates into providing outstanding public service to the students and faculty at ASU. As she puts it, "I'd like our students to come to us because they have good experiences with us…despite [the availability of] plenty of other places…they can get their information." For LaJeunesse, it's about using open source software to build a system for his 251 Georgia libraries "that can handle the massive load…the libraries [and their users] require."

The 2005 class of "Movers" understands—but is undaunted by—the challenges libraries face from bookstores, the web, and other commercial entities in remaining relevant to their users. Like Jesse Haro (p. 27) at Phoenix PL and Aaron Schmidt (p. 8) at Thomas Ford Memorial Library, IL, they're adapting the features people love best about Amazon, Google, et al., from instant messaging to web sites, that have "a let's go shopping feel."

They're not forgetting, however, some of the basic benefits taxpayers and funding agencies expect from their libraries: a place to grow readers, bring the community together, jump-start economic growth, orient immigrants, reach out to kids, young adults, and seniors, bring service to diverse neighborhoods, and so much more.

This year, as we've done in the past, we will send Movers & Shakers to members of Congress, as well as to governors and mayors nationwide. We hope those included in this compendium will use it to promote their own libraries to their users and to encourage funding for libraries to the powers that be in their communities.

LJ will be celebrating the 200-plus Movers & Shakers at a luncheon at the American Library Association Annual Conference in Chicago in June. We'll be joined there by luncheon cosponsors ABC-CLIO, GIS Information Systems, McGraw-Hill, ProQuest, ReferenceUSA, Scholastic Library Publishing, Thomson Gale, and Too Far Publishing.

Finally, this supplement would not have been possible without the extraordinary writing talents of librarian Marylaine Block, who crafted most of the profiles, and the equally superb organizational and editing skills of LJ technology editor (and librarian) Brian Kenney.

Welcome to the Movers & Shakers Class of 2005.

fialkoff@reedbusiness.com

How do we make sure the public turns to the library when they need information? By thinking like the user and designing services accordingly. These librarians will employ any means necessary—from chat reference to instant messaging—to reach their patrons, whether they’re a college student working in a dorm room late at night or a teen sitting on a crosstown bus.

Jennifer Duvernay; Aaron Schmidt ; Sharon Morris; James R. Jacobs & Shinjoung Yeo ; Micki McIntyre

It takes a special talent to sell a plan, mobilize enthusiasm for a new project, or create the right partnerships to get a new service off the ground. It might mean convincing a community that a vital library can create an economic renaissance. Or letting the world know what a wonderful career librarianship can be. Or persuading a profession that diversity is everyone’s responsibility.

Veronda Pitchford; Karen Bersche; Tom Rink; Sandra Tauler; Cindy Eubank; Wendy Wilcox; Cynthia Fuerst

It’s not just about the classroom anymore. Bibliographic instruction is shifting to the web, allowing students the opportunity to learn research methods anywhere, anytime. By partnering with faculty, librarians are carving out a presence in popular courseware applications. Need to provide statewide staff training, when your state is 82,000 square miles? We’ve got that covered, too—through live video delivered to staff desktops.

Vibiana Bowman; John D. Shank; Michael Stephens; Cindi Hickey; James Walther; Neal Wyatt

Technology is the least of it. These innovators are living old Ranganathan's laws about library service more than anyone. Spare the time of the reader? Create a library web site that is easy to use. For every reader, his or her book? Build a federated search tool that quickly connects patrons to the right resource—whether it’s a book in the stacks downstairs or a document on a server 1000 miles away.

Michelle Jeske; Kat Hagedorn; Valerie Allen; Susan Gibbons; Terry Reese; Jesse Haro; James Mieczkowski

If information wants to be free, then these librarians are making sure it gets up and goes. It might be housed on a souped-up, wired bookmobile. Posted to a web log that defines currency in an industry. Or contained between the pages of a book destined to become a cornerstone for the profession.

Judy Nelson; Laura Gordon-Murnane; Becky Hebert & Siobhan Champ-Blackwell; Kathy McLellan & Tricia Suellentrop; Michael Buschman; Miguel Figueroa

Their actions—large and small—have an impact on people. Open a building at seven a.m. and the library becomes a part of commuters’ lives. Challenge library students to think about race and the next generation of librarians will provide better service. Make a deal with Google and library content is suddenly visible.

Kim Charlson; Clara Chu; Lisa Poignant; Chip Nilges; Lorna Peterson; Kristin Eschenfelder; Tom Peters; Linda Golian-Lui; George Oberle

Yes, they each have a cause. Creating pay equity for support staff. Improving library services for indigenous peoples. Connecting boys with books. Building an integrated library system to handle everything users want. Thanks to their passions, libraries, and those who work in them, will never be the same.

Loriene Roy; Michael Sullivan; Leslie Monsalve-Jones; Darcy Glidden; Miriam Rodriguez; Rick Anderson; Eric Schnell; Brad LaJeunesse