ACRL College & Research Libraries News

Association of College & Research Libraries

Community college librarians speak out

I’m happy to let everyone know what ACRL has meant to me!

Peggy Shoemake

“When sufficient staff was obtained to allow me the flexibility to become actively involved in IACRL and ACRL, I felt that I had finally ‘ar- rived.’ What has asso- ciation with IACRL and ACRL meant to me?

ACRL has given me the courage to keep my goals high and to attain library services for John Wood Com- munity College similar to those at four-year colleges and universities. We offer reference, bibliographic instruc- tion, Internet training and access, online cata- loging and circulation, and orientation for faculty, staff, and students.

ACRL offered the opportunity to learn from and network with other academic librarians. Since we all strive for the same basic goals (ours are just on a smaller scale), the association has kept me from becoming discouraged and on track.

ACRL librarians have served as a source of inspiration to those of us who work toward achieving academic standards for our community college libraries. My hat is off to the fine work being done by the ACRL librarians.”—Peggy Shoemake, director, Learning Resource Center, John Wood Community College, Quincy, Illinois

Debi Warner

Thank you, ACRL!

Why I’m glad I joined ACRL!

“As a fairly new technical college librarian, I have found the CJC listserv to be the most valuable aspect of ACRL membership. I came to this college from a medical library where networking and sharing information are part of daily life. In my posi- tion, I felt isolated from other librarians who do what I do until I joined the CJC listserv. My first day on the listserv, they were discussing staffing weekend hours in a community college; I was thrilled to talk with folks who had the same problems I do.”–Debi Warner, librarian, Cen- tral Maine Technical College, Auburn

“Mary Ellen (Davis), thank you for your help with my ACRL guideline question. You and the others at ACRL have never failed to help me and never failed to make an appropriate referral.”—Barbara Rupp, director of Learning Resources, Trinity Valley Community College, Athens, Texas

How you can benefit

Experience the joy of being part of a professional association: join ACRL. Here’s how: call Cynthia Taylor at the ACRL office at (312) 280- 2521; fax: (312) 280-2520. Participate!