By now it is somewhat old news that the Library Journal "Movers & Shakers 2009" have been announced. Congratulations to them all, of course, but I can’t help but be especially happy for the people I know. But I’m not simply reporting about the event, I was inspired by it. Seeing that list of young people (or at least mostly, and probably at least younger than me) reminded me of all the wonderful young librarians I know.
As someone who has achieved some bit of notoriety in the profession, and is now likely working for the outfit from which I will eventually retire (don’t celebrate too soon!), I don’t see these young over-achievers as competition. I see them as colleagues, collaborators, and the future of the profession. And I very much like what I see.
Many of them are forging new paths that are helping their institutions or our professional associations do things more effectively. Many of them write a blog, and some write articles and books. Many of them speak at conferences. Some of them (hey Dorothea!) speak out against what has been taken for granted as true. A number of them are involved in creating new kinds of systems using the latest tools and techniques (Karen Coombs and Dave Pattern, I’m looking at you). A select few attempt the impossible — to make our large, bureaucratic professional associations more tech-savvy and agile (Griffey, you, of course, are an exemplar). Then there is the incredible creativity exhibited by others (Hi-five, Libraryman).
I’m tellin’ you, from where I sit the future for libraries looks bright. Rock on, movers and shakers, rock on.
About Roy Tennant
A few of them are not American, and that’s the first time : librarianship, LJ, and the Movers&Shakers, are going global
Thanks, Roy. Much appreciated.
It looks as though this year I’ll have the opportunity to speak FOR things, instead of just against them. I look forward to that.
nicomo’s point is well taken, as well; I am honored and humbled to stand beside an international cohort of excellent librarians.
Thanks, Roy. I am honored to be featured amidst so many other librarians that I look up to and consider mentors (from afar). I can’t wait to meet these fellow Movers and Shakers in person!
What, no hotlink love for me, Roy? :-P Thanks for the mention…I just keep tilting at those windmills.
There have been non-Americans on the M&S list before – 17 Canadians!
But YEEHAW for Dave Pattern & The Shanachies for taking the honour outside of North America. About time.