NSU announced earlier today that Dr. Sheila Collins has accepted the position of Executive Director of NSU Libraries, effective September 29, 2008.

It was a pleasure getting to know Sheila (and the other candidates) while serving on the Selection Committee. Up to this point, I’ve been a bit reluctant to discuss many details of my experiences while serving on the committee; but now that it’s concluded, I’d like to share some insight on Sheila’s character (something I learned directly from Sheila herself, as the two of us traveled from the main campus in Tahlequah to the satellite campus in Broken Arrow).

Sheila is originally from New York, but currently lives on the plains of North Dakota. Recently, there has been a drought on these plains. It is due to this drought - and Sheila’s love of animals - that she placed various pots and pans, and other items capable of holding liquid, all around her yard.

Once these pots were in place, it didn’t take long for all variety of animals to enter her yard and partake of the oasis. Sadly, I no longer remember all of the animals Sheila mentioned (you’ll have to ask her yourself when she arrives in Oklahoma in September); however, I do remember her mentioning the arrival of a mother raccoon and her five babies (I believe it was five: ask Sheila).

Sheila said she enjoyed watching the mother and her babies drink from the pots and pans. So much so, in fact, that she decided to give them bits of bread to eat - spread with peanut butter, no less - to inspire more drinking (and to treat them, of course ;-). According to Sheila, the baby raccoons really  liked the peanut butter; and she and her family really enjoyed watching through her kitchen window (I believe it was her kitchen window) - observing the puzzled expressions on the little masked faces as they sat with slices of  bread stuck to their paws. Sheila and her family laughing all the while.

I wonder what she has in store for us . . . .

Welcome to Oklahoma, Sheila!

Several months ago, I was appointed to serve on the Executive Director of NSU Libraries Search Committee. Up to this point, I haven’t written much about it. Not that there’s nothing worthy of sharing, just that I thought it important not to risk being booted off the committed (I mean committee, of course: Freudian slip?) due to lack of professional discretion. 

My opinion hasn’t changed.

Nonetheless, I’d like to share a question asked during one of the thirty-two interviews the committee has conducted or coordinated thus far:

Describe [insert person's name] in three words.

Try it.

Better yet: think about how others would describe you using such a method.

I’ll get you started by describing three of the professors I was lucky enough to learn from while enrolled in OU’s SLIS program: 

• Connie Van Fleet: caring, witty, wise
• Doc Martens: intelligent, energetic, mentor
• Lotsee Patterson: honest, determined, legend

[As an interesting aside - at least to me - I'd like to mention that, though I heard this question asked numerous times in various interviews, the responses rendered revealed only positive characteristics.]

© 2008 Creators Syndicate, Inc.

Blog:

• Been pondering a new title for months. Think I’ve found one worth keeping (the high five from my fourteen-year-old at hearing my choice sealed the deal :-)
• Been updating my About page (fishin’ for a professional position) and composing a Comps page for the future reference of other OU SLIS students who have decided to choose the same path.

Education:

• The final nine days of my last SLIS class at OU is heavily packed with readings and assignments; happily, all will be completed by midnight July 28, 2008.

Work:

• Executive Director of Libraries Search Committee assignments are at their height. Candidates are on campus, touring, interviewing, and making presentations. As taxing as committee duties can be, and as limiting as they are on the time I can devote to other duties, I’m still grateful to have been asked to serve. I’m getting to know some wonderful librarians (and a few deans and administrators, too ;-).

One of my favorite people in all the world, Maggie Ryan

Received at 9:00am this morning from Maggie Ryan, Coordinator of Admissions/Academic and Student Support Services at the University of Oklahoma’s School of Library and Information Studies:

“Congratulations! You have passed your comprehensive examination on the written attempt! You will also receive this information via letter through regular mail.”

[Now to update that resume. . . .]

I’ve been told that students who must defend their exam answers are given a few days notice to prepare. Since there are only two days left until results are due, I’m guessing that one of two situations have occured:

1. I failed to answer any of the questions adequately, and have therefore failed the comprehensive exam.
2. I passed the exam, and can therefore start applying for a professional librarian position.

After several attempts to embed the code of this video, I’m admitting temporary defeat, adding Ms. Kreck’s image, and posting the link for your viewing pleasure:

Librarian Carol Kreck ticketed for trespassing on public property:

*”Trained Democracy Superhero” moniker credited to Rachel Maddow.

The red light of my office phone was beaming brightly in the dark of my unlit office when I came to work this morning. Could this be a message from Maggie?

It’s only Tuesday and results aren’t due until Friday. Does this mean I need to defend?

Pick up handset.
Enter code to access voicemail.
Enter mailbox number.
Enter password.
Enter code to access messages.

Not Maggie.
Still waiting.

No news is good news?

Yes, it’s a Hitchcock Barbie - and the Birds are highly reflective of the dark thoughts that occasionally cross the minds of those of us who wait.