Jack B. King University Librarian

I loved visiting the public library as a kid but it was my undergrad experience as a student library employee that truly opened the possibility of librarianship as a profession for me. As a student, I learned how faculty and students from different disciplines used and relied on the library, I experienced first-hand the adoption of early pre-Internet technologies, and I had opportunity to be mentored by remarkable librarians. I wanted to become a part of the passionate and supportive professional culture I observed. Today I believe libraries are more important than ever - not just because of the collections we steward but because of our people. Our people ensure that libraries are a reliable and trusted source of information. Librarians build and care for our collections but also teach information and data literacy and are valued members of research teams. Our campus and community libraries should not just celebrate knowledge but also serve as a forum where we can engage in sometimes difficult conversations about topics and issues that will make our world a better place for all.