Cuesta College ‘Honored Alum’ for 2026

The Cuesta College Foundation recognized me among its “Honored Alumni” during a ceremony on Oct. 5, 2026. Cuesta’s online program in Library and Information Technology is really special to me; it enabled me to embark on a longtime dream of becoming a librarian.
https://youtu.be/Fc3T162QGL8

Be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel if you are enjoying my videos.

Librarians’ ‘risk propensity’ in the face of book bans

The concept of “risk propensity” stood out for me in my studies this week. Wilkins-Jordan and Hussey defined risk propensity as “how much one is willing to risk” (2019, p. 88) and in the current political climate of increased prevalence for book bans, librarians face far greater risk for upholding the values of our profession.

‘Lead from the Outside’ by Stacey Abrams

As part of my studies in library leadership, I’ve been reading Lead from the Outside by Stacey Abrams, a book intended for people from minority backgrounds who may have concluded that “our inherent qualities render us less than others” (p. 108). Published in March 2019 by Picador, this is an updated paperback edition of Abrams’ Minority Leader, which was published in 2018 by Henry Holt and Company.

Library-sponsored programs versus third-party events

My studies this week concerned library meeting-room policies, an important — and particularly timely — aspect of library administrative practices. And when I thought about library meeting-room policies, especially when I contemplated the difference between library-sponsored programing and third-party use of library space, the example that came to my mind was Scarsdale Public Library (SPL) in New York.

My UCM extracurricular experiences

I spent time this weekend applying for scholarships through the University of Central Missouri. Filling out the application offered me a chance to reflect on my experiences as a UCM graduate student.

UCM, LIS 5622 : Introductions

For the nearly 10 years that I’ve worked in SRCSA library, two values that guided me have been creating a welcoming space and promoting a reading culture. I talk about those values as part of a video introducing myself to classmates in LIS 5622, “Library Administration and Leadership” (which I am taking in Fall 2026 via the University of Central Missouri). Watch for a surprise guest appearance by a certain feline!
https://youtu.be/JjVngz0mk9A

Be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel if you are enjoying my videos.

Looking forward to new semester at UCM

Looking forward to a new academic year, University of Central Missouri, as I pursue my Master’s degree in Library and Information Science. Here’s my study-space organized for my upcoming classes. During Fall 2026, I’ll be studying library administration and leadership.

UCM’s SOLIS Book Club: Our pick for Fall 2026

In Fall 2026, SOLIS Book Club will read and discuss Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross. We’re the only VIRTUAL book club at the University of Central Missouri and our discussion is open to students, faculty, alumni, and staff.
https://youtu.be/Tfh4lj4lhxA

Be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel if you are enjoying my videos.

UCM’s Graduate Student Achievement Award

I am the appreciative recipient of a Graduate Student Achievement Award, as selected for 2025-2026 at the University of Central Missouri. With this video, I want to express my gratitude.
https://youtu.be/X_OvPf08_98

Be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel if you are enjoying my videos.

Library services: Adding collaboration to ‘passive’ reader’s advisory

Through my studies in librarianship this week, I’ve been exploring ways to make a type of library service more collaborative: in this case a “passive” reader’s advisory display on a public library’s website that links to horror-themed results in the library’s online catalog. I thought I’d put together and narrate a slide presentation to add a visual element to my reasoning.
https://youtu.be/F0m2bQP_wkg

Be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel if you are enjoying my videos.

Answering reference questions about geography, countries, and travel

This is a brief video overview of Chapter 11 in Reference and Information Services, fifth edition, by Cassell and Hiremath, “Answering Questions about Geography, Countries and Travel.” The slideshow was created in Fall 2025 for LIS 5322 at the University of Central Missouri. The background image on each slide is a map of Warrensburg, Missouri from the Missouri Department of Transportation.
https://youtu.be/NVjfGLM87lQ

Be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel if you are enjoying my videos.

Chat in library reference services

Cassell and Hiremath, in Reference and Information Services, have identified several virtual platforms where Reference transactions take place. These can include “e-mail, chat reference, IM, social media, or videoconferencing” (2023, p. 5). Among articles that Cassell and Hiremath recommend for further reading, an article by Dempsey, et al. (2022) piqued my interest because of my preference for text-based communication and my dislike for using the telephone. I am autistic and “existing evidence suggests that autistic people may prefer written modes of contact” (Howard & Sedgewick, 2021, p. 2266).

UCM, LIS 5322 : Introducing myself

For Fall 2025, I am enrolled in LIS 5322, Information Sources and Services, through the University of Central Missouri’s online graduate program in Library and Information Science. Here is a video introducing myself to classmates.
https://youtu.be/9zMwTV0Pi-Y

Be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel if you are enjoying my videos.

SOLIS Book Club : What shall we read in Fall 2025?

During Spring 2025, University of Central Missouri: we had another enjoyable meeting of the SOLIS Book Club (that’s an online book club among students of LIS). Looking ahead, what book do we want to read for Fall 2025? Here’s a brief overview of three potential candidates.
https://youtu.be/sz_Wak6dSu8

UCM, LIS 5900 : Introductions

For spring 2025, I am enrolled in LIS 5900, Action Research in Libraries, as part of my studies in librarianship, University of Central Missouri.
https://youtu.be/Hh-gPbPEF-Q

UCM’s SOLIS Book Club : Our pick for Spring ’25

In the Student Organization of Library and Information Services, University of Central Missouri: Our next book-club discussion will be I Must Betray You, a work of historical fiction by Ruta Sepetys.
https://youtu.be/oQpaztvJ338

LRS8 : Presentor’s recap

One of my professors, Dr. Amanda Harrison, and I gave a co-presentation at Library Research Seminar 8, which took place in mid-September at the University of Kentucky. Our presentation focused on portrayals of autistic people in “readers’ choice” state book award nominees from 2014 to 2024. Here is a brief recap of my experience.
https://youtu.be/5Xlm5xlmEF4

Constructing a ‘maker’ identity

Hand-made masks, constructed during the pandemic

In Making as Self Reflection, Perdue alumni Dr. Avneet Hira talks about how, when she was attending classes in engineering at Kalpana Chawla (her undergraduate college), everything was “just so theoretical” and “not what [she] thought engineering was going to be like” (Sari & Huber, 2020, pg. 2 of transcript).

UCM, LIS 5350 : Introductions

In Fall 2024, I am taking a course in “Culturally Competent Librarianship” through the graduate program in Library and Information Science, University of Central Missouri. Among things I’m looking forward to this year is a department book-club reading of Verified by Mike Caulfield and Samuel S. Wineburg. And check out a couple of fun pictures of myself: a “Wanted” poster for my cosplay of Monkey D. Luffy from the One Piece franchise, and a photo from my junior college days, where I look like a young Justin Bieber.
https://youtu.be/ne6-6HF8qnk

Be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel if you are enjoying my videos.

“How are you feeling about this upcoming school year?”

I’m looking forward to a new semester in my graduate program. This semester, I am taking a course in “Culturally Competent Librarianship.” This is a subject that is near and dear to my heart, due to my intersectional identities as someone who is both autistic and nonbinary.