As we enter the official last week of the New Librarianship Master Class/MOOC I wanted to extend a personal thank you to the library community. Some may know this has been a very difficult year for me in terms of my health. A set of unexplained seizures in the Fall of 2012, followed by a lymphoma diagnosis in February of this year have been major challenges. Travel has become nearly non-existent, and my speaking engagements have been limited to Skype.
While my wife and family have been the force that have kept me going you, librarians, have been the force that have kept my mind engaged, and a part of the dialog on the future of our profession. The discourse in the MOOC, email, Twitter, and the blogosphere have been invaluable during my treatments.
I cannot tell you how much I have enjoyed the MOOC conversations and how much I have learned. I have a lot to think about including: the political dimensions of new librarianship, the importance of multiple narratives, and the role of fiction. Like you, I too was overwhelmed with the sheer volume of comments in the first week, but digging through it I have been heartened by the healthy and deep conversation about libraries and librarians.
I have been thrilled to see the course has inspired blog posts, Twitter debates, and Facebook groups. I know a lot of you weren’t prepared for the theoretical and philosophical dimensions of the discussion, but I admire that we all dove in with respect and civility, if not agreement. We are indeed a noble profession, and one well equipped to forge a bright future.
I would also like to extend my thanks to my fellow instructors Jian Qin, Megan Oakleaf and Jill Hurst-Wahl. I would also like to thank Dean Liz Liddy and Associate Dean Jeff Stanton whose support made this course possible. Peggy Brown and Sarah Helson are the amazing instructional design team that not only provided tech support to the course, but were instrumental in bringing some pedagogical coherence to the MOOC.
The course would also not be possible without the administrative support of Blythe Bennett and Sarah Hagelin of the iSchool and Karen De Jarnette of University College’s TED Center. Thanks to MIT Press for supporting the course with the Atlas discount.
Lastly, a special thanks to IMLS and ILEAD USA. Both supported the development of the Atlas and New Librarianship in general. The ILEAD USA librarians not only provided exemplars for the course, but inspiration for me in their passion and dedication to service.
I don’t know yet the end of my personal health journey, but no matter the outcome, I do know you have made the journey not only more bearable, but inspirational.
Thank you.
Dave, I was not a member of this first MOOC offering, but would love to be a part of the next one. Thank you for being an inspiration to all of us. Warmly, Sarah
Thanks for doing this. I’m a little behind in the MOOC but learning a lot. And take care of yourself.
Thank you so much for all the work and thought and energy and positivity with which you present our field and it’s potentials. I always learn so much from you and beyond that am always encouraged to press on, make changes, develop, matter…
Thank you. I think I first heard you speak as part of a virtual conference a few years ago. Talk about inspirational – I wish you could have seen the reaction of the librarians listening with me! Since then, we have delved into The Atlas, followed the blog and often referred to your work. It has been a privilege to be a part of this MOOC. Looking forward to the next one.
Dave…I am completely behind on the MOOC but looking forward to diving into it and best of luck to you!!
Beautifully expressed (as always), Dave. You make us proud of our profession, including former librarians like myself.
Dave,
Thanks again for the energy, wisdom and excitement you poured into IST511 this summer. Your enthusiasm was a wonderful motivator to reflect on what I’ve been doing in the past and how I want to change things up for my school library! Congrats on the great PET scan.
Hi Dave,
Cancer was the final straw that winkled me out of the classroom and into Librarianship. (The treatment nearly killed me but the cancer saved my life). Lots to agree, disagree, mull over about the course so far (I’ve only just been able to join it). However, my main greeting is for your wife. The main sufferers seem always to be spouses, partners, family, friends. Gallows humour (yes – I’m a Brit) gets us by, but they need our support and high regards for seeing us through. Take good care of her as well as yourself.
Barry Chaplin