I’m extremely pleased to report that I have been offered, and accepted, the Library Innovation and Technology Manager position at the Boulder Public Library. I’ve been kind of quiet for the last month or two because I’ve been preparing for, presenting/interviewing for, and just generally concentrating on this.

The new director at BPL and I share an ambitious vision of what libraries can and should be and are very excited to begin working together toward those goals. I’ll be working with the local Boulder technology scene to create a learning laboratory supporting the creative expression of the staff and community.

We will also be implementing programs to address the digital divide, which I see as more a compelling problem than ever as our job market is not only tightening, but requiring a greater range of technical skills. There are still so many without easy access to computers or the training needed to use even the most common software packages on the job.

An interesting thing about this opportunity is that it really highlights the leadership-management differences we discussed in the recent CAL Leadership Institute. During the interview I asked for clarification on this point and it was stressed that this was *leadership* position in which they were looking for vision, much more so than a management position in which I was to maintain the status quo. That is the most exciting thing about the job!

Here’s to an exciting new year!  I’ll be writing more about what’s coming later….

I started a blog post earlier and wasn’t very focused on topic. I talked a bit about what I’m learning in my Project Management class (which again, totally rocks)– but I never got to the title.

In my Internet reading, it seems like the average job search is about 8 months– I have a kid to feed and a wife to put through her last year of college, so I can’t afford any real down time. I graduate in May of next year, and my contract at CU ends on June 30. There’s never a guarantee of a contract renewal, and with the economy being what it is, I’d rather not take chances.

So, I will be working on this blog– writing up a bit more instead of keeping my ideas and work to myself (and my classmates) and showing off some of my html and design skills. I’ll also be putting together a resume/portfolio site that this blog will only become one small part of.

While I’m open to working either in Academia or Public (there are things that draw me to each environment)– there are a few things I know I definitely do want:

1. A healthy respect for innovation, creativity, and collaboration in the workplace culture.

2. The opportunity to use and build upon my technical interests. Professional development freedom– if not active support and encouragement would be great.

3. Opportunities to train and/or serve the public. Bonus points for staff training as well.

4. A workplace where people are nice. Where they feel appreciated and empowered.

Some of the job titles that interest me are “Emerging Technologies” librarian, “User Experience Librarian”, “Information/Learning Commons Librarian” or Systems Librarian. But I like to think of myself as “intellectually unfettered” and so I’m open to a lot of different things.

I tend to like to think, create, contribute, and try to put people together to make things happen- so management and/or some level administration doesn’t scare me away either.

So, keep your fingers crossed. Hopefully I’ll have some good news to post in the coming months!