By A. Faulkner
What is your role in the GLBTRT?
Member
What does the GLBTRT mean to you?
GLBTRT, to me, is a community of professionals with diverse backgrounds and identities that, together, create an important voice that expands beyond the bounds of librarianship.
Are you involved in ALA in other ways?
Just as a student member, graduating Aug 11 with an MLS.
What professional work do you perform?
I’m the SharePoint Business Analyst at KU Libraries working to improve internal communication and collaboration, as well as workflow efficiency and access to information.
What would you like to share about your personal life?
My husband and I recently completed a fantastic year as host-parents to Dani, a Spanish foreign exchange student, and we are currently dads to three cats with distinct personalities. We enjoy traveling, watching Downton Abbey and RuPaul’s Drag Race, collecting Harry Potter and Star Wars things, running, learning and sharing our different, nerdy passions with others.
What are you most proud of?
I’m most proud of my job. I never imagined I would find a job that made me feel challenged and fulfilled each day. I work with amazing and inspiring individuals and for that I am full of gratitude.
Who inspires you?
My husband, William Ottens, who was a Librarian first and creator of librarianproblems.com. It was his courage in public speaking that inspired me to pursue my own adventure in speaking at SharePoint events.
What are your goals? (Professional and/or personal.)
I want to be a lifelong student of all disciplines. I want to learn a lot, share even more and see the world. I don’t envision a day where I’ll say, “I’m done. I did it.” I intend to keep moving.
What do you think (or predict) is the future of libraries?
If libraries are attentive to the world outside library walls, I feel libraries can evolve to fill community and campus needs in the best way possible in the time and space they’re meant to be filled. I envision technology playing a larger role (whether instruction or utilization), and I hope to continue to see community partnerships and events that keep libraries as a center of learning, networking and togetherness.
In what direction would you like the GLBTRT to move in the future?
Perhaps I’ve missed this if it exists, but it might be nice to have regional gatherings or events outside of ALA conferences.
If you could be transported into the fictional world of any book, where would you go?
Hogwarts. I’m ready. Where’s the floo powder?
What would be the title of your autobiography?
You’re an introvert, Harry (and that’s okay)
If you could only choose one song to play every time you entered a room for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Let ‘em Say by Lizzo and Caroline Smith
If you could have a dinner party with 5 culturally or historically significant figures, living or dead, who would you invite?
J.K. Rowling, Harvey Milk, RuPaul, Michelle Obama, Meryl Streep
What is the meaning of life?
One of my very favorite quotes is from Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium. “We must face tomorrow, whatever it may hold, with determination, joy, and bravery.”
I try to remember that when times are tough. Or when they’re good. We get to decide how we experience and react to moments. Life is an occasion. It doesn’t matter if you’re a dancer, wall-flower, dreamer, singer, task-master, entertainer, etc. as long as you find joy and peace in it. What matters is that you rise to whatever occasion it is that resonates with you and gives you energy. And don’t be so hard on yourself. It may not be easy to get to where you want to be in life, and it may take some time and heartache along the way, but you don’t have to do it alone. Find people who inspire you and give you strength. Surround yourself only with love and books and things that help take you to places worth going.
