July 20 , 2017 The SEGway News Page 3
July 20 , 2017 The SEGway News Page 3
by Mikayla Marazzi
Linda Lambert is always reading at least five books at once . Though she believes that there are many ways that people can get information , she thinks that people are missing out if they aren ’ t reading . “ Reading makes your life richer ,” Linda explains .
When I ask her whom her favorite authors are , Linda laughs , sighs , and explains that it is impossible for her to answer such a question . Linda ’ s reading of literature is constantly expanding and multiplying exponentially . “ I love learning about new authors and connecting with new titles ,” she explains . Linda loves to connect with people over what they like to read and give recommendations about new books to explore ; she calls this “ readers advisory .”
Linda is a librarian at Taylor University ’ s library , where she has worked for the past 16 years . When she graduated from De Paul University , with a B . A . in English , she wondered , as most graduates do : What do I want to do with my life ? Linda approached her future by process of elimination . Originally , she imagined that she would become a journalist ; however , when she began shadowing a librarian , she immediately found that she really enjoyed it — and she has been a librarian ever since . “ There ’ s really nothing I don ’ t like about my job ,” Linda exclaims .
While most of us would like to discover our vocation with Linda ’ s immediacy , she recognizes that others have a more lengthy and murky vocational journey . Linda ’ s advice is this : experience . One must explore what the world offers and “ learn to apprehend it to oneself ,” she explains . Additionally , Linda believes that people have immense freedom to try new things . “ I think freedom is a very good thing ,” she remarks with bright eyes .
Before working for Taylor University , Linda was a librarian at George Fox University , in Oregon , and Seattle Pacific University , in Washington . Her job gives her the opportunity to connect closely with students and faculty alike . When students approach Linda , wanting to connect over shared international traveling experiences — which happens frequently — she will warmly suggest chatting over coffee . And many of her connections with have extended past student ’ s graduations — which , to her , illustrates that these relationships have become friendships . Linda believes that friendship can and ought to cross generational boundaries .
Linda speaks of her job as a connection point , as it allows her to connect with not only with new people but new knowledge , concepts , and ideas as well . The library world tends to move fast ; there is always new technology and trends to keep pace with . Linda explains her love for gaining knowledge and adapting constantly to the world around her . “ I like being on the cutting edge ,” she says . Linda attends closely to all that is new and available in the literary world , as well as what students are thinking and writing about , so that she can ensure that Taylor University ’ s library provides a wide and relevant book selection .
Linda has seen generations of new innovations come and go in the library world . Laughing , she recalls a time in which her library used a card catalogue . When Linda was in school , libraries were merging into a computer catalogue system — and over her years as a librarian , she has only seen catalogues become increasingly more sophisticated and user friendly . She is most excited about a new program called LibGuides , which allows the library to create specific webpages for each course . On this webpage they present a collection of resources pertaining to the course ’ s subject matter , including links to You- Tube videos , infographics , research instructions , or lists of helpful books .
Linda ’ s job has taken her all over the world . She has traveled to Indonesia , Israel , and Kenya to assist other librarians with their techniques and skills . American libraries and international libraries are quite similar , Linda describes ; any differences seem to be rooted in cultural distinctions and logistical factors . In Kenya , for example , due to their homes having poor lightening , students rarely check books out , as they typically spend their evenings reading books at the library desks instead . At
Personality Linda Lambert : Reading makes your life richer
Linda has seen generations of new innovations come and go in the library world . Laughing , she recalls a time in which her library used a card catalogue . When Linda was in school , libraries were merging into a computer catalogue system — and over her years as a librarian , she has only seen catalogues become increasingly more sophisticated and user friendly
one library she visited in Kenya , the library staff gathers each morning to re-shelve all the books , letting all the scattered , used book pile up throughout the day .
Linda is decorated with a B . A in English from De- Pauw University , an M . A . in Library Science from IU Bloomington , and another M . A . in Intercultural Studies from Wheaton College . Linda ’ s educational choices attest to her interests — the fusion of literature and culture .
Only recently did Linda begin drinking coffee . Last year , while traveling around Italy with friends , she grew to love cappuccinos . With cafés found on every street corner , all offering wellcrafted and cheap espresso , it was all but inevitable that Italy would teach her to love coffee . When Linda returned from her trip , back to Upland , IN , she began frequenting The Bridge Café , where her coffee habits acclimatized to drinking lattes .
Linda can often be found sitting on a corner couch , with a book in hand , and a paper cup filled with a warm latte on the wooden table in front of her .