I've been thinking about library directions and histories, particularly as they pertain to me and my career. Seems selfish, I'm sure, and yet I want to measure and pinpoint areas of concern for me as the profession and I move forward. Easter is a time of resurrection, renewal, and it's a good time to take stock in what's happening now and what's on the horizon for tomorrow.

I'm taking graduate classes (okay, a class) again. It feels great to have focus on something outside of my self and my work. I've recalled the last time I was in graduate school with much fondness. One of my favorite faculty members has announced her retirement. She taught my first class in collection development and management, and my next to last class in philanthropy and fundraising. I was so engaged in that P&F class, short though it was. The curriculum was compressed into six summer weeks, but the impact has remained.

I currently report to the head of our library advancement office. She also is planning to retire from her position. Our institution has embarked on a serious redesign, and I suspect that, have been all but told that, her position will not be immediately refilled. A new or refreshed connection with University Development is desired. I've been working on defining the role of library collections for a 'field guide for development officers in the field.' It's been fun, and unfortunately slow-going. The information depends heavily on what we want and what we need for the benefit of our Libraries' collections. It seems our collection development policies are way out of date--and somewhat out of sync with programs and formats.

I'll meet this week with our head of collection development to put something together for the manual. General, open, yet targeted, is what I aim to provide. The perception of the link between materials gifts and cash donations is there and highly prized. I need to do some more review, but at the same time, many academic libraries are rolling down their gifts-in-kind programs due to the impact on resources and measurable, strategic outcomes.

I would like to explore a shift in my focus in libraries. I saw in today's Chronicle of Philanthropy news feed today, this article, intended to guide hard conversations with donors. I saw a related post on a development list to which I subscribe. I see continuing interest in the academic library environment for development personnel, and I wonder if there has been a resurrection for the role of the position. Time will tell.