Geoff Johnson
91´«Ã½ Divisions:
Probably overthinking it.
91´«Ã½
Too much news and doom scrolling. The common read on campus is "Sabrina & Corina: Stories" by Kali Fajardo-Anstine. The stories are extremely good and they take place in Denver and other parts of Colorado where I've spent time. I want to get into a bread-baking rhythm for the winter, so I'm working my way through "Tartine Bread" by Chad Robertson. As far as listening, I'm desperately awaiting the fifth installment on the Asia-Pacific War from Dan Carlin's Hardcore History podcast.
Connections, learning, recognition.
91´«Ã½
In my first job as an instruction librarian, I was the only instruction librarian in a really small library at a geographically-isolated school. Through ACRL, I was able to stay connected and communicate with other instruction librarians. It really helped me find my way.
91´«Ã½
I'm an instruction librarian in a relatively large department, and throughout the pandemic, we've all been working from home. It's been interesting to take a long look at what one-shot instruction looks like in a totally different context. I think we do a great job of problematizing or complicating concepts and issues people are often tempted to oversimplify (Show students where to find the "good stuff." How do you avoid this new fake news thing?), while at the same time offering a path forward and individual help if folks want that.
91´«Ã½
Listen to students! Make space for them to tell you what they need. Make space for them to help each other. Be suspicious of anyone who tells you what students or what "the campus" wants but didn't ask. As an instruction librarian, the best sessions I ever lead are the ones when I don't have time to get to any of the things I've planned because we never make it out of Q&A.
Credentials:MSLIS, he/him
Title:Graduate Teaching and Learning Librarian
Workplace:Auraria Library
Location:Denver, CO