Education Libraries, Volume 36, Number 1, Summer 2013 
3 

 

E d i t o r i a l 
 
 
 
 

 
Invisible Sphere of Influence 
Among the many fine articles in this issue, the 
topic of mentorship strikes a chord. Jeremy Denk 
in a recent New Yorker recalls several of his 
piano teachers. During one of his recitals, he 
played some unintended notes. He heard his 
former teacher’s voice in his head, telling him not 
to be a perfectionist. How many of us conjure up 
the ghosts of former mentors or teachers while 
we are struggling, trying to make sense? 

 
At an advisory meeting of our local library school, 
a faculty member asked about the importance of 
offering a cataloging course, and the impact it 
would have on graduates finding jobs. I couldn’t 
help but hear C. Donald Cook, my cataloging 
professor at the University of Toronto, weighing in 
on the debate. He would emphasize the core of 
cataloging saying that organizing information no 
matter what it is called is essential to what we do; 
who we are. Professor Cook knew that cataloging 
is the road map, guide, infrastructure, and 
cornerstone to accessing information.  
 
At this time of my career, I think of those who had 
a profound influence upon me from Professors 
Cook, Fasick, England, and Neale from the U of T 
to the librarians with whom I worked at the 

Chicago Municipal Reference Library in the 
1980s. Their voices ring through my head. No, I do 
not have multiple personalities. To all of you 
mentors out there, realize that your generosity is 
appreciated, and enduring. 

 
On another note, I came across a lovely, little 
book, Glaciers by Alexis Smith. The main 
character works in preservation in a library. This 
smart young and thoughtful woman loves books, 
their feel, smell, and mystery. This is definitely a 
title you need to add to your list of novels in 
which libraries figures prominently.  
 
If you haven’t seen it already, Pew just issued a 
new report, Parents, Children, Libraries, and 
Reading. The consensus is that reading, libraries, 
and children are intertwined. We know that!  
 
I would like to welcome Kim Bloedel as book 
review editor. Please contact Kim (kimberly-
bloedel@uiowa.edu) directly to request books. 
 
Enjoy this issue of Education Libraries. And do 
send education.libraries@gmail.com comments, 
questions, submissions and the like.

 
 
From the Chair of the SLA Education Division 
 
Here’s the schedule of DEDU events at the SLA 2013 conference in San Diego! 
 

Saturday, June 8: Board meeting 3-5pm 
Sunday,  June 9: Serving international populations (with MaH div.) 3:30-5pm (Sponsored by SAGE) 
Monday, June 10: DEDU Breakfast AND Business/Membership meeting 8-9:30am (Sponsored by SAGE) 
Monday, June 10: Research Poster session (with 3 other div.) 4-5:30pm 
Tuesday, June 11: Collaboration (Academic is lead, but DEDU is cosponsor) 10-11:30am 
Tuesday, June 11: Building community through DBs (with MaH div.) 2-3:30pm (sponsored by ERIC) 
Tuesday, June 11: THE LAST WAVE no-host dinner for DEDU and friends 

http://libraries.pewinternet.org/2013/05/01/parents-children-libraries-and-reading/
http://libraries.pewinternet.org/2013/05/01/parents-children-libraries-and-reading/
mailto:kimberly-bloedel@uiowa.edu
mailto:kimberly-bloedel@uiowa.edu
mailto:education.libraries@gmail.com