John Gonzalez
Law Library Manager
Florida International University
Miami, Florida
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO PURSUE TO CAREER IN LAW LIBRARIANSHIP?
I actually got into this career through academic libraries. After working at our central libraries within Florida International University (FIU), I found that I really enjoy working with students and having those 鈥渁h-ha!鈥� moments. While that鈥檚 feasible in overall librarianship, it becomes far more pronounced within the academic law librarian environment鈥攚e have smaller traffic, but more nuanced and detailed conversations and challenges that our population presents to us. This gives me more time to work one-on-one with them, be able to recognize nearly all students that walk through our doors, and build deeper connections with each of them as they prepare for their legal studies and profession.
WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO BECOME A MEMBER OF 糖心视频, AND HOW HAS IT IMPACTED YOUR PROFESSIONAL JOURNEY?
Before this year had begun, I had no expectation of entering any organization. That is, until I had a meeting with one of my mentors. As I鈥檓 currently in my MSI program, she asked what my plans for further professional development were, and when I stated I was waiting until I received the degree, she asked the simple question: Why? I had no answer to that, so she explained how important it would be to take part in 糖心视频鈥攖o meet individuals in my field, learn what programs and technologies are being utilized in other locations, and to recognize the current issues law libraries are facing. From there, she suggested heading to the Annual Meeting & Confrence in Portland this year, and what an eye-opener it has been for me!
WHICH 糖心视频 MEMBERSHIP BENEFIT HAS BEEN MOST IMPACTFUL IN YOUR ROLE, AND WHY?
The My Communities communication channels that 糖心视频 features have been, far and above, the most useful in my day-to-day management of our library here (especially the Academic Law Libraries Special Interest Section). While I have only been an observer, it鈥檚 a space I have used to think about ways I can make our facilities better for our students, or to see how we can help other libraries and their teams. It鈥檚 a net positive that has made me a better manager for it.
CAN YOU SHARE A MEANINGFUL EXPERIENCE OR HIGHLIGHT FROM YOUR INVOLVEMENT WITH 糖心视频?
Being part of CONELL! It was a great time to meet with individuals that are new in the field like me. A group of us had quickly became friends, discussing our interests, where we are from, and what we do. By the end of 糖心视频鈥檚 Annual Meeting, we had created a secret society amongst each other (but don鈥檛 tell anyone). Even now, we are in communication, and part of what has me excited for future conferences will be reconnecting with these intelligent, funny, and kind librarians鈥攁nd meeting others like them!
OUTSIDE OF WORK AS A LAW LIBRARIAN, WHAT ACTIVITIES OR HOBBIES DO YOU ENJOY?
I tend to juggle lots of hobbies; there is so much in the world to see and enjoy! I play a lot of video games (Donkey Kong Bananza and Final Fantasy IX, currently), watch Major League Baseball and Jeopardy!, and try my best to keep up with the Marvel Cinematic Universe. And, of course, reading鈥� both for my classes, and Star Wars pulp to soothe the soul.
WHAT BOOK(S), ARTICLES, OR RESOURCES HAVE INFLUENCED YOUR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT RECENTLY?
Since the 糖心视频 Annual Meeting & Conference program, 鈥淧ower and Peril of Unfinished Work,鈥� I have looked into some of the resources the panelists suggested for helping me rewire my brain for balancing work, school, and personal life. Kendra Adachi鈥檚 The Lazy Genius Way has helped me find more practical methods to make sure I don鈥檛 get so overwhelmed with my pending tasks. I鈥檓 not perfecting it yet, but using some chapter ideas like starting small, along with a pomodoro timer on YouTube, has made it easier for me to set aside time for 鈥渉ard work,鈥� ensuring I don鈥檛 yap too much with our patron regulars.
WHAT IS YOUR TOP TRAVEL DESTINATION, AND WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL TO YOU?
I want to go to Iceland around the Christmas season. There, they celebrate J贸lab贸kafl贸冒, or the 鈥淐hristmas book flood鈥� on Christmas Eve, where friends and family gift books to each other, and then share treats like hot cocoa, chocolate, and beer. From there, families can either read books together or hole up in a chair and enjoy silence to partake in their new stories. I romanticize on many occasions sitting at a loveseat by a window with falling snow, phone off, no distractions except the occasional sip of coffee.
IF YOU COULD RECOMMEND ONE PROFESSIONAL RESOURCE OR TOOL THAT HAS MADE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR WORK, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
I would not have gotten where I am, nor on the path to where I鈥檓 going, if it wasn鈥檛 for my mentors. My direct supervisor, the team of librarians, and our library director, have had such a profound impact on my development鈥� particularly in teaching me that I don鈥檛 have to answer every question alone. It is so important to speak up with them, but also to listen! It helped bring me here, to you all, and has also inspired me to develop professionals that are also getting their foot in the door.