Between the Lines: November Member Spotlight

Michael Hardrick

Director

Forest Hill Public Library District

What inspired you to become a librarian?
I was tossed into the position by the universe LOL…. I became a page in 2003 and it was only supposed to be temporary since I had signed up for the Navy, but destiny had different plans, and I started my way up the library ladder of success. (Michael previously worked at the University of North Texas Health Science Center and for the Fort Worth Library. He has a master’s degree from the University of North Texas in Learning Technologies.) I received my degree in Learning Technologies with the hopes of becoming an Instructional Designer. I love people and I love the training and development process, but it was not meant to be. What I enjoy about the library field is the connections I have made with people.

If you could have dinner with three authors (living or dead), who would they be and why?
Maya Angelou, Langston Hughes, and Walter Dean Myers. In high school my English teacher Ms. Jones made us read and do research on these authors and more, but if given the opportunity to meet them in person and get first-hand accounts about their lives – that would be exciting.

What are you reading right now?
I have two boys, ages three and six and their favorite book is Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin.

What is your most memorable Texas Library Association Experience?
I have been a member of TLA for three years now. I joined in 2019, and then the pandemic hit last year. I enjoyed the online conference this year but am extremely excited about TLA 2022 (in Fort Worth in April) and hopefully getting to experience the full in-person conference and creating new memories with TLA.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, how have you had to adjust the way you provide library services? How is your library operating now?
Thankfully, we are back open at regular hours. We are somewhat limited to what we can do and say, and so our process of handling COVID-19 has to remain adaptable. We take things one day at a time trying to make the best choices for our staff and the community.

“I am a TLA member because…”
I am a TLA member because it allows me a space to ask questions of my fellow peers, network, and be active within the library world.