Between the Lines: November Member Spotlight

Kelli M. Wilder
Professor, Library and Humanities
St. Phillip’s College

1. What inspired you to become a librarian?

I was in my late 20s, a new mom, miserable in a job that neither required nor utilized my education, talents, or interests. Unwilling to stay stuck, I took a day off, determined to figure out what I would do. I scoured through countless files full of career personality, passion, and aptitude tests that I had taken over the years. It was surprising to learn that almost every test recommended librarianship as a strong fit. I began searching for more information about what librarians do. When I stumbled upon academic librarianship and information literacy instruction, I knew I had found a real possibility. For the first time in a long time, I was excited about my future. By the end of the day, I had ordered my GRE study guides, scheduled a test, begun my application to the University of North Texas, and even planned out which classes I would take. I called a friend to find a part-time job that would pay the bills while I studied, and I found a library that would let me volunteer two mornings a week. The next day, I submitted my two weeks’ notice and never looked back.

2. What is an innovative practice at your library/organization (current or former) that you would like to share with others?

Recently, one of our Library Assistants partnered with our Work Studies to produce Instagram Reels called “We Do It Wednesdays,” where they create and explain science experiments, showcase things folks can do in our maker space, and share library resources. They have proven popular with our students and faculty and are a fun way to market our resources.

3. If you could have dinner with three authors (living or dead), who would they be and why?

Roxane Gay, Tom Robbins, and Oscar Wilde. I love these three authors for their unabashed truth-telling and their fearless, witty critiques of society. Their observations of the human condition are poignant and astute, but not cruel, demonstrating a genuine affection for people. More to the point of dinner, these authors all write about food and eating in a way that makes me want to share a meal with them.

4. What are you reading right now?

The Water Bearers: A Memoir of Mothers and Daughters by Sasha Bonét and Isabella Nagg and the Pot of Basil by Oliver Darkshire.

5. What is your most memorable Texas Library Association Experience?

I had been a librarian for all of one year when I agreed to serve as Chair-Elect of LIRT because, “How hard can it be?” I was in the position for about fifteen minutes when the chair, the brilliant Michelle Millet, told me about her idea for an annual LIRT Summit. I was completely out of my depth, but under Michelle’s mentorship, we pulled off a great first summit at St. Edward’s University. The following year, I spearheaded the second annual summit at Texas A&M Corpus Christi. These events convinced me that I could dive in with TLA and try new and sometimes scary things. That experience formed much of my philosophy of librarianship.

6. Advice to new librarians?

Purposefully kindle a sense of awe for the profession by approaching new opportunities and challenges with curiosity and fearlessness. This practice will keep you nimble in the profession and open to innovative possibilities. This sense of wonder is where the joy lives.

7. Share your hobbies, hidden talents, or anything people might not know about you.

I love travel, art, theatre, cooking, and of course, eating. One hobby most people probably don’t know and wouldn’t expect is that I am an avid Major League Baseball fan-Go Padres! I even write little songs that I sing for my favorite players when they come up to bat.

8. Please finish this sentence. “I am a TLA member because…”

TLA provides community to people in the profession, supports growth through stellar professional development, and advocates for libraries and library workers at the local, state, and national level. My career has been more meaningful due to my time with TLA.