Change is the Only Constant: Let the Good Times Roll! Volume 67 of Virginia Libraries

Change is the Only Constant: Let the Good Times Roll!

The sign across from the timeclock at Virginia Beach Central Library reads: “Life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it.” As we experience this post-pandemic life, we are continually called to exercise our adaptability and flexibility with positive attitudes, receptive to anything thrown our way. It is good to be experiencing programs, conferences, and meetings in person that are energized by the gift of presence.

Virginia Libraries started the year with an upgrade to its publishing platform, Ubiquity, which came with challenges and a learning curve. We appreciate our authors’ patience as our editorial team became comfortable with the new format. We also stretched our voices with the promotion of our journal in a webinar and YouTube recording featuring tips and information on how to publish with Virginia Libraries: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFZWAyMUTiQ. Special thanks to VLA for their support and promotion of our journal over the year, encouraging library staff throughout the state to share their experiences, thoughts, best practices, and research in the field. Here are some highlights from this year’s articles:

• Clenise Platt shares a best practice on how two Virginia libraries are welcoming new employees with a redesigned orientation process in “Orientation: Laying Out the Welcome Mat (or Not) for New Employees.”

• Megan Zimmerman presents a case study “Upgraded and Grounded: Alexandria Library’s Experience in the ALA Pilot Program, Resilient Communities.”

• Keith Weimer surveys the history of book censorship in Virginia from 1960-present in “From Berkeley to Beloved: Race and Sexuality in the History of Book Censorship in Virginia.”

• Christine E. Woods provides insight into “The State of Online and Remote Work of Academic Librarians in Virginia,” including time spent and the perceived advantages and disadvantages of this type of work.

• Elizabeth Price offers nine tips for writing successful cover letters in “The Science of the Cover Letter: How to Apply for an Academic Librarian Job.”

Having established a table at the 2023 VLA conference, we continued to grow our presence and share our voice so that you can share yours. With a robust editorial team and secure handle on the publishing process, we look forward to new submissions in the coming year.

As the Cars have encouraged us in their song lyrics, “Let the good times roll!” May we continue to adapt to the inevitable changes in our libraries with a smile and a heart for service, knowing there is always a format for expressing your ideas at Virginia Libraries.

Editor Information

The 2023 Virginia Libraries Editorial Board:

• Tracey Berning, Editor in Chief

• Stephen Leist, Managing Editor

• Bettina Peacemaker, Assistant Editor

• David Michael Black

• Andrea Castillo

• Emily Correa

• Amy Poe

• Kristen Shulyer

• Elizabeth Weir