Ron Joslin LibTech Acknowledgement Remarks

Hi, my name is Angi Faiks and I would like to take a moment to celebrate the life of our LibTech Conference founder, Ron Joslin. Ron passed away this past February. Thank you for the opportunity to share some remarks on behalf of Macalester’s DeWitt Wallace library staff and our library community.

Generosity, Kindness, Care, Creativity, Conviction

These are words that come easily to mind when thinking of Ron.

And these are words that describe Ron’s approach to his work, his colleagues, and our community during his remarkable 34 years at Macalester.

It was through Ron’s creativity and inspiration that Macalester’s Library Technology Conference came to be in 2008. Ron had the idea to create a professional development opportunity that would provide an affordable, accessible venue to discuss technologies impacting library services and to provide practical learning experiences to participants. Ron’s dream of creating this “LibTech Conference” sparked an outcome that none of us could have predicted. Over the years the continually sold-out conference (usually within a few days) has welcomed over 5000 participants, hosted 24 compelling keynote speakers, spurred countless innovative ideas and projects, and developed a growing body of inspired colleagues from across the US as well as from from Canada and Africa.

And there are many, many more examples where Ron made a difference in libraries and in the lives of others through his work. Ron was motivated by a deep commitment to service. And his service ethic showed up in numerous ways, including this conference. It was his goal to remove any unnecessary barriers to ensure that everyone who wished to attend could. It is this desire that makes it especially fitting that we announce our LibTech scholarships will be named in his his honor. Would this year’s recipients of the Ron Joslin LibTech Scholarships are please stand up?…..clap….thank you.

We will miss Ron’s  insights, his creative spark, leadership, laughter, friendship, and care for others. It will simply not be the same without him here with us.

We thank you, Ron, for all you did to make us and everything you touched shine brighter.

And we wish you all a fun and fruitful conference. Nothing would make Ron happier to know you enjoyed your time with us and together.

Thank you.

Angi Faiks 2019