Give the man his thinking space. Late August, and people must be talking about the President’s vacation. I was lucky enough to have a vacation this summer – first one in two years – and I feel better. Rested and refreshed in body and, more importantly, in mind. So, give the President a break and get off the he-shouldn’t-be-going-on-vacation bandwagon. Let him rest and read [President Obama's reading list] and come back ready to lead.

I had a lot of thinking time this summer. Between vacation, a few 10+ hour road trips and hospital waiting room time [Mom's good - walking better than ever and standing & singing on risers again] …I did think. One of the topics on my mind all summer long was library space. I had the privilege of helping transform some library spaces in my jobs. It has been as much about furniture, as it is about hours, as it is about services like book clubs and Quidditch Matches and IM Reference. There were many articles about this, including the very thoughtful: Libraries As the Spaces Between Us: Recognizing and Valuing the Third Space Jun 20th, 2011 by RUSQ.

As we begin the Fall 2011 semester, I wish my students and faculty and staff the time and space and access to think about information. I want them to see their Librarians a partners in this adventure.