DUSTIN ON WHY HE STAYS AN AALL MEMBER & THE VALUE HE RECEIVES FROM ATTENDING AALL WEBINARS AND PROGRAMS
Dustin Johnston-Green is the Interim Co-Director and Reference Librarian at Ohio Northern University, Taggart Law Library in Ada, Ohio.
WHY DID YOU JOIN AALL?
I joined AALL as a student to become more familiar with law librarianship in general and begin building my professional network.
WHY DO YOU STAY A MEMBER?
I have stayed a member of AALL because of not only the networking opportunities and connections, but also the professional development programming and resources that have been so helpful throughout my career thus far.
WHAT ONE MEMBER BENEFIT IS MOST VALUABLE TO YOU?
The webinars and programs offered by AALL and various SISs have been incredibly valuable to me. It always seems like whenever I am thinking about a particular topic, there is either an on-point webinar or My Communities discussion that springs up. It’s a relief to not only know that other librarians are working through similar issues, but want to engage and talk about it in a way that benefits the profession as a whole.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MEMORY ASSOCIATED WITH AALL?
Like many, I was so wowed by attending my first AALL Annual Meeting (Philadelphia, 2015), that it will always hold a special place for me. It was such a great experience as a student to be able to attend and meet with current librarians, all of which were so helpful and encouraging throughout the entire event (and beyond).
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY DOING OUTSIDE OF WORK?
Outside of work, I love to camp and backpack, which my spouse and I try to do as often as we can manage. I am an avid music fan and love going to concerts (one thing I’ve sorely missed over the past year). I have also played the upright bass for 20 or so years now. I play mostly classical and bluegrass, but last year I was able to help with a school musical production of “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown,” which was great fun.
WHAT BOOK(S) ARE YOU CURRENTLY READING?
I typically read a fiction book and a nonfiction book at the same time to give myself options for reading. I recently finished Haruki Murakami’s Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World and recently began reading Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s short story collection The Thing Around Your Neck. For nonfiction, I have been reading The Sicilian Judge, a biography of ONU alum Judge Anthony Alaimo, whose portrait mysteriously appeared outside of my office in 2019 and I needed to know more. I am also reading AALL’s own Academic Law Library Director Perspectives: Case Studies and Insights to help myself transition into my new role as co-interim director.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE TRAVEL/VACATION DESTINATION?
As I mentioned before, my spouse and I are fairly regular backpackers, and we have thoroughly enjoyed some of our recent trips to the various state and national forests in Eastern Ohio. It’s been a few years, but I went on a 5-day trek linking together various trails in Michigan’s upper peninsula that I would love to retread!