career | aljnewsite2014

From MA to MA

This month’s blog post was originally going to explore the connections between my research on Maria Antonia, Electress of Saxony and my...

I was not the problem, Part 2

Mrs. Levin was taken ill mid-year, and was replaced by a substitute: Ms. Levine. She was the complete opposite of our permanent...

I was not the problem, Part 1

“Hidden Figures” is such an inspiring film. The everyday heroism of these women can no longer be overlooked, even while some of the...

ALA Reflections

So many people—14,000!—gathered in Orlando, Florida for the American Library Association annual conference in June 2016, and I was one of...

My Two Cents

To my incredulous elderly mother (herself a retired teacher), and anyone of whatever generation who asks, “You have a PhD from Harvard....

You Write Well, Part 2

Now, it’s not as if I had no experience writing grant proposals. With my return to college to study music, I wrote winning essays for...

You Write Well, Part 1

“You write well. Why don’t you go into publishing?” These words from a well-meaning professor haunt me still. Back in my early 20’s,...

The Smell of Art

Over 700 people showed up for the opening night of ICA’s fall season. What a great start! While each of the exhibitions had its own...

Watch Your Words

We must watch what we say, for words have power. For instance, a friend recently said of me, “She lost her job.” What a low-energy...

Dr. April Lynn James