A Word from the Editor

If you would have told me in 2009, when I was reading Theological Librarianship for the first time as a college junior curious about a future in libraries, that I’d be the editor-in-chief in about 15 years’ time, I wonder what I would have said. I doubt my reaction would have been surprise exactly, because the moment I saw the words “theological” and “librarianship” put together, I knew I belonged at their intersection. This journal and the Atla organization more broadly have been integral parts of my career, and it’s a delight and a privilege to be able to serve in this role. I’m thrilled to work with Jesse Mann, Denise Nelson, and Dee Roberts, as well as new editorial board additions Gideon McDaniel and Greg Rosauer. Together, we hope to cultivate a space for vital conversations, current research, and critical offerings that support the work of religion collectors and connectors everywhere.

Two of this issue’s essays come from June’s Annual Conference in Pittsburgh, and I’m excited to share them with a broader audience. Déborah Ortiz discusses pulseando con el difícil, or arm-wrestling with the difficulties of thoughtfully and thoroughly resourcing the growing Hispanic and Latin American programs in theological schools, especially in the Spanish language, while Victoria Jesswein offers case studies of bringing the archives to life in the classroom, even online.

This issue also features the winner of this year’s Student Essay Contest. Each year we receive submissions from undergraduate and graduate students addressing topics within librarianship and religious studies, and select one for publication, a cash prize, and a travel grant for the Atla Annual Conference. This year’s winning essay is entitled “Research as Play: Womanist Theology and the Liberation of Library Research.” Author Niambi McLaurin is a librarian and MDiv candidate, and she paints an inspirational picture of a womanist-influenced librarianship that focuses on “cultivating environments where research invites wonder and play.”

We’re already cooking up ideas for a themed spring issue of TL, but we eagerly accept submissions on any topic at any time. I’d love to hear about what you’re working on, what you’re excited about, and what’s important to you in theological libraries, so please reach out! I look forward to what we can create together in these next three years of my term.

Keegan Osinski
Editor-in-Chief, Theological Librarianship