2015 James Partridge Award Acceptance Speech

This chapter presents the acceptance speech for the 2015 James Partridge Award, which inspired the creation of this volume devoted to the Partridge Award and issues of diversity and inclusion in library and information science.

Tracing his career as librarian and library director, the author explores his path to becoming a library director in his hometown and finding ways to work with the community and local government to build a new facility for the city library.

Community engagement, advocacy, partnerships, and fundraising plan intertwined roles in sustaining libraries and meeting the needs of the communities that they serve.