They are the people shaping the future of libraries and communities across the United States. They are innovators who take service to the next level and technology leaders who build bridges between libraries and users. They create positive change during these rapidly changing times. They are the 50 outstanding librarians who will be inducted into Library Journal's coveted cadre of Movers & Shakers, a distinguished annual award that, over the course of ten years, has honored 500 individuals. Commenting on all the 2011 award winners, Library Journal Editor-in-Chief Francine Fialkoff, who headed the selection committee, says, "Despite the fact that library budgets are being cut, these librarians continue to deliver amazing services that assist and engage individuals of every age and contribute to their communities' well-being."
Rogan Hamby currently manages all the IT needs for Florence County Library System (FCLS) and also is central administrator for SC LENDs (South Carolina Library Evergreen Network Delivery System), a consortium formed in 2009 that uses Evergreen open source software for a shared Integrated Library System (ILS). It now includes one-third of South Carolina's county public library systems and the State Library as members.
Hamby admits to loving the smell of books, and his love of words is evident on his blog. As one would expect, he uses it to document Evergreen software issues, but he also ponders issues such as the fear older users have of technology.
But he's not just nose to the keyboard; he's a team builder. According to FCLS director and nominator Ray McBride, Hamby "has the ability to work with any group of individuals to draw on their unique abilities to accomplish any task. This skill as an outstanding project manager stands out above his many other outstanding attributes."
He also embraces the fundamental importance of his work. Many consider open source issues as simply infrastructure, or "tangential to our core mission," says Hamby. "In fact, these are things that will help make sure we are still here to perform those core services." The hundreds of thousands of dollars saved by SCLENDs will go toward better user services.
Hamby will begin working at the South Carolina State Library as Director of Information Technology on March 28.
