Curiosity is one of the greatest and most influential parts of the human experience. Curiosity has shaped my life, driving my education, career, and personal growth. It has guided me through challenges, opened new doors, and deepened my understanding of the world. As a librarian, I believe that curiosity is not just a personal value but an essential foundation for learning, discovery, and forward progress.

From a young age, I found myself constantly asking my family and my teachers about different topics and subjects. If I realized I did not know something, I always wanted to find answers to my questions as soon as possible. I have loved books for as long as I can remember, and to this day I still find myself getting engrossed in various seemingly random topics and reading as much as I can about them. This passion for knowledge led me to pursue a career in librarianship, where I could support others with their own intellectual journeys. Whether helping a student find research materials, assisting a patron in discovering a new score, or learning about how digital resources are used to preserve historical collections, my work and my aspirations are a testament to the power of curiosity. Every question asked is an opportunity for growth, and every answer found starts a new journey of exploration.

Libraries are built upon the idea that knowledge should be freely available to all, and my belief in the power of curiosity aligns with this foundational principle. The American Library Association states that one of the Eight Key Action Areas that defines librarianship and is "Education and Lifelong Learning.” This value resonates deeply with me because I see curiosity as the fuel that keeps this value alive. Whether it’s assisting a patron in researching a random topic, guiding a student toward a new academic discovery, or digitizing historical documents to preserve them for future generations, I believe my role as a librarian is to help nurture and cultivate curiosity in others so they can be lifelong learners themselves.

In addition to professional practice, I belive curiosity also fuels empathy and understanding. It encourages us to engage with perspectives other than our own, ask meaningful questions, and seek common ground with others. In my work and schooling, I have learned how access to diverse stories and viewpoints can transform communities, as well as bridge gaps in understanding and encouraging thoughtful discourse. The Society of American Archivists highlights one of their core organizational values as, “Fostering an open and inclusive culture of creativity, collaboration, and experimentation across the association.” This principle aligns with my belief that curiosity should be encouraged through equitable access to knowledge.

I believe curiosity enhances both individuals and society as a whole. It is a force that drives progress, creativity, and human connection. In my career, I strive to uphold this value by fostering spaces where questions are encouraged, knowledge is celebrated, and discovery is has no limits.

Life is all about diversity. The exchange of new ideas and experiences is a key component to both the human experience, and the academic and artistic pursuits that we as humans pursue. Music libraries can do much to foster and cultivate an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome. However, there are still areas that can be improved upon and there will always be work that can be done in order to improve the inclusivity of these spaces. Libraries are meant to be spaces where everyone should feel safe, included, and represented and I believe that actively creating an environment that celebrates diversity fosters a deeper sense of belonging. This includes ensuring collections reflect a wide range of musical cultures and perspectives, demonstrating sensitivity and respect in interactions with all patrons, and promoting a diverse library team.

As a cisgender white male, I acknowledge that my own experiences may not encompass the full spectrum of human identity, however, I am committed to constantly expanding my understanding of different cultures and perspectives. It is my own personal mission to use whatever power or platform I am lucky enough to have in order to amplify voices from different cultures and different backgrounds. While I am not part of the LGBTQ community, or female, or BIPOC, I do have many friends who identify as part of those groups. Many of whom I have talked to in the past about their experiences and their advice for how to create safer and more inclusive spaces. 

In one of my previous positions as a Graduate Supervisor for the Bowling Green State University Music Library and Bill Schurk Sound Archives, I was put in charge of a project where one of the key elements was diversity and representation. I was tasked with creating a purchase list for the library centered on video game soundtracks that were culturally, historically, and academically relevant. Another factor that I had to take into consideration when deciding which soundtracks were more important to purchase was if the game contained themes or characters that were considered diverse. This could include games where there is a female protagonist, to games where LGBTQ or BIPOC characters are present. Near the top of my list of important soundtracks to purchase were Celeste, a game that contained a trans woman as the creator, a trans woman as one of the main composers, and a trans woman as the main character, and Hades, a game where there were LGBTQ themes surrounding multiple characters, including the protagonist, and many of the Olympian gods and mythological figures had been represented as BIPOC. 

Previously, I worked as a substitute teacher in Brown County, Ohio where there is a clear lack of emphasis on inclusivity and diversity at the majority of the schools in which I worked. While I may not have been a year-round teacher, I knew that I could make a change for the better when it comes to these topics. During the 2023-2024 school year, I did my best to ensure that every kid in my class felt welcome, and sometimes that would include pulling students aside and explaining to them why what they did or said was offensive or hurtful to others. Sometimes, it seemed like my interactions with students on these topics were the only interactions they ever had where they were called out for these inappropriate and offensive behaviors. While I know that I was not going to be a key figure in many of these students’ lives, I feel that it is my responsibility to do my best to educate these students and create a welcoming and inclusive environment even if it is only for a couple of days. 

I am committed to celebrating diversity in all its forms into the distant future. I plan on actively promoting the library and its resources to a broad audience, ensuring collections reflect a wide range of musical cultures and perspectives. In addition, I will prioritize sensitivity and respect in interactions with patrons from all backgrounds, fostering a sense of belonging where everyone feels comfortable seeking assistance. Furthermore, I recognize the importance of a diverse library team. I am excited by the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues who bring a wealth of viewpoints and experiences to the table. Working together, we can create a library space that is truly representative of the rich history of music and the individuals who create it.