Jim didn't want a traditional retirement party. "Too many greenhouse gas emissions, not to mention unwanted calories," he said. So instead we are having a Virtual Retirement Party - carbon neutral and heart healthy!

To celebrate, Jim wants all his colleagues and associates to post a good wish, photo or a memory to this blog. You can even ask Jim a question. Jim will reply to every post! (Jim will be the only person able to comment on messages after they are posted).

And while you're at it, Jim hopes you will consider a donation in his honor to his favorite charity, our own Talking Book and Braille Services.

Please submit your message before Jim retires on December 30, 2011. Include your name at the end of your message.

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

My Adventures with Jim

Oh, Jim....

First, I've gotta congratulate you on both your impressive legacy to libraries and your new freedom to pursue all those avocations and interests I know you have bubbling in the lab of your ever-curious mind.

I will always look happily on our Mad Scientist adventures in shared services and imagining the future, none of which would have happened without your belief that a better idea is always out there for anyone to discover. I'm as proud of the continued success of Plinkit and (the re-renamed) Answerland reference service as any Edison with a lightbulb. But there were plenty of people in his lab, trying everything and making it better, bit by bit, like Darci, Caleb, and all the talented library staff who give their brains and heart to Plinkit, Answerland, and so many other leaps of faith you have supported through the state library over the years. And the true secret of Edison's success was paying attention to the whole system of distribution and use, not just the lightbulb. That was your particular genius, Jim. You believed in the power of doing this work together, trying things, sharing what we learned. So we are all richer and better for it.

It was like old home week when you asked me to help COSLA imagine and choose possible futures for public libraries as eBooks become mainstream. You wanted libraries to meet the future with confidence, not in fear, as always. The productive conversations and thought among library leadership, triggered by our eBook study and scenarios, amazed and gratified me, though you didn't seem at all surprised by that reaction. The work we did together for COSLA is some of my favorite stuff and ranks among the best times I've had serving libraries. Sure, there was that trip to Colorado to present Plinkit to BCR (now LYRASIS), the two of us brilliant Oregonians fumbling to figure out how to use a gas pump for the rental car. And presentations for Virtual Reference Desk, OLA, and Oregon library directors to garner support for Answerland and Plinkit. But it was lovely to take a trip back to libraries after being gone so long and rediscover those sharp-minded, revolutionary souls who passionately care whether people truly retain their full right to be informed, culturally connected citizens of this democracy. I know you care, too.

Thanks for all the adventures, Jim. I've been lucky to find great champions like you in my career, and I promise to give that same leg up to others, whenever I can. Stay cool, man.

Eva Miller

Monday, January 2, 2012

The Long Goodbye

Jim-
I’ve been thinking about this blog posting for months now and I am at a loss for words, as hard as that may be to believe. We have worked together for 16 years and I could probably go on for pages but I think I will make it short and to the point. Thank you for everything, you have been a wonderful (though sometimes annoying) boss and an incredible colleague. I will be in touch, trust me.
MaryKay