User:Michael J. Dargan

The account of this former contributor was not re-activated after the server upgrade of March 2022.

I am currently employed as Head of Reference for the Waterloo Public Library (www.waterloopubliclibrary.org) in Waterloo, Iowa (NOT Ontario, Canada!). I also provide Technical Systems Support for the Waterloo and Cedar Falls Public Libraries ( www.cedarfallspubliclibrary.org).

I have an MLS from the University of Iowa (2003), an Master of Arts in Education from the University of Northern Iowa (1996) as well as a Master's in English Language & Literature, also from the University of Northern Iowa (1991).

Prior to my becoming a librarian (1996), I worked as a part-time adjunct instructor of English for the University of Northern Iowa, Wartburg College, and Hawkeye Community College, all located in northeast Iowa. Before that I farmed in rural Black Hawk, Grundy, and Butler counties, also in northeast Iowa.

My academic specialty was literary non-fiction. Currently, my interests include public library management, Library 2.0/Web 2.0 applications and theory, public access computer management (especially security and stability), and personnel management. My hobbies include American History (especially Civil War and WW II), piston engined aircraft, hunting firearms, and bicycling. I'm an unabashed car and motorcycle nut. Show me a farm tractor built between 1950 and 1985, and I'll give you a paragraph about its specifications, strengths and weaknesses. I've always been fascinated by hardware.