Since 2023, he has been responsible for managing the library's collection, which includes electronic and print works, among other media.
ZEELAND, MI, November 18, 2024 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Stephen E. Michaels, MDiv, MLIS, has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Mr. Michaels is a distinguished professional in the field of library science, currently serving as the director of Cook Library at Western Theological Seminary. Since 2023, he has been responsible for managing the library's collection, which includes electronic and print works, among other media. His role encompasses overseeing acquisitions and cataloging functions, maintaining the library's section of the seminary website and chairing weekly staff meetings to deal with budget planning and policy formulation. He is also tasked with conducting annual performance appraisals, team building and assigning job duties.
Prior to his current position, Mr. Michaels served as the interim library director at Western Theological Seminary from 2021 to 2023. During this period, he demonstrated exceptional leadership skills by successfully migrating the library management system from Innovative Sierra to Alma amidst a significant $15 million building project. Simultaneously from 2015 to 2023, he was the emerging technologies librarian at the same institution.
Mr. Michaels began his tenure at Western Theological Seminary in 2008 as an electronic services and systems librarian, a position he held until 2015. Before this, he was an assistant librarian at Kentucky Christian University for the preceding three years. His career in library science commenced with a role as a general services and reference librarian at Biblical Theological Seminary (now Missio Seminary) from 1991 to 1997 and as a library intern at Muhlenberg College in 2004.
In addition to his professional roles, Mr. Michaels has been actively involved in industry-related organizations, such as Atla and the Michigan Academic Library Association. He is also a past member of the American Library Association. His expertise in collection development and system management has been widely recognized within these circles.
Mr. Michaels' academic journey began with a Bachelor of Arts in Bible and Biblical studies from Alliance University in New York City in 1990, followed by a Master of Divinity from Missio Seminary in Hatfield in 1995. In pursuit of expanding his knowledge in library science, he completed a Master of Library and Information Science at the University of Pittsburgh in 2004. His certifications include being a Primo VE Certified Administrator and an Alma Certified Administrator through Ex Libris, as well as completing the Load Profile Training Workshop with Innovative Interfaces Inc.
In recognition of his contributions to the field of library science and academia, Mr. Michaels received an award from Biblical Theological Seminary in 1995. Throughout his career, he has consistently attributed his success to the unwavering support of his family and the guiding principles derived from his deep-rooted faith.
Outside of his professional life, Mr. Michaels enjoys collecting music recordings, both LPs and CDs, practicing landscape photography, hiking and spending time with his family, including his three children. Looking ahead, he aims to ensure that Western Theological Seminary's library demonstrates a strong commitment to expanding its physical collection while also bolstering its electronic resources.
About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.
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