CETconnect.org

CET has generously given me space on today’s blog to say a few words about an outstanding librarian, an outstanding person: Keith Kuhn, Library Services Director, The Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton County. He died this week, and I am still short of breath from hearing the news. Rather than memorialize him here (he was a terrific librarian and person, and many will do that job), I’d like to share some of the work he directed, encouraged and/or participated in.

I was fortunate to have worked at CET when the Library and CET began some serious relationship-building. Indulge me if you will, one related memory that will stay with me. Keith and I met each other for the first time at, oh, I don’t know, some function or another. We came to the same conclusion during our conversation: “Hey, why aren’t the Library and CET doing more together?” That was followed by, *blink*, “Hey, we can do something about that!” And so the two of us were proud to be able to say that we worked to help build what is today a very strong partnership between two treasured Cincinnati institutions. May I just add: He was a really, really great guy. Except that he stole one of my staff out from under me. But I told him I wouldn’t be bitter.

Here are a few of the things that Keith helped along the way in CET-Library partnerships:

• The Library was among the very first partners on board when CETconnect was born. In this video, Keith talks at 2007’s partner celebration about how that worked. Oh, and he brings up yet again how he stole a staff member. I repeat that I’m not bitter.
• Before I left, he also brought to the table the idea of streaming tours of the Library. I see that has come to be. Cool.
• Keith directed work toward Cincinnati’s book festival Books By The Banks. The Library set the work in motion and brought together a steering team from not-for-profits from around the city. CET is pleased to be a partner in “BBTB.”
• He directed staff that developed the Library’s Veterans History Project, which provided helpful background and partnership possibilities for CET’s local outreach for the Ken Burns’ series The War.
• CET and the Library, partnering with Success By 6, brought Cincinnati Joel’s Library Jam, a series and website featuring books and activities for grades K-3, along with a singing, magic-performing real-life children’s librarian. Keith supported the planning process and implementation as his staff and mine worked on this project.

There are many other things I could mention, of course, but that gives you a taste. Keith’s absence will be felt in many places, but I certainly will miss him for his willingness to both listen to and propose crazy ideas (”Patsy, I have this idea … could we even do this?”), his calm presence during hectic project moments, and his friendly, confident approach to building professional partnerships.

-Patsy Carruthers