iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

William the Librarian @williamottens.com · 17/09/2026

Still thinking about my lunch today. Now that I work downtown, I’ll definitely be a regular at Kansas City’s Wrap It Up!

The interior of a counter service taco restaurant with a menu on the back wall, a leafy plant on the counter, next to a food prep counter with a sneeze guard.

Two corn tortilla tacos on a white platter.

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William the Librarian @williamottens.com · 10/09/2026

There was an indexing issue with the ILS and the last books I cataloged aren’t appearing And the building’s water was unexpectedly shut off for about an hour …I’m gonna miss this place!

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William the Librarian @williamottens.com · 10/09/2026

I also put up a massive butterfly photo op

A massive monarch butterfly fly cutout on a white wall

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William the Librarian @williamottens.com · 10/09/2026

It’s my last day at my current library and… I helped dress “Ms. Frizzlestraw,” the library’s entry into the local history museum’s scarecrows on parade fundraiser

A mannequin body was dressed like Ms. Frizzle from The Magic School bus, with straw coming out of the dress. A head with an orange wig is next to it.

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William the Librarian @williamottens.com · 03/09/2026

This lovely creature greeted me at the library this morning

A brown preying mantis with green legs on a grey, stucco wall

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William the Librarian @williamottens.com · 31/08/2026

So I've been applying to different positions at my dream library for about 5 years. Wasn't sure it would ever happen, but I officially start there in two weeks!

A screenshot from an email with confetti, balloons, and "Welcome to The Kansas City Public Library!"

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William the Librarian @williamottens.com · 25/08/2026

Finally visited The Rabbit Hole in North Kansas City. It’s a whimsical, bookish dream!

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William the Librarian @williamottens.com · 09/08/2026

Happy National Book Lovers Day from your average book loving librarian! How appropriate that I get to spend it working at the library.

A selfie of me in front of a shelf of library books. I’m wearing a maroon polo and a tan hat.

Me standing and looking at a book in an isle of library stacks.

My hand holding up a copy of my book Librarian Tales in front of a shelf of library books.

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William the Librarian @williamottens.com · 05/08/2026

Did I just add my own book to the Book Lovers Day display at my library? 🤔 Why, yes. Yes I did. 😂

A library end cap display with books about books and libraries.

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William the Librarian @williamottens.com · 04/08/2026

6 summers in Kansas City = 6 @kclibrary.bsky.social Summer Reading pint glasses!

A bookshelf with 6 pint glasses in front of a row of books. Each has different summer reading artwork on it. The one on the right says “Read Score Roar!”

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William the Librarian @williamottens.com · 12/07/2026

Lizard Under the Skillet done! Longest bike ride @natechamberlain.com and I have done so far — 31 miles south of Lawrence.

A selfie of me (on the left) and Nate in bike helmets in front of SAG stop tents.

A screen shot of a green map with a bike route marked on it.

A selfie of me (on the left) and Nate in bike helmets in front of SAG stop tents. I’m eating a piece of watermelon.

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William the Librarian @williamottens.com · 28/06/2026

Bought an art print at Pride in the Park that reminded me of my cat Baxter, and I’m pretty sure this queen LOVES it

My hand holding a framed art print of a black and white tuxedo cat with its eyes closed and a lit cigarette in its paw in front of a yellow and orange background. Baxter, a real tuxedo cat, is rubbing his face on the frame.

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William the Librarian @williamottens.com · 11/06/2026

Paige Turner is back and she says, “Have you signed up for Summer Reading yet?”

A mannequin wearing a green headband with plants and dinosaurs on it, glasses, a purple t-shirt, and skirt with a map print on it. She has curly hair made out of paper, and a green crossbody bag over her shoulder.

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William the Librarian @williamottens.com · 10/06/2026

Today in other duties as assigned: putting together the new body for our library mascot, Paige Turner

A library office desk with a partially constructed bust of mannequin on the desktop. Its legs are leaning against the side of the desk.

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William the Librarian @williamottens.com · 09/06/2026

Celebrating 14 years with @natechamberlain.com today! We got married in a park in Des Moines because Iowa was the nearest state where it was legal back then, and ever since, he’s been my best friend, my biggest supporter, and the best human being I could have chosen to spend my life with 😊❤️🌈

Me and Nate standing at a microphone. We’re wearing white button up shirts, ties, and green boutonnières. I’m reading my vows from a piece of paper.

Me and Nate cutting into a large sheet cake with one knife.

Me and Nate hugging and facing away from the camera toward a wooded backdrop. A string of green and brown balloons floats to the right of us.

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William the Librarian @williamottens.com · 07/06/2026

Ran the Great Ferry Race with @natechamberlain.com this morning. It was a hilly, forested beast and we both were near last of our age groups, but we did it!

Me and Nate taking a selfie in front of a crowd gathered in the car deck of a ferry. I’m wearing a blue shirt with a white hat, and Nate is wearing a black tank top and a colorful headband.

A crowd of people waiting to run off the car deck of a ferry

My hand holding a blue “Great Ferry Race” medal in front of a window overlooking a ferry dock.

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William the Librarian @williamottens.com · 03/06/2026

Over here getting teary eyed about the loss of a baboon at the Kansas City Zoo. 😭 As a docent, I interpret at the baboon habitat. I loved telling guests her name, because they’d chuckle, and some kids would say, “Like @msrachelforlittles.bsky.social!” I’ll miss that sweet creature.

A screenshot of a Facebook post about Rachel the baboon at the Kansas City Zoo. Post reads,

“The Zoo is mourning the loss of Rachel, a Guinea baboon, that recently passed away at the age of 24. Rachel had been treated for age-related issues, but the difficult decision was made to euthanize Rachel upon finding irreversible degenerative changes to her hips.

Rachel was born in 2002 at the Paris Zoological Park, then resided at the Indianapolis Zoo before arriving at the KCZoo in 2019 where she loved to spend her days digging bugs and roots in her habitat. When she wasn't busy digging, Rachel could often be seen sitting with her full body facing the sun, eyes closed, soaking up all the sunshine she could. Her care team says she was very intelligent and enjoyed training, and that she’ll be remembered fondly for the snorting noises she would make when receiving tasty treats and enrichment.

Our staff will miss Rachel dearly, and the troop is adapting to life without this beloved baboon.

Photos by animal care manager Jenna and advanced animal care specialist Heather”

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William the Librarian @williamottens.com · 31/05/2026

The new Giraffe Crossing at the @kansascityzoo.bsky.social is now open, and it’s awesome! @natechamberlain.com and I were excited to see it, and our plaque honoring our donation to the project. #KansasCity

A view of the Giraffe Crossing. In the foreground is a green sign that reads Giraffe Plaza.” In the background is a patio with picnic tables and covered overlook with a sign that reads “Giraffe Overlook”

A view of the Giraffe Crossing barn next to a sky safari lift.

Three giraffes behind a rock wall and fence. Two tall ones are reaching their mouths toward green leaves in the trees, and a shorter one is bending its neck to eat from a bush.

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William the Librarian @williamottens.com · 28/05/2026

Eisley’s ready for his Swedish purr-sage

A orange and white tabby cat lying on his back half covered by a pink lavender colored blanket, his paws are curled

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William the Librarian @williamottens.com · 27/05/2026

The retired children’s librarian who still comes the library regularly saw a photo of my cat Baxter in my office and said it inspired her to make and give me this quilt…for Baxter 😂😭

A black and white block quilt with a red border on one side and a tiled black and cat drawing on the other.

Baxter, a black and white tuxedo cat sitting on an orange poof. He’s looking up at the camera.

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William the Librarian @williamottens.com · 16/05/2026

It’s a beautiful morning for a run in #KansasCity. Ready to conquer the hill with @natechamberlain.com!

William and Nate pose for a selfie in front of a crowd gathered in downtown Kansas City

A crowd gathered near the start line for a run in downtown Kansas City

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William the Librarian @williamottens.com · 10/05/2026

I'm excited to share that @natechamberlain.com and I are All-Stars! We're raising funds for @kcstarlight.bsky.social's paid arts internships for Kansas City's next generation of creatives, techies, designers, and theatre‑makers. And we'd love your help! 🔗 secure.givelively.org/donate/starl...

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William the Librarian @williamottens.com · 07/05/2026

First sighting of Librarian Tales in another country! Took an Alaskan cruise with a final stop in Victoria, British Columbia. Did a quick search of the Greater Victoria Public Library’s catalog and had to stop by to see my book on the shelf. Always fun to see how far my Librarian Tales have gone!

Me holding up a copy of Librarian Tales in front of a shelf of library books

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William the Librarian @williamottens.com · 26/04/2026

Pardon me, would you have any Grey Poupon?

An orange and white tabby cat sits reclined in a windowsill with his front leg on the back of a chair. He’s looking at the camera.

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William the Librarian @williamottens.com · 25/04/2026

Anyway, just got this message and I’m 😭😭😭

Screen shot of a form response that says “Last night’s speed dating was so nice. I’ve been to all 3 and each year you outdo yourselves. The food was delicious, the tables well decorated, the books presented well. Thank you so much for a wonderful evening.”

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William the Librarian @williamottens.com · 11/04/2026

Another great morning to obstruct traffic in Kansas City! #RocktheParkway

Two wife men taking a selfie with 5k race medals around their necks

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William the Librarian @williamottens.com · 09/04/2026

When you get the feline you’re being watched

An orange tabby cat peeks out from behind books on a shelf. Just his eyes and ears are visible.

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William the Librarian @williamottens.com · 02/04/2026

Snagged the ARC I’m most excited about. I can go home now. #PLA2026

An advance copy of Death on the Lanai: A Golden Girls Cozy Mystery by Rachel Ekstrom Courage. The cover is teal with a palm print border, mansion, and the Golden Girls illustrated on it.

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William the Librarian @williamottens.com · 01/04/2026

Contact your senators to #FundLibraries. 🔗 app.oneclickpolitics.com/campaign-pag... #PLA2026

ALA’s Fund Libraries graphic. Reads “Tell Congress to invest in libraries.”

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William the Librarian @williamottens.com · 31/03/2026

Conference time! Looking forward to a week of connecting and learning with fellow public librarians in Minneapolis this week. #PLA2026.

A large sign that reads, “Protect Public Libraries” in blue and purple font on a white background.

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William the Librarian @williamottens.com · 26/03/2026

Continued our library tours and visited the Topeka & Shawnee County Library this afternoon. Loved it! Their recently renovated teen and children’s spaces are amazing!

The entrance to the kid’s library, framed with a giant Lego block, books, and a tree with a large screen in the trunk.

Stacks of children’s library shelves. In the background, the lower half of a green dinosaur is viable, appearing as if it’s broken through the ceiling.

A view into a teen library area with shelves in the middle. The walls are red, and there’s a window and door into a media room.

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William the Librarian @williamottens.com · 25/03/2026

The best part of a library expansion project, besides the expansion project, is touring neighboring libraries for ideas. We hit up Olathe’s Indian Creek libray today and 🤩

Picture book shelves in front of a white wall with a painting of sunflowers on it

Green chars in front of a wood wall with a light bright activity fixture on it.

A glass wall with neon lighting and bubbles looking into a children’s program space

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William the Librarian @williamottens.com · 12/03/2026

Name your favorite cartoon character

An effigy of Alanis Morissette in the northern lights in the cartoon The Great North

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William the Librarian @williamottens.com · 12/02/2026

Eisley hopes your work day is off to a great start!

A yellow and white tabby cat lying in an office chair with his head hanging upside down

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William the Librarian @williamottens.com · 26/01/2026

If you're in the #KansasCity area, love working with kids, and are looking for a library job, apply to work with me! Just a short drive from the Legends and starts at $50k! 🔗 basehorlibrary.com/employment-o...

Hiring add for the Basehor Community Library's Children's Services Librarian Position. Text includes "Full time. Experience creating and implementing programs for children. Master's in Library Science preferred, BA degree and experience may substitute."

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William the Librarian @williamottens.com · 21/01/2026

This kitty offered us a high five after we climbed all 921 Phoenician Steps in Capri

A caramel colored tabby cat sitting on a white wall

A caramel colored tabby cat laying on its side with one paw stretched toward the camera

A caramel colored tabby cat sitting next to a white wall. Three people are walking past in the background.

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William the Librarian @williamottens.com · 19/01/2026

Starting my own zoo with all these street cats here 😂

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William the Librarian @williamottens.com · 19/01/2026

In Italy. Found a cat. Staying here now.

Me (a white man wearing a blue jacket, blue jeans, and a gray hat) sitting on a patio with cat that’s mostly white with brown patches. My hand is petting the cat’s head.

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William the Librarian @williamottens.com · 19/12/2025

Disappearing to somewhere warm for the holidays. Byeeeee!

Two wicker chairs on a patio facing a tropical scene with palm trees, green grass, and a blue sky over a lagoon in the distance.

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William the Librarian @williamottens.com · 16/12/2025

My #LibFaves25 Day 9 pick is I THINK THEY LOVE YOU by @julianwinters.bsky.social! A second chance romance with fake dating, humor, spice and lots of heart. Absolutely adored it!

The cover image of I THINK THEY LOVE YOU by Julian Winters. Two black men in suits, the one on the right is standing and looking down toward the other, who's sitting on a pink ottoman. A balloon arch and silhouettes of five people in the distance are behind them. The title and author's name are in white sans-serif font.

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William the Librarian @williamottens.com · 15/12/2025

My #LibFaves25 Day 8 pick is THE MASK OF FEAR by Alexander Freed. This Star Wars novel takes place just after the rise of the Empire, and follows early resistance to Palpatine's new regime. Dense with political intrigue, but not without thrilling adventure!

The cover image of STAR WARS: THE MASK OF FEAR by Alexander Freed. It's mostly black, with white and red font. In the center is Mon Mothma standing in a senate chamber pod with a shaft of light cast over her. She's wearing a white robe. The rest of the pods are empty.

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William the Librarian @williamottens.com · 14/12/2025

HEMLOCK & SILVER by @tkingfisher.com is my Day 6 #LibFaves25 pick! Loved the mystery and adventure in this creative Snow White meets Alice in Wonderland reimagining.

My hand holding a copy of HEMLOCK & SILVER by T.Kingfisher in front of a shelf of library books. The cover is mostly black with the title in white font and author’s name in yellow. Behind the text, a red apple is wrapped with a green snake and flowers.

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William the Librarian @williamottens.com · 13/12/2025

A GORGEOUS EXCITEMENT by Cynthia Weiner is my Day 6 #LibFaves25 pick. A gritty coming-of-age set in 1980’s New York and inspired by the “Preppy Murder” case. So good!

A copy of A GORGEOUS EXCITEMENT on wood table next to a glass of beer and flowers.

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William the Librarian @williamottens.com · 12/12/2025

My Day 5 #LibFaves25 pick is DEATH OF THE AUTHOR by Nnedi Okorafor! An intriguing story within a story with both literary and SciFi elements. It was my first read of 2025, and a great start to the year! (Enjoyed it on a cruise back in January.)

My hand holding a glass of mimosa next to a copy of DEATH OF THE AUTHOR by Nnedi Okorafor on a striped beach towel. In the background is a cruise ship deck.

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William the Librarian @williamottens.com · 11/12/2025

THE EMPEROR OF GLADNESS by Ocean Vuong is my #LibFaves25 Day 3 pick. A gorgeously written novel about finding chosen family and surviving on the fringes of society. Ugh, this one will stay with me.

My hand holding up a copy of THE EMPEROR OF GLADNESS by Ocean Vuong in front of an aisle of library shelves. The cover has a black background and a photo of a silhouette of a boy occluding an orange sunset. The title and author’s name are in white sans serif and all caps text.

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William the Librarian @williamottens.com · 10/12/2025

My Day 3 #LibFaves25 pick is YOU WEREN’T MEANT TO BE HUMAN by Andrew Joseph White. Probably the one of the most disturbing books I’ve ever read, and. I. Loved. It.

My hand holding up a copy of YOU WEREN’T MEANT TO BE HUMAN by Andrew Joseph White in front of a library shelf. The book cover is black with red and off-white font and red worms are wiggling through the title.

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William the Librarian @williamottens.com · 09/12/2025

Keeping with yesterday’s Italian theme, my #LibFaves25 Day 2 pick is IT HAD TO BE HIM by Adib Khorram! After years apart, two high school friends reconnect by happenstance in Italy and fall fast for each other. A fun, spicy second chance romance that has me looking forward to a trip to Italy!

A copy of IT HAD TO BE HIM by Adib Khorram on a pink blanket. The cover is mostly pink with two men in house coats linking arms behind the title in white font. In the background are Italian buildings, a trolley, and a street grid.

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William the Librarian @williamottens.com · 08/12/2025

Can’t believe it’s #LibFaves25 time already! My first pick is THE AMALFI CURSE by Sarah Penner. Sea witches, ship wrecks, a treasure hunt, and a little Italian romance — this one was so much fun!

A copy of The Amalfi Curse by Sarah Penner on a round end table in front of a library shelf. The cover of the book is an aerial view of blue water and a ship with gold type.

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