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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Martha Hickson @sassylibrarian.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

“An Emmy doesn't stop a book ban … We need to turn this moment of recognition into a moment of action.”

action.everylibrary.org

Librarians Won the Emmys!

We need to turn this moment of recognition into a moment of action.

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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 · 09/09/2026

Thank you! I’m excited for the much shorter commute 😂

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

If you’re looking for a library gig in the Kansas City area, my job is up for grabs! This is my last week in this role — one that is tough to leave. The team is so great to work with, plus, they have an upcoming expansion and renovation!

basehorlibrary.com

Employment Opportunities - Basehor Community Library

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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 · 03/09/2026

If you’re in KCMO and are at all arachnophobic, I highly suggest avoiding the stairs on the Town of Kansas Birdge at 6:00 on a warm summer morning. Every corner of every landing had a web with a huge brown spider on it. If you’re the kind of weirdo like me who’s fascinated by them go check it out!

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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

Yes! There were tons running around exploring - had to be very strategic not to get them in my photos!

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

This one really helped me when my husband and I spent some time apart back in 2020 (one of the toughest years for everyone, I know). Thank you, Dolly 🫶💔

open.spotify.com

Lonely Comin' Down

Dolly Parton · Jolene (Expanded Edition) · Song · 1974

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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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Matt @mattlibrarian.eurosky.social · 10/08/2026

Sharing my Dewey Decimal Classification Lego Card Game for any back to school Library folk who may need something new for library lessons this year teenlibrarian.co.uk/2014/09/09/d... 📚📜

Eight cards: four from the Dewey Deck featuring DDC numbers and four from the picture deck, featuring Lego minifigs

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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 · 08/08/2026

I went through the stacks and did my best to fix what was out of place, but it was one of those situations where you don’t know what was touched because everything was touched. I gave the shelvers a heads up that some extra shelf reading might be helpful.

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

Tried so hard not to be that grouchy old librarian to the church youth group who showed up unannounced for a scavenger hunt to find books published in each decade and rushed through the stacks pulling books off the shelves and returning them in random places and backwards and then left. So hard. 😬😭

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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

I love them, but I’ve been afraid to use and wash them because of the artwork! 😬😂

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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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Nate Chamberlain @natechamberlain.com · 01/08/2026

We're in the last week of fundraising for Starry Night at Starlight, & @williamottens.com & I need your help Our goal is to raise another $1,500 for Starlight's internship program. Every donation helps create opportunities for young people seeking arts careers secure.givelively.org/donate/starl...

secure.givelively.org

Donate to William Ottens & Nate Chamberlain's Fundraiser for Starry Night at Starlight 2026 by Starlight Theatre

Starry Knight at StarlightPresented by Stepp & Rothwell and Janssen Estate Probate and Elder LawSaturday, August 8th, 20266:00 - 11:30 p.m.Starry Night at Starlight highlights the sixth class of ...

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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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Becky Calzada @becalzada.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

The Librarians Film is officially a nominee for an EMMY! I’m so proud to be a part of this film documenting librarians on the censorship frontlines. @thelibrariansfilm.bsky.social @pbs.org

Emmy Nominee Exceptional Merit in Documentary Filmmaking category: The Librarians a film by Kim A. Snyder.

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

Shaping up to be quite the Monday at the library today. Phones and Internet haven’t been working all morning. Now someone just slipped off one of the toilets in the men’s room and busted the seat in half. They’re okay, thankfully.

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Kansas City Public Library @kclibrary.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

Library 🤝 Soccer We have had so much fun hosting various watch parties at our locations. ⚽ The Library is a gathering space for everyone — bring a friend and check out our upcoming programming at kclibrary.org/calendar.

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kelly jensen @heykellyjensen.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

I'm still looking for your stories and links!

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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

I’ve only found a drag queen and a musician so far, but I haven’t done a deep dive.

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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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Becky Spratford @raforall.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

You all-- I never thought I'd see the day, but library peeps, strap in for a fight. The Author's Guild is going after us as the reason why authors are making less money. I don't think they understand who they are dealing with: www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...

publishersweekly.com

Authors Guild Looks at Why Author Incomes Are in Decline

A survey commissioned by the Guild found that only 25% of print books and e-books read in the past month were bought new or through a paid subscription, with readers increasingly turning to low- or no...

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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

Happy anniversary! ilu2 😊❤️

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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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Andromeda Yelton @thatandromeda.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

So, the rank-and-file staff of the MIT Libraries is pretty uniformly excellent - capable, interesting, kind - and should you perhaps find a résumé cross your desk from one, you should give it serious consideration. 📚

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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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