I got to make a vision board at work, resources provided by our social worker who comes to our library twice a week. @resilienthpil
I don't think I've made one before, after everything in my life, I'm happy to be alive, so I realize my vision is to continue to go with the flow. My mind, body and spirit just keep going, and all the changes that come with it will show me my way.
So, I'm a librarian! It was not what I thought I would be, but I'm so glad I am one.
I spend all day helping people get information to do what they want to do. Highlights have been:
- Introducing 3D printing to kids who want to make all sorts of things
- Teaching someone how to use voice recordings so they can dictate their memoirs about their immigrant experience
- Helping someone digitize their 25 year old cassettes with memories they haven't seen before
- Teaching people embroidery, sewing, vinyl cutting, sublimation printing and other makerspace activities.
- Inspiring neurodivergent older adults to find apps and programming that give them pleasure
- Getting trained in dementia awareness and how to administer Narcan
And that's only a fraction of what I've done. But the effects are immediate, and the affirmation/validation I've gotten from patrons and co-workers has helped me during very lonely and painful times.
I hope to do a bunch of projects on this platform inspired by my job. Sharing resources, library history, fun book covers, makerspace projects, random stuff. I plan to start with a philosophy project, so stay tuned!
Happy Halloween! I wanted to release a new album with my live improvisations on my YouTube channel. A very fascinating progression as the tracks are in chronological order.
New directions are underway! Link to SoundCloud in bio!
Tony “TJ” Moaton is an archivist, researcher and experimental music producer. TJ graduated from Oberlin College with a self-created major in Performance Studies, a Graduate Certificate from the University of the Arts in Devised Performance through the Pig Iron School of Advanced Performance Training, and a Master of Library and Information Science from Dominican University focusing on Archives and Cultural Heritage.
TJ is excited for “The chance to sing diverse music and create community with diverse people during a time of violence and hostility toward the goals of diversity, equity and inclusion.”
Learn more at chromachicago.org.
📸: @mietustouch
