William the Librarian
LightNews LightNews
banner
williamottens.com
William the Librarian
@williamottens.com
3K followers 670 following 480 posts
Librarian in the Kansas City area. Creator of librarianproblems.com. Author of LIBRARIAN TALES. Lover of all things cats and books. He/him. williamthelibrarian.com 🏳️‍🌈📚😺
Posts Replies Media Videos
williamottens.com
“I wanted to regret saying yes too much rather than saying no too much.” - @scottyb.bsky.social #LMCC25
A PowerPoint slide with the text: Opening the doors and saying yes I wanted to regret saying yes too much rather than saying no too much. - Had to lean on volunteers and orgs - No idea how many programs we did - Flash programming - Missed opportunities - Don't know if I did the right thing
November 12, 2025 at 3:37 PM
williamottens.com
“Normal in libraryland is pretty darn awesome.” Hearing from @scottyb.bsky.social about his experience at his library during the 2014 Ferguson protests. #LMCC25
Scott standing at a lectern, speaking to the LMCC audience.
November 12, 2025 at 3:19 PM
williamottens.com
In St. Louis for the Library Marketing & Communications Conference, and of course have to get this selfie. #LMCC25
Two white men in winter coats pose for a selfie in front of the St. Louis arch, which towers over trees with fall foliage.
November 11, 2025 at 8:31 PM
williamottens.com
Somebody found the Petcube
A black and white up close photo of a cat’s face looking into the camera
November 9, 2025 at 12:24 PM
williamottens.com
Post you from a different era.

90’s/00’s boy band wannabe William:
Me as a teen dressed in an over sized brown shirt and holding a guitar. My hair styled with a middle part.
November 7, 2025 at 7:45 PM
williamottens.com
Had a fun morning sharing about the Guinea Baboons during Boo at the Zoo @kansascityzoo.bsky.social
William in a zoo uniform in front of a baboon habitat talking to a family dressed up in Spider-Man outfits. The father has a child in a Spider-Man suit on his shoulders.
October 26, 2025 at 5:18 PM
williamottens.com
Excited for our first ride from the River Market to Westport on the @kcstreetcar.org extension! #KCMO
Nate and William, two white men, take a selfie while seated on a streetcar.
October 25, 2025 at 4:06 PM
williamottens.com
Baxter is up for cutest cat of #KansasCity via @kansascity.com! He's been going through a lot of stress lately because of a new roommate situation, so your vote would mean a lot to him.

Help him make round 2 by voting here by midnight tonight: www.kansascity.com/news/local/a...
Baxter, a black and white tuxedo cat, wearing a green monster hat with horns.
October 23, 2025 at 6:14 PM
williamottens.com
Eisley says, “Hello! Good morning!”
An orange and white tabby cat sitting on the top of a tall scratching post. He’s reaching a paw out toward the camera.
October 22, 2025 at 12:49 PM
williamottens.com
Oh the drama
Two cats on a gray chair with a throw pillow, cat shaped pillow, and yellow blanket. The yellow and white one is on the chair back looking down at the black tuxedo cat who looks very uninterested in engaging.
October 21, 2025 at 12:55 PM
williamottens.com
Eisley, the new guy, didn’t want me to go to work this morning
A yellow and white tabby cat on his back in front of a door, his paws are on the draft stopper
October 20, 2025 at 4:30 PM
williamottens.com
Sometimes love just happens. So happy to bring home this floppy adorable ball of fur from @kcpetproject.bsky.social.
Me (a white man wearing a blue jacket and grey hat) with a yellow and white cat in his arms. The cat is bent back over my arm with his eyes closed.
October 19, 2025 at 8:41 PM
williamottens.com
Enjoying the beautiful fall weather volunteering at the @kansascityzoo.bsky.social with @natechamberlain.com
Two white men in jackets and sunglasses taking a selfie on a bridge. Fall foliage and a creek behind them.
October 19, 2025 at 3:37 PM
williamottens.com
Another 10k done! #KansasCityMarathon
Two men stand in front of a crowd near the finish line. A museum is in the far background under a partially cloudy blue sky.
October 18, 2025 at 2:02 PM
williamottens.com
It’s a beautiful morning in Kansas City for a run! #KansasCityMarathon
Two white men taking a selfie in front of a crowd of people, an announcer tent, and a run start line
October 18, 2025 at 12:23 PM
williamottens.com
We got lots of fun Treat Monster name suggestions! Forgot how much fun library outreach can be.
A large piece of paper with “What should we name our treat monsters?” at the top and many names, some silly, some normal, in children’s handwriting. Three monsters are at the bottom.
October 11, 2025 at 10:05 PM
williamottens.com
Debuting treat monsters and polling for names at a library outreach event this afternoon. HOW CUTE ARE THEY?!
Three monster shaped candy baskets on a glass display case in a library. The one on the left is pink with one eye and horns, the one in the middle is blue with two eye stalks, and the one on the right is yellow-green with two eye stalks. All three have open mouths where the candy goes.
October 11, 2025 at 6:49 PM
williamottens.com
Absolutely adored the Salem Public Library. AND they have a copy of my book!
William dressed as Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz in the library stacks holding a copy of Librarian Tales. William dressed as Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz standing in front of the Salem Public Library, a red brick building with an iron fence around it.
October 4, 2025 at 4:45 PM
williamottens.com
We’re not in Kansas anymore! @natechamberlain.com and I hitched a ride on a twister to run the Witch City 5k in Salem, MA.
Nate dressed like the Scarecrow and William dressed as Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz
October 4, 2025 at 1:48 PM
williamottens.com
City Market Coffee wins my new favorite pumpkin spiced latte — with coconut! #KansasCity
An iced pumpkin spiced latte in a plastic cup with an espresso scoop with wings on it. In the background is the coffee shop with brick walls and plants.
October 2, 2025 at 1:21 PM
williamottens.com
Someone’s not looking forward to Monday.
A black and white tuxedo cat with his head on the arm of a gray couch. He looks despondent.
September 28, 2025 at 11:46 PM
williamottens.com
Celebrating the autumnal equinox
A large coffee mug with R2-D2 on it next to a paper plate with an apple cider donut on it. The mug has “You R2 awesome” on it.
September 22, 2025 at 4:55 PM
williamottens.com
Baxter is so done with this day
A black and white tuxedo cat on a yellow blanket, head resting on a bump. He looks bored and tired.
September 18, 2025 at 12:03 AM
williamottens.com
Getting ready to host my second Bookworm Speed Dating event. Full registration. I’ve never had more fun at the library!
A room full of tables for an event. Each set with “Bookworm Speed Dating” handouts, colorful bookmarks, wrapped books, and a mug with flowers.
September 10, 2025 at 9:53 PM
williamottens.com
Absolutely enjoyed the Indigo Girls and Melissa Etheridge’s performance
@kcstarlight.bsky.social last night! I was CRYING during Melissa’s “Nowhere to Go.”
The Indigo Girls and Melissa Etheridge on stage with a band in front of an audience. The stage is lit in blue and purple tones.
August 22, 2025 at 2:06 PM