John M. Kistler (1967-) Biography

Born 1967, in Walton Beach, FL; Education: Geneva College, B.A., 1989; Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary, M.Div., 1992; University of Pittsburgh, M.L.S., 1995. Religion: Presbyterian.

Career

Collection development librarian in Beaver Falls, PA, 1997-98; Community College of Beaver County, Monaca, PA, library director, 1998-99; West Virginia State College, Institute, collections development librarian, 2000-02; Utah State University, Logan, acquisitions librarian, 2002-04.

Writings

Animal Rights: A Subject Guide, Bibliography, and Internet Companion, Greenwood Press (Westport, CT), 2000.

People Promoting and People Opposing Animal Rights: In Their Own Words, Greenwood Press (Westport, CT), 2002.

Animals Are the Issue: Library Resources on Animal Issues, Haworth Information Press (Binghamton, NY), 2004.

Contributor to Library Journal, Acquisitions Librarian, Against the Grain, Covenanter Witness, and Christian Statesman.

Work in Progress

War Elephants, a nonfiction book for Praeger Publishing; A Beastly Theology: Animals in Christianity.

Sidelights

John M. Kistler told Something about the Author: "I am a moderate on animals rights and welfare issues, because I do not like either extreme. I try to keep my opinions to a minimum in my professional writing and just present "the facts" so that students and researchers can come to their own conclusions. However, I am very hopeful that my writing will improve the lives of animals and the virtues of people in treating animals well.

"One reason I try to be neutral is because so many of the books published now about animal issues are volatile and one-sided; polemical rather than informational. This is understandable on an emotional issue, but does not help researchers to find their own train of thought. As a professional librarian I am also sensitive to the neutrality of the helper, directing the patron to good resources, not persuading the patron to adopt my favorite opinions."