KISTLER, John M. 1967-

Personal

Born November 14, 1967, in Walton Beach, FL; son of John D. (in law enforcement) and Bernice L. Rickard (a tax preparer) Kistler. Education: Geneva College, B.A., 1989; Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary, M.Div., 1992; University of Pittsburgh, M.L.S., 1995. Religion: Presbyterian.

Addresses

Home— 301 W. Pike St. Apt. 4B, Houston, PA 15342. E-mail— kistlerj@msn.com.

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."

Biographical and Critical Sources

PERIODICALS

Booklist, November 15, 2000, review of Animal Rights: A Subject Guide, Bibliography, and Internet Compantion, p. 661.

Quarterly Review of Biology, September, 2001, David Fraser, review of Animal Rights: A Subject Guide, Bibliography, and Internet Companion, p. 339.