James R. AhernMA, MLIS, CAS, Ed.D. candidateProfessional Librarian/Archivist, Cultural Heritage Expert, & EducatorCertified Public Librarian (Ohio Library Council, lifetime membership)
Certificated Paralegal (allied member of the ABA & OSBA)
Professional Credentials & Certifications
Certified professional librarian in the Commonwealths of Virginia (Certificate No. 5865, 19 June 2012) and Massachusetts (Certificate No. P5752, 7 January 2021). Certified by the Ohio Library Council as a public librarian (lifetime membership, September 2023). As of 28 October 2020, professional public librarianship credentials are registered with the State of Maryland's Department of Education, Division of Educator Certification, per the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR), Title 14 (Independent Agencies), Subtitle 38 (State Library), Section 14.38.01.01. Beta Phi Mu (Beta Rho chapter, admitted in 2012) academic honor society for international library & information studies (LIS). Kappa Delta Pi (Alpha Kappa Eta chapter, admitted in 2025) international honor society for educators; Alumnus, U.S. Naval War College (M.A. National Security and Strategic Studies, resident, 2015). Completion of five summer institute programs at the Harvard University campus, Harvard Institutes for Higher Education (HIHE) programs: (1) Leadership Institute for Academic Librarians (2013) and (2) Library Leadership in the Digital Age (2014); Harvard Graduate School of Design, Executive Education programs: (1) Future of Library Design & Academic Libraries (2023), (2) Academic Libraries: Space Planning & Design Charette (2023), and (3) Integrated Project Management (Harvard Law School, Wasserstein Hall, 2025). Regular member of the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) for seventeen consecutive years. Certificated paralegal (ABA-approved program, May 2023). Allied professional member of the American Bar Association (ABA) and the Ohio State Bar Association (OSBA); continuing legal education (CLE) is officially documented within the jurisdiction of the Ohio Supreme Court through the ABA or OSBA.
Background
I came to software development through an unlikely path — a deep interest in history, language, and the way ideas are preserved and transmitted across time. That background shapes everything I build.
Over the years I have worked with research institutions, independent studios, publishing houses, and small businesses. The scale varies; the standard does not. Every project receives the same deliberate attention.
I am based in the United Kingdom, working with clients across Europe and North America. I take on a small number of projects each year — enough to give each one the time it deserves.
Philosophy
Craft over speed
Good work takes the time it takes. I would rather deliver something excellent slightly later than something mediocre on schedule.
Clarity above cleverness
The most elegant solution is usually the simplest one. Code that is easy to read, maintain, and extend is worth more than code that is merely impressive.
Longevity by design
I build with the assumption that what I make will outlast the current moment. Accessibility, performance, and maintainability are not optional extras.
Honest collaboration
I tell clients what I think, not what they want to hear. The best outcomes come from honest conversation, not comfortable agreement.
Credentials & Experience
Languages & Frameworks
TypeScript, React, Node.js, SQL
Specialisms
Full-stack development, design systems, API architecture
Tools
PostgreSQL, MySQL, Drizzle ORM, Tailwind CSS, Vite
Standards
WCAG 2.1 AA, Core Web Vitals, semantic HTML
Experience
8+ years in professional software development
Education
BA History, MA Digital Humanities
Work with me.
If you have a project that deserves careful attention, I would be glad to hear about it.
Get in touch