NMRT Councilor

For more information on this position, please visit: Duties of ALA Councilors

Candidate Christina Rodriques

Question 1: Why are you interested in this position?

I would like to serve as a NMRT Councilor because I believe the newest generation of librarians will empower ALA to grow and succeed. As a NMRT Councilor I will bring the voices of NMRT members and young library professionals like myself to the table. I have served NMRT for more than four years as a member, Committee Chair and Executive Board member. I understand the goals of our round table and am committed to representing our interests. As current Chair of the ALA Membership Committee, I’m focused on attracting and engaging members and bringing about changes that ALA members want and need from our association. As Outreach Manager at OCLC I have developed strong communication and diplomacy skills and have experience working with a diverse governing body. I believe these skills, along with my interests in membership, library advocacy and pathways for LIS students and young professionals will make me an excellent NMRT Councilor.

Question 2: What skills and experiences do you bring to the position?

In my current role as Outreach Manager for Member Relations at OCLC, I work with a diverse group of members from all library types and regions around the globe. These members make up the OCLC Global and Regional Councils who help govern the cooperative. I also work with emerging leaders from developing countries through the IFLA/OCLC Fellowship program and my team works closely with LIS schools across the country to increase awareness of OCLC and larger library trends. I understand how to effectively communicate our interests while still being respectful of other’s viewpoints. I believe the key to accomplishing our goals is by working together. This understanding and skill set will allow me to serve NMRT and be successful in this role.

Question 3: What do you hope to learn if elected?

If elected as NMRT Councilor I hope to learn how to most effectively bring the voices of NMRT members to the table while also learning from more experienced council members. If elected, I will work to ensure ALA sees NMRT as a driving force for opportunity, change and innovation for its members.

Question 4: If elected, what time management skills will you employ to ensure that your NMRT duties remain a priority?

NMRT is very much aligned with my passion for helping people and providing opportunities for early career librarians and LIS students to get involved and grow in their careers. That passion will ensure that my NMRT council work is a top priority. As a highly organized and action-oriented individual, I work hard to achieve my goals. I also know that no one can accomplish anything alone. By collaborating with my fellow councilmembers and drawing upon each person’s strengths, we’ll accomplish our goals and make a real impact for NMRT.

Candidate Arieh Ress

Question 1: Why are you interested in this position?

I have been fortunate to attend the ALAAC every year since graduating (though one year I attended mid-winter instead of annual) and I have benefited greatly by doing so. The conferences taught me a lot about library life and work, and I am in my current position because I had an on-the-spot interview in the job area of ALAAC2015. The networking has been invaluable, the panels, lectures and discussions have opened my horizons to new ideas, and it is always interesting to see what is going on at the ALA Membership Meeting which I’ve attended every year.

All this is to say that I have enjoyed participating in the conference and have benefited from ALA for years, and I would like to give back. While I have participated in the Membership Meetings, I would like to take my participation to the next level. Additionally, I know that such a massive conference can be daunting to newcomers, and I appreciate what NMRT does to welcome them and get them acclimated. I have both a good amount of experience with ALA, and a lot yet to learn, and it would make me proud to represent an organization that works to ensure new members stay members and get involved in the organization and its conferences!

Question 2: What skills and experiences do you bring to the position?

I have an eclectic work history, which is heavy on customer service. My undergraduate degree in philosophy was really a study in problem solving and critical thinking. I have grown up spending time in New York City, but also in rural areas across the country with and without electricity. My mother is an actress, a teacher and a storyteller and I have given presentations ranging from Model UN in high-school to past ALAAC’s and other conferences, as well as two different universities in China.

What I bring to the table is a history of interacting with wildly different types of people, in a wide range of settings, a thirst for discussion and debate, problem solving training and a history of public speaking and authorship. Bringing these skills to the table, I will do my best to be a voice for NMRT and its members while seeking equitable solutions to what issues may arise.

Question 3: What do you hope to learn if elected?

I am always looking to learn and grow, which is part of what keeps bringing me back to ALAACs. I would like to learn more about the processes that allow the organization to stay current, useful and fluid in a field that is undergoing exceptional levels of change at the moment. I am always seeking new ways to improve upon my own library – and my librarianship – which means staying on top of what the top organizations in the field are up to. How better to do that than to represent one of the largest round tables at the American Library Association?

Question 4: If elected, what time management skills will you employ to ensure that your NMRT duties remain a priority?

I would add a repeating check in notification at least once a week to remind me to make sure I am keeping on top of my duties, and schedule blocks in my calendar for when there are things I need to take care of. I am largely nocturnal so there are several hours a night in which I can work, distraction free, and with the Google Suite and Dropbox I can work virtually from almost anywhere.