Hello from your new NMRT President! I’m so excited to take the reins this year and continue the awesome work of Past President, Kate Kosturski! We have lots of great projects and programs already in the works for the coming year, and I can’t wait to begin working to make NMRT an even more vibrant and valuable organization for its members!
To give you some background about me: I’m currently the Performing Arts & Humanities Librarian at Cleveland State University in Cleveland, Ohio. I grew up in Appleton, WI and earned my library science degree at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2013. I spent my first year after graduation at a small, rural university library in Georgia, which was a wonderfully rewarding learning experience. I’ve been at Cleveland State for three years and absolutely love working with the students on my campus. The research I conduct when I’m not doing library instruction or meeting with students has focused on mentoring new librarians, LIS education, and information literacy instruction with an emphasis on critical thinking. I’ve also been fortunate to participate in some wonderful professional library organizations, including LIRT (Library Instruction Roundtable), ACRL (Association of College & Research Libraries), MLA (Music Library Association), and ALAO (Academic Library Association of Ohio). Because I’m really excited about giving early career librarians opportunities to develop professionally, in 2016 I founded the New-to-Libraries Network of Northeast Ohio, which serves library school students and new library professionals in Northeast Ohio. I’ve also been a member of NMRT for five years and involved in NMRT leadership for three. During that time, I have found NMRT members to be some of the most enthusiastic, innovative, and cooperative people I have ever met!
My presidential theme is “You Belong Here,” and I think this theme has become increasingly relevant with every passing week. NMRT is often the first experience new professionals have with ALA and the professional librarian community. It’s important that the initial NMRT experience emphasizes the values of equity, inclusion, and diversity in the work that we do and the projects we undertake. New professionals also occasionally feel the effects of impostor syndrome, and NMRT can be a vehicle for giving those new to the profession opportunities to build their skills and confidence. Stay tuned for an ALA pre-conference that aims to help you develop your professional identity and boost your confidence!
ALA can seem like a convoluted, impenetrable organization. I’m here to tell you that “you belong here,” and NMRT can serve as a place to begin your involvement in ALA. I hope you find it as welcoming and rewarding as I did when I first got involved.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me with your questions about, and ideas for, NMRT this year. I’m honored to work with you all, and I’m excited to get started!
