NMRT Nominating Committee: Candidate Interviews for 2023 Ballot

Posted on March 21, 2023 by nmrtsecretary

Peter Rolla, candidate for vice-president/president-elect:

What do you hope to accomplish as part of NMRT’s leadership?

My current experience chairing one of the NMRT committees has shown me that the round table does a lot of great work but that the Covid pandemic and its aftereffects significantly interrupted these services. A big priority of mine, then, will be to work with the board and the committee chairs to identify any committees or services that are still struggling and to get them back to pre-pandemic levels of service.

On a related note, ALA has been changing, even before the pandemic and shutdowns, but those unfortunate events have changed even more the ways that many of us, especially newer members of the library profession, interact with ALA. For example, many of us are still reluctant to travel and attend large events in person. Another goal of mine, then, will be to explore ways in which NMRT can meet, serve, and work with the new members of ALA in the ways that most benefit them and are most convenient and comfortable for them.

What do you enjoy most about your current position?

As a department head, one of the most rewarding aspects of my job is working with newer professionals. We have recently hired two paraprofessionals in my department, one currently attending library school and the other a recent graduate, and I have really enjoyed being adjacent to their entry into the profession. I am probably overly fond of sharing with them stories from my career and what I hope are insights I have learned along the way, and I love to see them gaining knowledge and learning new skills. They of course teach me a lot as well, since they bring new ideas from the changing profession into our library.

As a department head I am also proud of the ways in which I have been able to work with other managers and the library administration to make our workplace better for staff members. I have been a vocal advocate for continuing to have hybrid in-person and remote schedules coming out of the pandemic, and for using now common technologies like Zoom and Teams to allow greater participation in meetings and events. I have also worked with our administration to standardize our hiring practices for classified staff in ways that I hope reduce the possibility of bias.

What skills and/or experience would you bring to this position that would benefit NMRT and the profession overall?

I have successfully chaired many committees, subcommittees, and working groups throughout my career and I would bring that experience to my role on the NMRT board. As a group leader I have the skills to facilitate discussion and create a space for different viewpoints to be heard; for guiding the group to making decisions; and for managing tasks and holding members accountable. I would bring all of these skills to my role on the NMRT board.

In a more specific area that is relevant to NMRT’s work, I am very interested in the job search and hiring process, and I have extensive experience on both sides. I have worked at several libraries, and so have gone through a job search several times. On the hiring side I have hired many classified staff members and have served on several librarian search committees. I am passionate and knowledgeable about the hiring process, and I know that it is an important topic for many new professionals who are drawn to the NMRT, so I also feel I could use my skills and knowledge in this area to help members have more success and be more satisfied with their job searches.

(From the NMRT Membership Page) The New Members Round Table ( NMRT) provides a place for those members of the American Library Association (ALA) who are new to the library profession, new to ALA, or new to both. NMRT brings together people from all types and sizes of libraries and information centers, serving their diverse needs and interests as a gateway to the profession, pathfinder through ALA, and a stepping-stone to higher places. How would you support this in the role you applied for?

As I said above, I do have the unfortunate tendency to want to slip into the role of wise elder and pontificate to my younger colleagues about the profession, but I know that doing so is often unhelpful and shuts down other possible conversations. I also realize that the NMRT is for the younger and newer professionals and that my role will essentially be as a steward to keep the round table and what it represents thriving so that the newer professionals can take it over when they are ready. To fulfill this role as a steward, and to support the diverse members of the NMRT and their needs, I will always strive to allow spaces for conversations to be had and for different viewpoints to be aired, and then of course to always listen to and engage with the ideas brought forth.

What changes if any do you see need to happen for NMRT to make it more welcoming and inclusive to all?


This is difficult for me to answer because I have not faced the same barriers that others have faced and so I do not always know what would make the round table unwelcoming or less inclusive. Again, I think my task here would be to provide a space for all potential members to express their opinions, to seriously engage with what they say, and to pull from their ideas the concrete actions that the round table could take to reduce barriers for everyone.

What changes, if any, would you like to make for NMRT for the next year?

I have only recently become associated with the NMRT and so do not yet have an idea of what specific changes need to be made. I believe I am running for a multi-year position, so my main goal for the first year of the term would be to learn more about the round table and to discover what its strengths and weaknesses are. And then in later years to build upon the strengths and try to fix the weak spots.

Cara Calabrese, candidate for vice-president/president-elect:

What do you hope to accomplish as part of NMRT’s leadership?

To encourage members to be more involved as we can only grow with the support of our members, and work toward better pathways or connections with ALA divisions, so NMRT members can find their home within ALA.

What do you enjoy most about your current position?

I enjoy working with my colleagues and developing workflows. My colleagues are great. They are knowledgeable, supportive, and willing to partner on projects. It’s wonderful working with them, and I always learn something new. I’ve been able to develop several new workflows of the acquisitions of materials in collaboration with them. The workflows have all benefited from this collaboration as well. 

What skills and/or experience would you bring to this position that would benefit NMRT and the profession overall?

I have experience in leading committees at local, regional, and national levels. As well as experience in events and programming. I look for ways to support early career librarians as the support and guidance I received when I was in grad school and as a fresh librarian helped me to grow in the field and become successful in my positions.

(From the NMRT Membership Page) The New Members Round Table ( NMRT) provides a place for those members of the American Library Association (ALA) who are new to the library profession, new to ALA, or new to both. NMRT brings together people from all types and sizes of libraries and information centers, serving their diverse needs and interests as a gateway to the profession, pathfinder through ALA, and a stepping-stone to higher places. How would you support this in the role you applied for?

I believe NMRT is well positioned as a bridge between other ALA divisions and RTs and working to develop additional programming with these potential partners will allow increased opportunities for NMRT members to explore ALA and librarianship and make connections that can benefit their work and career path. I will work to ensure the NMRT committees have what they need to continue to do their work and are supported in their efforts. I will also do my best to bring pertinent information back to NMRT regarding governance of ALA so NMRT is well informed and is able to advocate for new, student, and early career members within ALA.

What changes if any do you see need to happen for NMRT to make it more welcoming and inclusive to all?

NMRT can continue to work on increasing awareness of ways members can be involved and offering virtual and free or low cost options for members to engage with NMRT and ALA or other partners we have as these options allow for increased reach and engagement. I would like to revisit the suggestion the mentoring committee had regarding training for the committee and mentors to better support BIPOC mentees. There may be internal ALA tools or contacts we can leverage to support this.

What changes, if any, would you like to make for NMRT for the next year?

I want to continue the work to streamline the committee structure so that it is more accessible and we aren’t duplicating functions and can give committees consistent work.

Allison Grubs, candidate for Secretary:

What do you hope to accomplish as part of NMRT’s leadership?

As part of NMRT’s leadership, I would use my professional network to bring attention to the need for a deeper pool of mentors for new professional librarians and those who are looking to become a librarian or to change their career pathway. Mentorship (both formal and informal) is critical for several reasons: career guidance, skill development, networking, and emotional support and encouragement during a challenging time in a person’s career. Experienced mentors can introduce new professionals to important contacts, and assist them in mastering the more technical methodology of our field.

What do you enjoy most about your current position?

The people I work with are the most enjoyable aspect about my current position as Director of Broward County Library (BCL). I work with a team of skilled professionals and our camaraderie and collaboration produce better outcomes for our organization. My team’s diversity in their backgrounds and lived experiences bring a wealth of knowledge and perspectives to BCL, which often leads to more creative solutions and innovative approaches to library services and programming. Finally, as Director, I have the privilege to develop relationships with our staff across the entire organization as well as throughout our community.

What skills and/or experience would you bring to this position that would benefit NMRT and the profession overall?

I reaped the benefits of various professional formal and informal mentorships, and it is so important to pay it forward. Mentorship of new and soon-to-be librarians (regardless of where they are in their career) is critical to moving our profession forward. I am at a place in my career where I can see the industry from a birds-eye level and can lean on my professional network to build up the next generation of librarians. I am someone who can learn from past mistakes and successes, I can balance my professional and personal opinions, and I can have the crucial conversations when necessary. All of this is critical in a time when attacks on our profession and toward ourselves personally are ramping up to an incredibly scary level. We need advocates to stand up and say, “enough,” and I am willing to do that.

(From the NMRT Membership Page) The New Members Round Table ( NMRT) provides a place for those members of the American Library Association (ALA) who are new to the library profession, new to ALA, or new to both. NMRT brings together people from all types and sizes of libraries and information centers, serving their diverse needs and interests as a gateway to the profession, pathfinder through ALA, and a stepping-stone to higher places. How would you support this in the role you applied for?

NMRT has come such a long way since I was a new professional, especially when it comes to making information accessible via ALA Connect. As a leader in NMRT, I would support its mission by drawing on my experience working at special and public libraries of all sizes as well as my experience working many different jobs within libraries to:

· provide a high level of advertisement for the services NMRT provides

· bring in similarly qualified individuals to participate on committees, either directly or indirectly via committee initiatives

· provide guidance and mentorship to new and existing members

· help them navigate the sometimes overwhelming number of resources and opportunities available through ALA.

What changes if any do you see need to happen for NMRT to make it more welcoming and inclusive to all?

NMRT is already making a positive difference in so many new professionals’ lives. I would like to see the language change to be more inclusive of those who are not yet professional librarians and/or those who are in the midst of a career change. They may not be a new librarian, but they could still be in need of professional guidance and encouragement.

What changes, if any, would you like to make for NMRT for the next year?

Mainly what I mentioned in the previous question, to be more welcoming to those who are not yet professional librarians but are solidly on track to reach that goal and to be more inclusive of those who are in the midst of a career change and need the encouragement of their colleagues to be as successful as possible.

Michelle Mitchell, candidate for Secretary:

What do you hope to accomplish as part of NMRT’s leadership?

NMRT as a whole opens up connections for new librarians and library school students; however, I do not know if everyone knows how to get involved or feel as though they are receiving the most from NMRT. I hope to find ways to make NMRT events and meeting notes more accessible to all members and receive feedback on how those can be improved upon. I strive to always represent NMRT members’ best interests upon introducing or revising any initiative through the NMRT Executive Board.

What do you enjoy most about your current position?

As the current Reference and Instruction Librarian at Syracuse University, I have liaison responsibilities to underrepresented student populations on campus, including international students. International student relations within libraries is highly underrated and I am enjoying building stronger connections with those students and their support services. Learning from international students and understanding how their needs differ from some domestic students is essential to my position in creating a more inclusive space for them in the libraries. I really enjoy allowing students to claim the library space as their own and finding ways for how I (and the libraries) can better support them.

What skills and/or experience would you bring to this position that would benefit NMRT and the profession overall?

Currently, I am the Chair of the NMRT Shirley Olofson Memorial Award Committee, and I have served on multiple NMRT committees in the past, including the Nominating Committee, President’s Program Planning Committee, and the ALA Annual Social Committee. I am also heavily involved in institutional committees at Syracuse University. I am comfortable with taking extensive minutes during meetings and strive to advocate for the best interests of the parties I am representing in those meetings.

(From the NMRT Membership Page) The New Members Round Table ( NMRT) provides a place for those members of the American Library Association (ALA) who are new to the library profession, new to ALA, or new to both. NMRT brings together people from all types and sizes of libraries and information centers, serving their diverse needs and interests as a gateway to the profession, pathfinder through ALA, and a stepping-stone to higher places. How would you support this in the role you applied for?

I would support the various needs of our members by representing their concerns through the Executive Board meetings and taking careful notes regarding those concerns. I think a great way to solicit concerns or kudos is by asking the general NMRT ALA Connect page for feedback as well as asking NMRT committees if they have something to bring up at the meeting that would benefit all members. I believe the main way to appropriately serve all of our members appropriately is by making sure their voices are included in Executive Board meetings.

What changes if any do you see need to happen for NMRT to make it more welcoming and inclusive to all?

I believe NMRT needs to find ways to be in connection with their broader member base outside of the committees. Personally, I have only ever been connected with NMRT through serving on committees and I feel as though there should be other opportunities for NMRT members to connect with services NMRT offers regardless of their availability to be a committee member. Hopefully we can find additional ways to engage all members and create more of a community.

What changes, if any, would you like to make for NMRT for the next year?

Similar to the last question, I would like to see NMRT find various ways to engage and include more members into their activities, even if that means creating more opportunities for folks to get involved. I am hoping that through listening to our members and their experiences, we can develop new programs to offer that will benefit someone regardless of being right out of graduate school or 7 years into librarianship.

Lauren Puzier, candidate for Member Services Director:

What do you hope to accomplish as part of NMRT’s leadership?

As an early-career library professional, I found that attending conferences, meeting scholars and authors, and visiting art and book fairs are fantastic ways to get involved and learn new things with others. I am eager to share ideas on encouraging more new members to attend and participate in the conference and association. It’s amazing how much impact we can have when we work together to promote our profession and support our colleagues. I want to help make sure our current members get the most out of their membership, and will use my time with the leadership team to provide that support.

What do you enjoy most about your current position?

I am currently the User Experience Librarian at UAlbany. I really enjoy the aspect collaboration plays in my position. My role extends across all areas of the library. I love to team up with colleagues from other departments and our students to find ways to make everyone’s experience with us better.

What skills and/or experience would you bring to this position that would benefit NMRT and the profession overall?

I have leadership experience in supporting and engaging emerging professionals, specifically in the New Members Round Table (NMRT). This includes leading the Mentoring Committee and Professional Development Grants Committee within NMRT, as well as serving as a leader in the Membership Committees of ENY/ACRL and ACRL/Arts. My experience with the College Art Association (CAA) on the Student and Emerging Professionals Committee will also be of value, as I organized numerous professional development opportunities for students, including workshops, lunch-and-learn sessions, and mock interviews. Supporting emerging professionals is both much-needed and fulfilling work.

(From the NMRT Membership Page) The New Members Round Table ( NMRT) provides a place for those members of the American Library Association (ALA) who are new to the library profession, new to ALA, or new to both. NMRT brings together people from all types and sizes of libraries and information centers, serving their diverse needs and interests as a gateway to the profession, pathfinder through ALA, and a stepping-stone to higher places. How would you support this in the role you applied for?

I was actually a member for a few years before discovering some of the amazing programs that NMRT offers! I think a focus on promoting valuable NMRT programs such as resume reviews, mentoring, and publication opportunities in Footnotes would go a long way. I imagine many of our own members and would-be members would widely benefit from learning more about our services and taking advantage of them to grow their careers.  

What changes if any do you see need to happen for NMRT to make it more welcoming and inclusive to all?

I think there is always room for improvement. Polling our current members to understand their expectations and desires is one way to approach this. 

What changes, if any, would you like to make for NMRT for the next year?

If elected, it will be my first time participating on the leadership team, so I would like to get familiar with our processes and reach. I often look to see how we can streamline and improve workflow for committees and leaders to be more effective in our roles.

Laura Birkenhauer, candidate for Member Services Director:

What do you hope to accomplish as part of NMRT’s leadership?

I hope to continue to support members’ professional development on a larger scale. As the Chair of the NMRT Online Discussion Forum Committee for nearly five years, I have had the opportunity to engage NMRT members around topics relevant to the profession. I view the role of Member Services Director as an avenue to continuing this work.

What do you enjoy most about your current position?

I am the Student Success Librarian for Campus Engagement at the Miami University Libraries. The position leads and develops the Libraries’ campus engagement and student success programs, with a focus on underserved student populations. The position was newly created in 2018 when I was hired into the role. I have most enjoyed the opportunity to build the position from the ground up, establishing relationships with campus partners, setting goals and priorities, and getting creative in designing new programs and initiatives.

What skills and/or experience would you bring to this position that would benefit NMRT and the profession overall?

Strengths that I bring to this position include focus, follow through, and an aptitude for problem solving and creating consensus.

I have familiarity with NMRT, having served as the Chair of the NMRT Online Discussion Forum Committee and as a member on other NMRT committees. I am also currently acting in another, similarly membership-focused role after being elected last year as the Membership Chair of the Academic Library Association of Ohio.

(From the NMRT Membership Page) The New Members Round Table ( NMRT) provides a place for those members of the American Library Association (ALA) who are new to the library profession, new to ALA, or new to both. NMRT brings together people from all types and sizes of libraries and information centers, serving their diverse needs and interests as a gateway to the profession, pathfinder through ALA, and a stepping-stone to higher places. How would you support this in the role you applied for?

I will seek to increase member engagement in NMRT to ensure members are benefiting from the rich opportunities provided by NMRT and ALA.

What changes if any do you see need to happen for NMRT to make it more welcoming and inclusive to all?

I would like to create more opportunities to listen to NMRT members’ needs in order to identify paths to a more welcoming and inclusive NMRT. My experience with NMRT and ALA is not the same as others’ experiences. As Member Services Director, my role should be to break down barriers and empower NMRT members — and that starts with hearing from them.

What changes, if any, would you like to make for NMRT for the next year?

I have interest in amplifying conversations around occupational burnout, as I feel strongly that early career professionals can benefit from developing an awareness around and preventative approach to combating chronic workplace stress. However, in line with the previous question, I would like changes to be led by the expressed needs of NMRT members.

Elaine Walker, candidate for Leadership Development Director:

What do you hope to accomplish as part of NMRT’s leadership? 

As part of NMRT’s leadership, I hope to maintain a safe and supportive environment that fosters growth and professionalism in librarianship through accomplishing the goals of the committees and connecting with other librarians along the way.  

What do you enjoy most about your current position? 

As a Scholarly Communications Librarian, I love the outreach part of my job and being able to do behind the scenes work in managing submissions to our institutional repository and improving accessibility and discovery to our university’s research. I have really enjoyed meeting and connecting with faculty across all disciplines on campus to raise awareness for open access scholarly publishing options and supporting the shift to open research.  

What skills and/or experience would you bring to this position that would benefit NMRT and the profession overall? 

I have worked in a wide range of library institutions from archives and historical societies to academic and public libraries, and a couple of special libraries in between! I hope that my combination of professional and life experiences brings a different approach to contributing ideas and solutions that embrace and support the ever-changing climate of our profession. 

The New Members Round Table ( NMRT) provides a place for those members of the American Library Association (ALA) who are new to the library profession, new to ALA, or new to both. NMRT brings together people from all types and sizes of libraries and information centers, serving their diverse needs and interests as a gateway to the profession, pathfinder through ALA, and a stepping-stone to higher places. How would you support this in the role you applied for?

 I would look for opportunities to engage more with the members to identify needs across the areas of leadership and facilitate targeted programming and professional development opportunities.  

What changes if any do you see need to happen for NMRT to make it more welcoming and inclusive to all? 

I think there are opportunities for improvement in connecting members with each other, both virtually and physically, and helping people find their community. 

What changes, if any, would you like to make for NMRT for the next year? 

Streamlining the communication and networking among members.

Posted in NMRT Elections | Leave a comment

Interview with Sonnet Ireland, Former Louisiana Library Association (LLA) President and Current Director for the Washington Parish Library

Posted on March 6, 2023 by nmrtsecretary

Within the last couple years, a pervasive new threat to libraries has been infiltrating communities across America. Coordinated book challenge movements have been putting pressure on librarians and politicians to change the way school and public library materials are selected. While these groups often say that they support removing or restricting certain books because they may be harmful to children, many of the titles that have been challenged are about LGBTQ people or people of color. In Louisiana, the Attorney General, Jeff Landry, recently announced efforts to create a bill in collaboration with two Louisiana state legislators that may change the way librarians must select materials. Several libraries across the state have also faced local organized efforts to change library policies. Many of those same libraries have had community members rise up to support the library.

For this post, we sat down with former Louisiana Library Association (LLA) President and current Director for the Washington Parish Library, Sonnet Ireland, to discuss this trend. Ireland has been outspoken about book challenges and the chilling effect they may have on the freedom to read in the state of Louisiana. In this interview, Ireland offers words of advice for new librarians and ideas on how librarians and library leaders can respond to efforts to challenge materials

Book challenges have been happening across the country. Here in Louisiana, we are seeing a few different groups working in their communities and even across the state to challenge books and even change the law to fit their goals. Can you tell us about your experiences with book challenges in your library or community?

I haven’t had to deal with any book challenges at my library where I work, but in St. Tammany Parish, where I live, there have been a lot of challenges and efforts to defund the library under the guise of protecting children. I’m very lucky that I can be vocal about what’s going on because I’m no longer working for that system. I can respond to the challenges in a way that someone working for the library can’t because I’m answering back as a resident of the parish. As a library professional, I can share my expertise on how the library works and how books are selected.

It’s hard, but it’s really better if the library staff step back and let the community respond. Even when I respond as a resident people can say “oh, she’s one of those librarians.” It’s better if the response comes from regular people in the community. If I were still working for the St. Tammany Parish Library, I wouldn’t be able to answer back without worrying about threats to my safety or saying something that would get the library into more trouble. I feel bad for staff who want to respond but can’t. I also wrote letters to every political leader in every town—city council members, parish council members, state representatives, senators, and the governor.

As a former LLA president, have you heard from other libraries in Louisiana that are experiencing book challenges?

I’ve heard from the Lafayette Public Library when it was going on there. Because I’m a former LLA president, I periodically get contacted about it through social media. When I was LLA president, I would get tagged on Twitter when a book challenge was happening. Even as president, I didn’t have a lot of power. There was one instance in Livingston Parish when they had a board member trying to get money taken from the library’s savings. This was back in either 2020 or 2021. I was able to call and let him know that the money for technology. The Internet of 2002 is different from the Internet of 2022. The library needed that money for future technology upgrades. Also, the library isn’t just about books. People come to the library for help with FEMA forms, SNAP, and other things. Then book challenges started happening in Livingston from a group that was based in Lafayette. I do what I can. As past president, I can call and talk to people. I can explain to people how the library works based on what I know. I do it unofficially and not as part of LLA so I can’t get them in trouble.

What effect do you think the current wave of book challenges will have on librarianship as a profession? Do you see this as a momentary challenge or do you think there will be future repercussions?

I think it will be like a pendulum and things will die down again. We saw a lot of this in the 80s with the satanic scare. Hopefully, things will swing back to something reasonable. The groups trying to challenge books at the St. Tammany Parish Library are getting push back so they’re beginning to lose energy. Some were hot and heavy in the beginning because of misinformation about what the library was doing but have now lost interest because they’ve learned more about how the library operates.  

If someone said something like kids can walk out of the library with a penthouse magazine, you’d say “no, that’s not how the library works.” You’d tell them that libraries don’t collect that kind of material, how they have professional librarians that select materials, and that many of the items in the collection are suggested by the community. You’d tell them that for the items that are controversial, they are in the adult section and that a child would need a parent’s permission to check them out. You could also tell them that kids are not going to flip through 300 pages of text for a picture when they have a phone and the Internet.

The pushback has to come from the community not ALA. There’s only so much you can do as a librarian because they can say you’re one of them. You need ordinary people saying this isn’t right, this isn’t fair, this isn’t happening. Rapides Parish had a similar stunt a couple months back, and the LGBTQ community came out to protest. A new board member tried to change the collection policy and a newspaper found out. They are now looking to get rid of the board member and remove the police juror who appointed him.

This can be a very challenging time for new librarians or for those interested in librarianship as a career but are concerned about what’s happening in libraries right now. What advice would you give to someone looking to enter the profession at this time?

You have to be passionate about it. It’s a very exciting time to be a librarian. It’s a very worrisome time to be a librarian. We’re so important. I see this as something similar to what happened to journalists back in 2015/2016. To me, this is our time. It’s important to have librarians right now because who’s going to stand up against this? Who has the expertise? Who’s going to help people identify credible sources to counter the misinformation that’s being spread about libraries? We have to identify the misinformation and stand up for people’s right to read. These things come and go. If you want to be a librarian, you have to believe in the profession and be passionate. Otherwise, you’ll burn out quickly. You may still burn out even if you’re passionate.

You also need to keep calm and be neutral about it. I pride myself that patrons can’t figure out my politics most of the time. You should try not to let people get to you or divulge your personal feelings. Having that boundary keeps you safe. I’ve gotten bumper stickers for candidates for elections before but never used them because I didn’t want someone coming up to my car at night. You can stand up for what you believe while maintaining your safety.

On a similar note, do you have any advice for a new library leader? Someone who is managing their first branch, school library, department, or even library system? How can library leaders make an impact? What would you like to see more library leaders do?

The biggest impact a leader can have is to protect staff as much as possible. Staff may ask why is admin doing this or making that decision. You can talk to your staff about it. As a leader, there are so many laws we must adhere to. Like, a patron may legally have the right to record in a library. You can talk to your staff and say “it’s going to upset you and you’ll want to call the police, but don’t do it.” You can let staff take their nametags off if they’re uncomfortable or go into a staff only area. If a patron complains about someone recording then you can do more like telling that person they can’t record patrons and children. You can’t stop it, but you can keep your staff safe.

It’s easy to think this isn’t going to happen, but then you see it nearby and think “oh, I should have a plan.” Make sure your policies and procedures are up to date. Like, if I have to form a challenge committee, I can’t hide who is on the committee, but if I have the final word then I can turn the attention to me. Do your best to protect your staff.

Sonnet, our time is at an end. Is there anything else you would like to say on this topic that we haven’t covered so far? Any last words of wisdom?

I’m currently working on a presentation or paper on advocacy for libraries for stuff like this. I’m going to use Dungeons and Dragons to talk about how you can help and what you can do. Everyone thinks you have to stand up and give a name and talk, but there are things you can do based on your strengths. I’m great at talking off the cuff. Someone else might write things. You could also work to highlight the negative side of things. For example, you could try to challenge books or complain about books they wouldn’t want removed like children’s Bible stories. You could flood their Facebook accounts with comments or try spoofing by setting up two or three Facebook accounts so it’s harder to pull up their page.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

NMRT Member of the Month Spotlight – Taylor Brooks

Posted on February 27, 2023 by nmrtsecretary

Taylor Brooks is the 2023 ALA Emerging Leader for NMRT!

Email: taylor.brooks@spl.org

Institution: Seattle Public Library

Job Title: African American Collection and Community Engagement Librarian

Brief Job Description: The scope includes the management of the African American Collection, including maintenance and amplification (developing new ways of thinking about the collection). The collection has over 10k items. Additionally, I have typical adult services tasks, including development for the adult fiction and non-fiction collection, information and reference work, and any professional development work expected of an early career librarian. Lastly, my job also involves community engagement. This is largely being an active member in the community (showing up at events and learning more about the history and connections in the Central District), developing and enriching community partnerships, and serving as a connector between community members and the organizations that serve them.

What got you interested in libraries?

I was drawn to librarianship through my desire to engage with my community. The idea of “engagement” has transformed over the years for me, at first it manifested as a desire to create a great deal of public programming, then as I moved into the academic libraries it was to teach and create helpful resources for students, and now in my current role I think engagement is more advocating and preserving narratives and histories. Libraries can do it all and being a librarian can change as you go on in your career.

What is one of your favorite things about NMRT?

The patience and constant support that NMRT has for their members. As librarians, we all know a lot about juggling a multitude of tasks every day. I know in my position that I find it hard to carve out time to do anything extra, in fact, I often end up losing things through the constant shuffle of daily tasks. However, NMRT constantly finds ways to support librarians regardless of their workload and time in the profession. The support at conferences and even just the consistency of outreach about their services are impressive for a round table. I never feel pressured to participate or that if I reach out, I will be ignored. I am so happy to be a member and would encourage others to join as well!

Do you have any advice for other new librarians?

I would say that it is so important to find a mentor or peer mentor in this field. I think having the proper guidance on projects or job opportunities is crucial. I would not be in the position that I am in without the mentors I met along the way, especially Twanna Hodge. I know finding the right mentor can be difficult. NMRT has a mentorship program, and I would recommend people consider participating. However, even taking a look around you and seeing which colleagues, supervisors, or community members would serve as a good mentor is a great start.

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2023 Shirley Olofson Memorial Award Winner Announced

Posted on February 27, 2023 by nmrtsecretary

The New Members Round Table’s (NMRT) Shirley Olofson Memorial Award Committee is pleased to announce Leah Choi as the 2023 recipient of the 2023 Olofson Award.

Leah Choi (she/her) is currently a MLIS student at San Jose State University in San Jose, California. She also holds a BFA in Photography and a minor in International Studies from University of Washington, Seattle, and is a graduate of the Baking and Pastry Certificate program at The Culinary Institute of America. Leah is currently a Digital Asset Coordinator with The Huntington Library in San Marino, CA. In addition to being a member of the American Library Association, Leah is a member of the California Library Association, ALA’s New Members Round Table, and Social Responsibilities Round Table. She is dedicated to the work of equity, diversity, and inclusion and has a strong passion to create inclusive and equitable community-based services, focusing on the needs of marginalized or vulnerable groups.

The Shirley Olofson Memorial Award is presented annually in honor of Shirley Olofson, a well-respected former NMRT President, who died during her term in office. The award, which is intended to help defray costs to attend the ALA Annual Conference, will be presented in the form of a check for $1,000.00 during the 2023 Annual Conference in Chicago, IL. Congrats, Leah!

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Librarians to Receive up to $1,000 for Conference-Related Expenses

Posted on January 17, 2023 by nmrtsecretary

The American Library Association (ALA) and EBSCO Information Services (EBSCO) have partnered to offer nine scholarships to librarians who are looking to attend the 2023 ALA Annual Conference & Exhibition.

This year’s conference will take place from June 22 – 27 in Chicago, IL. These scholarships will allow librarians to take advantage of the conference’s professional development, educational and networking opportunities. Candidates must be an ALA member and submit an essay that answers the following question: “How will attending the ALA Conference contribute to my professional development?”

Each scholarship will provide up to $1,000 to defray the cost of conference registration, travel and expenses. The scholarship recipients will be honored by EBSCO and ALA representatives during the conference at a breakfast hosted by EBSCO.

The application deadline is February 1, 2023, and entries will be evaluated by a jury designated by ALA. 

To apply or learn more about the scholarship, visit: https://www.ala.org/awardsgrants/awards/38/apply

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Learn about ALA’s LibLearnX

Posted on December 12, 2022 by nmrtsecretary

By Tristan Draper, DeKalb Public Library

As a new library employee, it is easy to feel overwhelmed by conferences and the logistics involved in attending a conference. This blog post will cover basic information about LibLearnX (LLX) so you can feel more confident when attending LLX!

What is LibLearnX?

LibLearnX stands for The Library Learning Experience. It is a collaborative learning experience that sparks conversation and new ideas within the library profession and provides networking opportunities for library professionals. This year LibLearnX will be from January 27- 30, 2023 in New Orleans at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. LibLearnX also offers the LLX Digital Experience, a virtual option with live and on-demand sessions that are available through February 28, 2023. General information about the conference can be found here: Link to LibLearnX site.

                Attendees can expect to learn, network, and celebrate. LibLearnX offers a variety of active learning experiences. Some of these experiences are: Accelerators, discussions of new and innovative ideas; the Ideas Xchange, peer conversations about trending library topics; ShopTalks, short presentations offering practical tips; and Learning Labs, action-based instruction and collaborative learning sessions aimed at addressing current issues. The full education session schedule can be found at the following link: Link to education sessions. Attendees can network by chatting with exhibitors in the LLX Marketplace, participating in interactive sessions, and attending social activities and networking breaks. Finally, celebrate colleagues, authors, books, and the library community at several awards ceremonies throughout the weekend.

Why should new ALA members attend LLX?

New library employees will benefit from attending LibLearnX because it offers excellent professional development opportunities for librarians at all career levels in a more intimate conference setting. New members of ALA can collaborate with their peers and discover solutions to challenges they face. Since LLX is highly interactive, new members will be able to expand their network in hands on learning sessions and during networking sessions.

Hotel and Travel Information

One of the greatest sources of stress surrounding conferences is the cost of travel and attendance. The ALA offers several discounts for attendees. Libraries can register four staff members and receive one complimentary registration. LIS Schools can register a group of seven students and/or faculty and receive three complimentary registrations. More information on registration costs and discounts can be found at the following link: Link to registration information. Information about hotels and transportations can be found here: Link to hotel information, Link to transportation information.

Conference Attendance Tips

                Donna Hunter, Conference Marketing Specialist at the American Library Association, offers these tips to those who have not attended a conference before.

  1. Participants who take advantage of meeting others and building relationships will be successful in expanding their networks to include peer, mentor, and mentee relationships.
  2. When planning which sessions to attend, identify the sessions that will help you and your library the most, as well as sessions that speak to the future of libraries.
  3. While attending the conference, think about what information your team at home can most benefit from and plan to bring that information back to the library.
  4. Plan to report back to your manager with information on the sessions that excited you and that will benefit your career objectives or your library’s goals.
  5. Make sure to check out the inspiring stories on the main stage and in the LLX Studio.
  6. Meet with exhibitors in the LLX Marketplace to discuss your library’s needs.

We hope these tips and the above information help you have a safe, informative, and fun conference experience at LLX! Questions about LLX can be directed to the following link: Link to conference contact information.

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A New Year with the New Members Round Table

Posted on November 28, 2022 by nmrtsecretary

By Mary Kamela, University at Buffalo

As the new year approaches, many of us have begun to consider what positive changes we can make in 2023. Whether you’re a regular resolution-maker in your daily life or someone who is newly interested in setting career goals, here are a few suggestions on how you can utilize some classic resolutions to make the most of your new ALA membership.

Travel More

Let’s start with a fun one – who doesn’t want to promise themself that the coming year will be full of fun trips to new locations? ALA, along with some of its 8 divisions, have options for those wanting to travel for conferences in 2023:

*LibLearnX and ARCL 2023 are both also offering a virtual attendance option; please check back later for ALA Annual and AASL 2023 to see what options are available.

Be More Social

ALA provides members many outlets for networking, connecting, and socializing. If you haven’t taken advantage of these yet, 2023 is your time!

  • ALA Connect – ALA Connect is a digital space where you can ask questions, make connections, and share your experience. Take some time to browse the different communities to find ones that you find interesting and consider subscribing to digests of the groups that are most relevant to you. Log in to ALA Connect with the same credentials you use for ALA.org – it’s that easy!
  • Join NMRT– New to librarianship, ALA membership, or both? The New Members Round Table is a great starting point to help you navigate ALA and connect with others who are doing the same. From there, consider joining a committee, subscribing to NMRT Notes, or following NMRT on social media.
  • Volunteer for a Committee – Looking to expand your network? Want to learn more about an ALA division, section, or round table? Seek out volunteer opportunities! You may see these advertised on ALA Connect, posted on social media, or on ALA.org. Feel free to reach out to organizers for a description of duties, time commitment, and expectations before applying.

Learn a New Skill

Those looking to build their resume of skills and abilities in the new have tons of options for online professional development. Consider:

  • ALA eLearning– A repository of webinars, courses, and other eLearning materials for all library professionals. Consider this a one stop shop for your training needs. You can search by category, cost, topic, ALA Division, and more!
  • Library Juice Academy– Library Juice Academy is an online academy that focuses on skill-building PD and continuing education for librarians and information professionals of all kinds.

Save Money

Excited about the possibilities that 2023 holds but worrying about costs? There are many money-saving and scholarship options to look out for.

Read More

Whether you would like to read more for fun, for learning, for activism, or another reason entirely, ALA and its divisions have numerous curated lists to help you achieve your reading goals.

Whatever goals or resolutions you set, NMRT wishes you a happy new year filled with success and professional growth!

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Building Your Network

Posted on November 28, 2022 by nmrtsecretary

By Laura Birkenhauer

Social mixers and elevator speeches may be where your mind goes when you think about networking. And, if you’re attending a professional conference or networking opportunity, it never hurts to brush up on the traditional networking tips: bring your business cards and prepare to schmooze by brainstorming engaging questions, perfecting your pitch, and researching registered attendees (Sweeney, 2014). But, there are many ways to connect with others in libraries that fall outside of the conventional wisdom.

The NMRT Online Discussion Forum Committee asked NMRT members to share creative strategies for forming meaningful connections within the LIS community and networking tips for those brand new to libraries (Birkenhauer, 2022). Members shared the value of volunteer work for networking and also suggested the use of social media as an alternative to in-person networking opportunities.

Volunteer

Volunteering your time and participating in committee work is a great way to get started in collaborating with library colleagues across the country and meeting others in the profession outside of your organization.

If you’re unsure where to start when approaching networking at large conferences or other professional events, joining a committee may give you a concrete starting point. “[A]s a committee member I automatically had purpose and a place to be.” (Brickey-Jones, 2022). For example, ALA committees and discussion groups often host meetings at the ALA Annual Conference, which you can join as a member. Violà, a networking opportunity. 

Serving on committees relevant to your job duties will help you find professionals in similar positions or with related interests. Keep in mind that some committees lend themselves to networking more than others, depending on factors such as committee size, charge, and regularity and modality of meetings. While some groups may meet exclusively in-person, some committees’ activities take place primarily online, on Zoom, via email, through ALA Connect, and the like.

If a committee is too large to facilitate significant connections, seek subcommittee work. Serving on a smaller subcommittee often allows for the opportunity to get to know a few familiar faces. Additionally, starting small with volunteer work for a regional organization may be a less overwhelming approach to networking, as state and regional groups attract a fraction of the memberships of national and international organizations.

Social Media

While a variety of social networking platforms offer virtual networking opportunities, Twitter is a favorite for LIS professionals. A 2016 study focused on #medlibs found that Twitter served as a space for medical librarians to network with colleagues (Ford and Tolmie, 2016). A recent article in Medical Reference Services Quarterly presented case reports of health sciences librarians’ use of Twitter, maintaining that use of the social media platform can professionally benefit librarians (Danquah et al., 2022).

If you’re hesitant to jump immediately into online networking, Twitter allows for participation as well as observation. Users can follow others in the field, monitor hashtags like #librarytwitter, participate (or lurk) in Twitter chats like #critlib, and keep an eye on trending topics.

Twitter also allows for the sharing of knowledge gained from professional development opportunities. “I have found that Twitter is particularly valuable for not only networking, but just learning about opportunities […] I’ve learned about two different conferences from just being in the LIS twitter space.” (Zerrenner, 2022). Conferences often assign an official hashtag, which allows users to monitor tweets with that hashtag for conference updates. Conference attendees might tweet about breakout sessions attended, new insights gained, or other conference happenings, opening up the opportunity for Twitter users to interact with their tweets by replying, retweeting or liking.

After the October 2022 acquisition of Twitter by Elon Musk, many are uncertain about the future of the company (Fung, 2022) and, by extension, the future of Library Twitter. Potential alternatives include Discord, Reddit and Mastodon, a decentralized platform featuring LIS-related servers such as Glammr.us and scholar.social. For those looking to join Mastodon, Twitodon allows users to identify and follow those you’re connected with on Twitter on Mastodon.

Keep in mind that ALA Connect and listservs also function in much the same way as our favorite social media sites, in that they connect people with similar interests. Conversations with others in the LIS community, like those hosted by the NMRT Online Discussion Forum on ALA Connect, are happening online in these spaces. Join the discussion!

While some of the above suggestions relate to conference attendance, neither networking approach necessitates in-person participation, funding, or travel. Are there other accessible approaches to building a network that you’d like to recommend to those new to the field? Leave a reply below.

References

Birkenhauer, L. (2022, October 3). Online Discussion Forum October 2022 Topic: Building Your Network. Message posted to https://connect.ala.org/nmrt/communities/community-home/

Brickey-Jones, M. (2022, October 5). Re: Online Discussion Forum October 2022 Topic: Building Your Network. Message posted to https://connect.ala.org/nmrt/communities/community-home/

Ford, C. & Tolmie, D. (2016) Breaking the limits of time and space: How Twitter is helping #medlibs collaborate and communicate. A descriptive study. Journal of Hospital Librarianship, 16(2), 116-131. https://doi.org/10.1080/15323269.2016.1150737

Fung, B. (2022, November 11). A day of chaos brings Twitter closer to the brink. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/11/tech/twitter-chaos-musk/index.html

LaVentra, E., Danquah, M. B. B., Lopez, B., Justice, A., Sikora, L., Grooten, T. M., Haygood, L. (2022). Trends in… Adoption of Twitter by health sciences librarians. Medical Reference Services Quarterly, 41(4), 397-407.

OpenClipart. (2021). New logo for Mastodon Social [Online image]. Free SVG.https://freesvg.org/mastodon

Sweeney, P. (2014, December 1). Schmoozing for beginners. Library Journal, 139(20), 1.

Zerrenner, E. (2022, October 4). Re: Online Discussion Forum October 2022 Topic: Building Your Network. Message posted to https://connect.ala.org/nmrt/communities/community-home/

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CALL FOR APPLICATIONS now until December 28th: The NMRT Professional Development Grant Award!

Posted on November 15, 2022 by nmrtsecretary

Would you like to attend this year’s ALA conference, but don’t have the means to do so? Apply for the NMRT Professional Development Grant award by December 28th, 2022.

The award offers $1,000 to one person to offset costs and expenses to attend this year’s Annual Conference in Chicago, IL on June 22-27, 2023. You must be a current ALA and NMRT member to apply. To join, visit the ALA website and follow the “Join ALA” link. To apply, please visit https://www.ala.org/rt/nmrt/initiatives/applyforfunds/applyfunds. Applicants will be notified in February.

For questions, please contact the chair of the NMRT Professional Development Grant Committee, Julie Gabb at jamygabb@gmail.com.

Posted in NMRT Awards, Professional Development Attendance Award | Leave a comment

What Hooked Me on a Career in Libraries: Some Stories Shared

Posted on October 31, 2022 by nmrtsecretary

Caroline Akervik, Eau Claire Area School District, Eau Claire, Wisconsin

Librarians tend to be an eclectic bunch who enter the field having made forays into others. However, there does tend to be a shared thread in many librarian origin stories. That is, there is generally a person or library that hooked the future librarian on the career path. For me, that person was a school aide who also happened to be a nun. When I was in fourth grade, Sister Dorothy welcomed our class into the library once a week. Once there, she read to us. I remember she read the entirety of C.S. Lewis’s The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. At that point, I became a reader. Though we moved several times throughout my childhood and I attended schools in different states, I do have fond memories of the libraries of many of those schools, of curling up in a chair or even on the floor and reading a book. I was well and truly hooked. Decades later, I became a school librarian, and I continue to serve as a school district library coordinator.

I asked other librarians to share what inspired them to enter the field. Three unique stories that  I received are below. May they inspire and motivate you in our shared craft.

Jessica Gliniecki, Putnam Heights Elementary, Eau Claire, Wisconsin

When I was growing up, my mom would take me to the public library once a week. The ladies that worked there always greeted me by name, were friendly, and they loved hearing me talk about my favorite books. When I got to middle school, I became a library helper and found out that I loved spending time in the library helping people. In high school, I joined the library club and became president. I took on a role where I created displays, organized contests, and helped to raise funds for literacy programs. It’s easy to say that libraries were always a part of my life.

I always thought I wanted to be a teacher and work with kids when I grew up. I remember the day my high school librarian told me that I could go to college to be a librarian. I knew that this was my passion and what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. If it wasn’t for all the amazing, friendly, and dedicated library staff I spent time within my youth, I would not have gotten into the field. I hope to make an impact someday on one of my students just like the librarians of my childhood did. 

Danielle Brannan, Mukwonago High School, Mukwonago, Wisconsin

I’ve always been a reader. I used to read to get out of doing chores. As an undergraduate student, I studied English and Education and planned to eventually become a college English professor who wore cardigans with elbow patches. I worked my way through college at three different bookstores (college is expensive), and I both loved it and was good at it. I had a knack for recommending books to folks. 

Eventually, I graduated and needed a job. When no one wanted to hire me as a teacher (because there wasn’t a teaching shortage and I didn’t have any experience), I got a job at a college bookstore in Milwaukee. I told a new coworker my story and he said, “Why aren’t you a school librarian?” That career had honestly never occurred to me before that moment.

I looked into it and discovered I lived minutes away from a stellar library school (UW Milwaukee SOIS). It was fate! I enrolled and as I sat in my first class, I felt like a light was shining down on me because I was where I belonged. Everything about the program felt right. I was destined to become a librarian and now I’ve been working in my dream career for thirteen years, AND I can totally rock a cardigan with elbow patches! 

Josh Rageth, Horning MS, Banting ES, Heyer ES, Summit View ES, Waukesha School District, Waukesha, Wisconsin

For the last nine years, I was a dual language bilingual teacher in 1st and 4th grade. This last summer we had two librarian positions open in our district, and the LMS from my school encouraged me to think about applying because in a district with 10 bilingual schools, we had no one in the library, LMS or aide, who was bilingual. I chose to become a librarian for my district because it would allow me to impact my entire district by providing opportunities to advocate for the bilingual program, evaluate Spanish resources, and provide library programming in 2 languages. Now, I work in 4 buildings, and I love having students see, for the first time, someone in the library who speaks their language! Most have also never seen a man in the library either.

Our paths to our libraries are different and unique. Our work is rewarding and demanding. And, yet reflecting on the why we entered the field does help one persevere and handle the day-to-day challenges of the library life.

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