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Office of the Governor: State Librarian Qualities
January 6, 2009
John Cruz, Appointments Secretary
Office of the Governor
State Capitol
Attention: Deputy Appointments Secretary Monica Rea
Dear Mr. Cruz.
The California Library Association, established in 1895, represents over 3,400 Libraries and professionals in California who are helping to keep Libraries as vibrant and relevant community hubs for go to learning, innovation, literacy and information. We have worked closely over the years with the State Librarian to insure that libraries in California can continue to be where imagination is unbounded while fueled with infinite resources and information.
The California Library Association would first like to thank you for having appointed Susan Hildreth as the State Librarian of California. She has been a tremendous library leader. California has truly benefited from her passion and vision, and she will be missed when she moves to her new position as the City Librarian of Seattle.
As you consider the next appointment for the State Librarian of California, we would like to share with you a few important qualities for this very important library leadership position.
- Builder. The State Librarian is not only responsible for the California State Library, but supporting the development of California libraries statewide. This position requires a person who can articulate a vision clearly, is credible and bring communities together to build it.
- Future Tense Thinker. This position requires a person who believes that the best way to predict the future is to be a part of its creation. This person must be knowledgeable and able to understand the trends and forces that are shaping the future of libraries and an ability to articulate and implement proactive solutions for serving the changing information needs of the citizens of California.
- Communicator. The State Librarian needs to be able to communicate and translate clearly ideas and information among many stakeholders. It is vital that this person can take complex systems and concepts and break them down to create common understanding.
- Passionate. The State Librarian needs to exude passion for supporting communities through libraries, which are important to a thriving democracy because they provide access to information, ideas, and dreams.
- Collaborator. The State Librarian must have experience in forging partnership with private and public sector decision makers at the state and local levels.
You may be aware that California has been selected as one of seven pilot states to participate in the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Opportunity Online program that will support enhanced broadband connectivity for public libraries in rural and under-resourced neighborhoods. I know that you are committed to broadband deployment in California; and this presents a great opportunity for California public libraries. The Gates Foundation anticipates that the new State Librarian will have a critical role in the success of this program.
We appreciate all of your efforts in identifying the next State Librarian of California and know that you will select someone who can continue to lead California into the future.
If we can be of any assistance in this appointment process please don't hesitate to contact Claudia Foutz, Interim Executive Director at 916-447-8541.
Sincerely,
Barbara Roberts, President
California Library Association
717 20th Street, Suite 200
Sacramento, CA 95811
916-447-8541
info@cla-net.org
- Letter to Governor's Office (360k)
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Posted on January 7, 2009 8:49 AM | Permalink