The California Library Association is a vigorous advocate for all libraries and staff in California. The work our association does impacts all of us.  Secretaries provide both the roadmap and the history of an organization and help craft its message and its voice. It would be an honor to serve our membership in this capacity.

If elected, my goal would be to help power the crucial work of the association.  I would do my part to keep CLA transparent, accountable and communicative.  I’d like to continue to explore the best ways for the membership be kept informed of initiatives, solutions and progress made by CLA. I would also advocate for partnerships with the League of California Cities and California State Association of Counties, natural allies.

Questionaire

1.  How do you define leadership?
   A leader is someone who helps the organization reach its goals.  A leader has their eye on the prize and can assist/boost/provide a foothold/cheerlead for others to reach their goals.  A leader both crafts strategy and sees from the 20K view.  Many people say a leader must have vision.  Yes, that is true, but helping an organization realize that vision is also leadership.  What is CLA’s vision.
2.  Why are you interested in this position?
   I want to give back.  I see the role of secretary to be a very practical one in terms of moving an organization towards the goals of the membership.  Secretaries help provide the roadmap and the history.  The role also helps articulate the voice of the organization.  Finally, I see very positive initiatives coming out of CLA and I’d like to be a part of that.
3.  How would you describe your personal leadership/communication style?
   I have a facilitator leadership style, I like to help people come to their own conclusions and help provide a way to get there. I’ve learned that listening is a key leadership skill.  I am also a communicator who likes to ask questions, check assumptions and to wonder “what if.”
4.  What strengths would you bring to the position?
   I like to get ‘er done.  I like to see things to completion.  I don’t necessarily like to do all the work of completion but I like to see and be a part of getting products and processes to the finish line.  I like accomplishing.
5.  What experience do you bring to this position?
   I’m currently the Secretary/Treasurer of the California County Librarians and have served in the past as the Chair of that organization.  I have been the chair of the NorthNet Library Consortium for three years and I’m now excited (woohoo!) to be past chair.  In an earlier life I was the Secretary of the Oregon Library Association and served as chair of the California County Librarians several years ago.
6.  What issues or trends are particularly informing your work at this time?
   The future.  Right now, California libraries have a hollowed out middle.  California has rich libraries and poor libraries and not as many in the middle.  What informs my work is how we insure equitable services to as many California patrons as possible.
   
   My other issue is that California libraries and staff have a real, viable political voice and that we can speak as one in key areas.  I have done some work with other consortiums in defining our roles and voices and will be doing some of that work with the California County Librarians.
   
   I am passionate that if we can find those issues on which we can speak with one voice, we can move mountains with stakeholders, politicians and the state institutions.  I think CLA is the best vehicle for this.
7.  Who are the thought leaders (in libraries or in other fields) who interest you?
   I’m always listening to new and different voices and I don’t hold allegiance to any particular ones.  I do pay attention to Rich Harwood.  I think the practical results of the Harwood method can transform communities.  Jamie LaRue is also someone I follow.  I think he’s a voice of wisdom in the area of intellectual freedom and the 1st amendment. Finally, I avidly follow Linda Hofschire and the RIPL (Research in Public Libraries) gang out of the Colorado State Library.  Data creates stories and they can show you how.
8.  Who are the regional and statewide stakeholders libraries need to be in communication with?
   There are two other organizations we should definitely do more with:  League of California Cities and California State Association of Counties.  Partnering with these organizations can help libraries with their local government stakeholders.  As we work jointly with local governments our message is more powerful.  In addition, that will help libraries market to their bosses.
   
   There are many other organizations but the two above stand out to me.
9.  What do you feel are the most critical challenges and opportunities facing California libraries right now?
   Libraries and library staff are powerful, trustworthy change agents.  That is both a challenge and an opportunity.  We have many libraries (say like Lassen County) who provide library services out of one location with part time staff who are changing the lives of the people in the communities they serve but they need more state-provided tools that would enable libraries to invest locally in staffing.  Low resourced libraries need an extra boost with statewide advocacy.
   
   My understanding is that our outgoing governor sees library services as a local issue.  It isn’t a local issue, it is an issue (like education) that all California citizens should have equitable access to.
10.  Describe your experience serving on Association committees and/or interest groups.
    My current work has been with the Intellectual Freedom Committee for which I’ve served as Chair for the past few years.  I believe the IFC’s work continues to be crucial to educate the public and most important, library staff.  Everyone who works in and with a library should have an understanding of what the ALA Library Bill of Rights mean in a local, practical way.
11.  Describe your network of connections with library professionals and library stakeholders in California.
    Through my connections with NorthNet (41 libraries spanning most of northern California) and the California County Librarians (statewide), I have connection with a broad group of library leaders and professionals.