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CLA Elections 2019 Brian Edwards

 
 

Brian Edwards, Alameda County Library

Candidate for Position

  

Brian Edwards

Candidate Statement

Hi everyone, my name is Brian Edwards and I’m currently the Division Director of Fremont Libraries, part of the Alameda County Library system. In my current role I oversee the 4 libraries in Fremont, along with work with central leadership to provide systemwide change for the County. I work with a dedicated and diverse team to provide programs and services that make me proud to tell people what I do for a living.

I have served my community collaboratively through multiple avenues~ like the Fremont Learning Network, as a California Invention Convention judge, BayNet President, Treasurer for the Albany Rotary Club, Conference committee member/presenter for MMANC (Municipal Management Association of Northern California), etc. I’ve been part of several Countywide interdepartmental initiatives, like the Google Government project that helped to engage leaders into 10x thinking. In 2016 I was part of the California Library Leadership cohort, and have also been on several panels for the CLA annual conference.
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My library journey has gone full-circle: I started attending programs here in Fremont when I was just a baby in my mom’s green backpack (the Bay Area was being sprayed with pesticides for medfly, so my mom didn’t let me touch the ground for 7 months). Soon after that, my mom volunteered as a 'Booklegger' here in Fremont when I was a kid. The Bookleggers did booktalks for elementary schools and promoted the library, and I was her test subject for new books. The day I started as a Library Page, some of the Children’s Librarians asked if I was the blonde kid with big eyes who never left that backpack. 20 years later; my mom still rides her bike to the library, I get to see all the new babies in the library, and she thinks I have the best job in the world.

I’m interested in continuing to engage the library community and finding ways that they can translate their own passions into learning experiences for the public and become change agents in our communities. I have a MPA in Management/Policy Analysis from CSU East Bay, and an MLIS in Youth Services & Library Management from UNT, along with a BA in Studio Art & a certificate in Contract Management.

Questionaire

1. Why are you interested in this position?

I want to support the values and vision of the importance of California Libraries for our communities. We are in the business of information & science - yet an increasing percentage of the population continues to attack these fields. I’d like to be part of a group that is supporting the growth of individuals to build stronger communities that value information. I am interested in serving the greater California Library community, as well as contributing my perspectives to continue to support viable & vibrant libraries.

2. How would you describe your personal leadership/communication style?

I’d like to think of myself as being “active” or “connected” with my communication style; I feel it’s important to be accessible to all my staff as well as the public. In a leadership sense, I love the Platinum Role: treat people how they want to be treated. My philosophy is that you should always be kind and respectful to everyone you interact with, and model the behaviors that you expect out of your own employees.

3. What strengths would you bring to the position?

I believe that one of my strengths is working/networking with elected officials to build support and awareness for our libraries. These connections help build my awareness of issues like growth, redistricting, and community issues. If you ask Clifton’s Strengthsfinder, my 5 top strengths are: Individualization, Relator, Woo, Input, and Achiever.

4. What experience do you bring to this position?

I’ve been managing people & working with library support groups for the past 10 years in Alameda County, but have a total of 20 years experience working in various roles in the library.  I’ve spent the last 3 years as the President of BayNet, a regional multi-disciplinary library organization; and I’ve also been active with MMANC (Municipal Management Association of Northern California) over the past several years. MMANC is a leadership & professional development organization that is connected to Cal-ICMA (International City & County Managers Association).  In that role I worked on the Conference Committee, served as a Regional Co-Chair organizing events, and recruited new members.

5. What issues or trends are particularly informing your work at this time?

Community issues are library issues. Locally, income inequality and people experiencing homelessness are big issues in the Bay Area, and all throughout California. Alameda County has seen a 40% increase in people experiencing homelessness the past 2 years - everyone has a role in the community on finding a solution. How can we open our facilities more so that we can support people most vulnerable during extreme weather conditions? Also, maintaining a safe and welcoming space is increasingly important for me; especially as development increases for place and community members look for a human space to interact.

6. Who are the thought leaders (in libraries or in other fields) who interest you?

I don’t have a specific person that I follow in libraries - what I enjoy doing is talking to various people and find out what they are doing, what is successful, and what has failed. One of the best parts of CLA Conferences is the pauses between sessions, or dinner & discussions with a group of colleagues that you just met.  That is where a lot of inspiration strikes.

7. Who are the regional and statewide stakeholders libraries need to be in communication with?

City Managers, County Administrators, Legislators, Budget Directors, etc. People that have the nuts & bolts ability to flourish or crush our budgets. People who are also department heads of other agencies are critical in supporting our vision as well as vocally supporting our needs.

8. What do you feel are the most critical challenges and opportunities facing California libraries right now?

Libraries and Librarians are repositioning their identities and purpose for their communities right now.  While we are in “boom” years, budgets are largely solid and development is going well. Our funding agencies are now looking ahead for the next “bust” or even a lull in funding. In preparation, I see restructuring of Library Director roles happening throughout the state, and departments consolidating. When we hit the next lull or recession, we will need to make sure that we have the support for facility investment; State Assembly bill ACA1 has the potential to lower the threshold for our facility development needs to be in line with the school districts.   

9. Describe your experience serving on Association committees and/or interest groups.

I have not worked on any California Library Association Committees and/or Interest Groups.  

10. Describe your network of connections with library professionals and library stakeholders in California.

In the Bay Area, we have a relatively small library world, so I believe I’ve built a great network of colleagues here. Regionally, I’ve organized with my BayNet colleagues to coordinate multi-disciplinary Librarian tours of special libraries, as well as several programs geared specifically to our field. On the statewide level, I’ve met a great group of individuals through the California Library Leadership Institute in 2016; I’ve also connected with people at CLA conference as a conference presenter several times over the years through Art, Leadership, and Youth Services panels/programs. As a prior Regional Co-Chair of the Municipal Management Association, I ran bookclubs and served on the conference committee for mid-level and executive managers from various City/County/NGO agencies.