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Candidate Statement
Mr. Vinke began working in public libraries as a part-time Library Page where he developed a lifelong passion for public libraries and community service. Since then he has served in a variety of professional capacities including Reference Librarian, Audiovisual Librarian, Youth Services Librarian, Senior Librarian – Branch Manager, Senior Librarian – Support Services Supervisor, Senior Librarian – Reference Services Supervisor, and Principal Librarian of Operations where he oversaw adult services, facilities, and technology. During his career, he managed several technology projects to encourage, promote, and enhance access to Library services and collections including the digitization of local historic newspapers.
Dana Vinke earned his BA in Psychology from California State University, Long Beach and his MLIS from the University of California, Los Angeles, and enrolled in the Public Administration graduate program at California State University, Long Beach..
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Candidates for President-Elect
Candidates for Board At-Large
Candidates for Student Representative
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Mr. Vinke possesses a commitment for community programming and outreach. He has planned hundreds of cultural, recreational, and educational programs for adults and families. He has conducted Adult Programming workshops for UCLA, the California Librarian Association Conference, and Infopeople. In 2015, he was the recipient of the CLA Technology Professional Award. In 2016, he won the CLA PRExcellence Award for "Library Delivery Van Wrap - A moving promotion!" for the Torrance Public Library. From 2015 to 2016 he contributed blogs for ALA’s Programming Librarian. During his career, he has had the opportunity to collaborate with local businesses, community officials, and organizations such as City Councils, Library Commissions and Boards, and Library Foundations. Many of these relationships led to innovative service enhancements, engaging outreach opportunities, and informative public programs.
Mr. Vinke’s leadership and mentorship experience includes being a graduate of the Leadership Torrance program and Ventura County Leadership Excellence and Action Program (LEAP), and volunteering for the North High School Mentor project. In 2013, he was the adult leader for the Torrance Sister City program where he led seven high school students to Torrance's sister city, Kashiwa, Japan, spending three weeks in Japan as an Ambassador of good will.
He is active professionally and currently serves on the California Center for the Book Advisory Council and until recently the Long Beach City College’s Library Technician Advisory Committee where he assisted in ongoing development of the College’s Library Technician Certificate program. In July 2018, he authored a chapter titled RFPs for Public Library Collections which appeared in The Complete Guide to RFPs for Libraries by Frances C. Wilkinson and Sever Bordeianu.
Dana Vinke is currently the Deputy Director at the Ventura County Library where he manages operations and facilities for the system including the Library’s Youth Services Department, Web Services Department, Information and Technology Department, Technical Services and Collection, and three City Librarians. As Deputy Library Director, he is project manager of the Library’s new Mobile Library which provides free public Wi-Fi, computer access, and printed materials to underserved areas of the County.
Questionaire
1. Why are you interested in this position?
I have always been interested in taking a more active role in the California Library Association (CLA). In the past several years, I have provided presentations, seminars, taken part in panel discussions, and participated in Poster Sessions at the annual CLA conferences. I believe that my years of experience, education, leadership, passion, and lifelong enthusiasm for public libraries would make me a strong contributor to the California Library Association and I would be able to assist the organization and members in achieving their goals.
2. How would you describe your personal leadership/communication style?
I would describe my leadership style as collaborative and I believe in leading by example. Today’s leaders need to be able to reach across boundaries and diverse organizations to achieve our goals. I believe strongly in the power of bringing people together and relying on our shared knowledge and strengths to get things accomplished. My communication style is open, diplomatic, and assertive. I prefer in person meetings when possible, and over then phone next. I feel these types of meetings allow for less misinterpretation, and more productivity.
3. What strengths would you bring to the position?
My biggest strengths are creativity, collaboration, and seeing things to fruition. Creativity is important in the ability to solve complex problems, collaboration is necessary in today’s world where everyone seems siloed, and obviously we need to accomplish the tasks ahead of us.
4. What experience do you bring to this position?
I possess more than 30 years' experience in public libraries. I began working for a public library at the age of 15. Since then, my professional roles have included Circulation Page Supervisor, Reference Librarian, Youth Services Librarian, Audiovisual Services Supervisor, Library Branch Manager, Reference Services Supervisor, Technical Services Supervisor, Principal Librarian, and now Deputy Director. Over the years as a supervisor, I gained extensive experience in the areas of budgeting, procurement, personnel recruitment, selection, and training, employee performance review, mentorship, and discipline, workplace safety, and implementing policies and procedures.
I’ve had the opportunity to gain experience in a variety of administrative areas, specifically in, building renovation and space planning, the creation and implementation of policies and procedures, grant writing, implementation, and evaluation, facility management, budgeting, labor negotiations, and library automation. In addition, I have gained experience in working with a broad range of community stakeholders including volunteer groups, commissions, local foundations, elected officials, city and county government, and community organizations.
5. What issues or trends are particularly informing your work at this time?
As Deputy Director at Ventura County Library, there are many issues and trends which inform my work. First, we are concerned with serving the underserved in the community, those that cannot physically make it to a library location. That is why I am pleased to be working closely on the County’s new Mobile Library. The County has made this service a priority and we are already identifying stops that will bring much needed books, computers, and Internet access throughout the area.
An issue which has always been with us is raising awareness of Library services. This has only become more challenging in an electronic age when consumers are utilizing dozens of platforms. I am always on the look out for new ways to get our message out to communities and promote our facilities, services, and wonderful staff.
6. Who are the thought leaders (in libraries or in other fields) who interest you?
In regards to libraries, Miguel Figueroa, Center for the Future of Libraries; Susan Hildreth, Library Administrator; Diane Satchwell, Executive Director Southern California Library Cooperative; Maxine Bleiweis, Library Innovation Consulting. In regards to other fields, Ainissa G. Ramirez, Ph.D.; Sean Carroll; Michio Kaku.
7. Who are the regional and statewide stakeholders libraries need to be in communication with?
I believe we could improve extramural communication between our Libraries, we are such excellent resources for each other. My colleagues at other libraries have always had the time to assist me and I have always tried to return the favor. However, I always find that many libraries are unaware of the amazing things our friends and colleagues are accomplishing.
We should always be communicating well with local, regional, and state wide elected officials and the board and organizations they serve on to improve advocacy and support. I believe we could improve our communication with local school districts, charter schools, and home school networks.
I believe we should be in communication with non-profits which present great potential for collaboration like First 5 California, FOOD Share, and Boys & Girls Clubs.
8. What do you feel are the most critical challenges and opportunities facing California libraries right now?
Many challenges and opportunities face California libraries right now. Some of the critical challenges are ones we have faced for several years including funding, raising awareness, and advocating for our institutions. Other critical challenges are relatively new, including the growth in numbers of those experiencing homelessness, the expansion and need of our underserved populations, the growing drug epidemic, and mental health crisis. Fortunately, California Libraries are filled with creative, smart, and resourceful individuals who are dedicated to serving all. Our opportunities lie within us and our institutions. CLA has demonstrated over and over the power of our networking, collaboration, and information sharing. Together, our opportunities outweigh our challenges.
9. Describe your experience serving on Association committees and/or interest groups.
I am currently a member of the California Center for the Book Advisory Council and serve on the Steering Committee of the CLA Marketing and Public Relations Interest Group. In the past, I have been Chair of the MCLS Reference Committee, and a member of the Long Beach City College Library Technician Advisory Board, CLA Mentorship Program, UCLA Library & Information Studies Alumni Association, UCLA Library & Information Studies Alumni Association Mentorship Program, and the Intellectual Freedom Committee.
10. Describe your network of connections with library professionals and library stakeholders in California.
My experience, education, and conference attendance over the last 20 years has allowed me to build a great many professional relationships with colleagues of all levels at various libraries throughout the state.
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