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Vikki Cervantes - 2020

 
 

Vikki Cervantes, Porterville City Librarian

Candidate for President Elect

 
Candidates for President Elect
Candidates for Treasurer
Candidates for Board At-Large
ALA Chapter Councilor Candidate

Biography

Porterville City Librarian 2007 – present
MLIS - San Jose State University 2009
Social Science BA – Chapman University 2004
California Public Library Advocates, Vice-President (current)
Burton School Board Member, 2018-present
Porterville Barn Theater, Vice-President (current)

Vikki is homegrown from Porterville, California in the Central Valley between Fresno and Bakersfield.  She started working at the Porterville City Library in 1995 as a part-time library aide and five years later accepted a full time position as a Library Assistant. Vikki enjoyed

 

her time as a Library Assistant doing various programming from Preschool to Young Adults, collection development, and community outreach. In, 2002 Vikki accepted a supervisory position with the City of Tulare, just 25 miles away. As a Librarian at the Tulare City Library Vikki was able to fine tune her leadership and conflict resolution skills. It was an enjoyable five year assignment but Vikki’s heart was always at the Porterville Library. In February 2007, Vikki was appointed by the Porterville City Council to serve on the Library Board of Trustees. It was during her appointment that the Porterville City Librarian retired and Vikki just knew it was the right time in her career path to become a library director. Vikki was hired in August 2007 as the 15th City Librarian to serve the Porterville Community since 1904. Under Vikki’s leadership the Library has been awarded California State Library Grants for Online Homework Help, Family Place, and Harwood.  Vikki has worked hard to establish a team that is adaptable to handling the diverse needs of the community and increased the visibility of library services through community participation. Currently, Miss Cervantes is looking forward to beginning a new Porterville City Library Legacy after the tragic library fire in February 2020 that destroyed the entire facility.

Candidate Statement

My name is Vikki Cervantes and I have decided to run for CLA president because I believe California Libraries are vital institutions that provide fundamental social and economic benefits strengthen our communities.  I have been the City Librarian in my hometown of Porterville since 2007. I am seeking this opportunity to draw inspiration from my peers, so that we can together strive for better library services for our communities, secure stable funding, and continue to build a strong diverse membership. I have been a leader in public libraries for over 18 years, I have cultivated teams that have transformed our library services within our community.  It is a great time in my career to contribute and help lead the way for what comes next for all California Libraries!

Questionaire

1. How do you define leadership?

I define leadership as a constant growth and commitment to cultivating our workforce through assertive communications and a high level of conflict resolution strategies. Leadership also requires a strong sense of self confidence to do any job to the best of your abilities.

2. Why are you interested in this position?

I am interested in this position because the timing to give back to my profession is ideal. I am in a process of transformational change rebuilding my professional work that I lost in the Porterville Library fire. I have over 25 years of dedicated public library service doing every job you can imagine. I feel professionally stronger because of my hometown tragedy and feel that I can contribute greatly to our membership. If elected I believe we can grow together through our respective hardships and global pandemics which will help develop a stronger diverse membership.

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

My leadership style is definitely a cross between transformational and charismatic inside and outside of work. I am most certain my communication style is assertive. I do not do well with those how dance around a topic of conflict. My thought are let us just pull the band aid off and get it all out so that we can work out the issue together.

4. What strengths would you bring to the position?

I have a solution driven attitude about everything in life. My Strength Finder top 5 traits are Communication, Activator, Strategic, Input, and Responsibility. These traits have served me well as library director and in my elected school board position. I have not survived public service for 25 years without having humble beginnings and I enjoy building others up to their full potential. I work well with others and I do not shy away from conflict. 

5. What experience do you bring to this position?

I have been a leader in public libraries for over 18 years. I am an elected official on the Burton School Board and will start my second term in December 2020. I have completed a certificated “Master’s in Governance” program through the California School Board Association. In the last decade I have served three times as Chair for the San Joaquin Valley System.

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

The constant changing guidelines for Covid19 that we apply to business management is informing my daily work at this time. The many active dialogues with library peers locally and throughout the state on several issues from technology accessibility to budget cuts. When it comes to public libraries advocacy and trends, I have always had a watchful eye on news from United for Libraries, ALA, PLA, CSL, and CLA platforms…and the list goes on!

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

John C. Maxwell- I keep his devotional book “Leadership Promises for Every Day” has been on top of my desk since March 2020! It is a constant reminder to me that leadership is not perfection. We must have a growth mindset!
Rich Harwood is brilliant! Rich really speaks to my soul.

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

Everyone and anyone who believes libraries matter! And if they do not believe libraries matter then we need to convince them by showcasing how we transform communities through programs and services. We need to share the compelling stories with elected officials and the general public about how your adult learner read a book to their child for the first time or the special needs parent who brings their child to every story time every week. It is not only impactful to us as workers in a library but it should be impactful to a community as well.

 

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

The most critical challenges facing California libraries right now are budgetary impacts, decline of physical operational services due to the pandemic, and the fight for inclusion moving forward.
The opportunities are creating innovative services points that keep our community safe, growth in technology infrastructure, and revamping our library imagine beyond the traditional mindset.


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

I have served on the CLA Leadership Development committee. I have to say it was a great experience and the committee was extremely diverse representing all regions of California, as I believe CLA should strive for in committee representation.

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

Honestly, I have always had a strong support system of library professionals and stakeholders during my 25 years of library services. However, my professional relationships became vital when our beloved library was destroyed. I was in contact via text message with our State Librarian Greg Lucas within the first 12 hours! My beloved friend and colleague Diane Satchwell who offered immeasurable support connected me to a funding opportunity. The day after the fire in the early morning hours I was in the right place at the right time with our elected officials and the city manager at a press conference and emotions were high. Later that afternoon along with the elected officials I met with Senator Melissa Hurtado and I was able to convey our great loss in the community and that library was more than just a building. My beloved friend Deborah Doyle has been a key fixture delivering two board effectiveness trainings with our Commission over the last decade. In early January, Deborah requested Porterville send a representative to participate in Legislative Day in Washington D.C. to assist ALA and meet with Congressman McCarthy’s office to advocate for California Libraries. I was unable to attend but I was able to send a Library and Literacy Commissioner. It goes without saying the San Joaquin Valley Library System Library Directors- Amy Taylor-Merced County, Janet Chase-Williams-Mariposa County, Krista Riggs- Madera County, Raman Bath- Fresno County, Mary Leal-Coalinga-Huron, Natalie Rencher-Kings County, Darla Wegener-Tulare County, Heidi Clark-Tulare City, and Andi Sullivan-Kern County have been a lifeline. Additionally, since the fire I have met some extraordinary individuals across the nation who feel strongly about libraries and the future of the Porterville Library.