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Biography
Anthony Chow is a full professor and Director of San Jose State University’s School of Information, the largest MLIS program in the nation, and is a Board of Director for CLA. He is also the co-chair of the Council of Deans for the American
Library and Association Information Science Education (ALISE), on the Board of Directors for the CALA and the national Little Free Library organization, and a member of ALA’s Policy Corps. He also is the founder and project director for two IMLS
grants working with Native American children and communities.
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Dr. Chow also has his own consulting firm where he conducts community assessment, evaluations, and develops strategic plans for libraries and organizations across the nation. His areas of expertise include web design and UX, informatics and analytics, technology integration, and leadership and management. As a LIS professor for 23 years, he has experience with all types of libraries and information organizations. He is the author of over 150 peer reviewed articles, presentations, and books and presented and conducted research all over the world. Anthony is married to his high school sweetheart and they have three grown children. He is the son of immigrants and was born and raised in Florida.
1) How do you define leadership?
Leadership is helping to set the vision for the organization by working extremely hard to allow everyone in that an organization an opportunity to help define the needs and future actions that must take place to meet those needs. Leaders then ensure that the vision established is clear to all and that resources are made available to be successful. Leaders are also responsible for ensuring a strong culture which includes serving as a role model through both actions and words, setting a positive emotionally intelligent culture (e.g., politeness, kindness, clear communication, etc.), gathering data to help ensure the organization is on track, and identifying and aligning the appropriate resources needed to get the job done.
As a leader you have to wear many hats and also work with people in ways that work best for them. My primary leadership style, however, is servant leadership. This style emphasizes the fact that leaders serve the organization and the people who run that organization – that the internal success of people and the organization itself must be in place for long-term and sustainable success. Lastly, leaders are the face of the organization and need to constantly be representing the organization in building relationships, seeking opportunities, and making sure everyone knows that the organization is strong and value-added and always open to collaborating with others.
2) Why are you interested in this position?
I have accumulated a lot of experience through the “school of hard knocks,” am a lifelong library user and advocate, and have had the honor of serving on the CLA board for the last year. When I was approached to add my name to the hat, I enthusiastically accepted because I always wish to be value-added to any organization I commit to and so, if I can serve CLA best as its President, I am well prepared to do so. Furthermore, I want to make it clear that I will continue to serve CLA win or lose. My only goal is the success of CLA so that it can continue to serve California libraries and, most importantly, all of the people whose lives are improved by having access to them.
3) How would you describe your personal leadership communication style?
I am polite, open, and accessible across mediums and platforms. Being considerate and polite, however, is foremost in how I communicate – "please, thank you, have a great day," is always something you will get from me. Respect and consideration are always first. In terms of getting things done, I also try and be as clear as possible when asking for people to accomplish goals and tasks.
4) What strengths would you bring to the position?
I am an experienced and proven leader and also have expertise in most types of libraries and so therefore I have a working context in terms of understanding potential needs. My specific strengths include positive and energetic leadership, I’m organized, I’m data driven, I’m good with numbers and spreadsheets, I am a strategic planner, I am strong in technology, and I am extremely active in the field and therefore have a lot of perspective, passion and contacts that I can bring to the table to benefit CLA and others.
5) One (what) experience do you bring to this position?
As someone who has led at many different levels and in many different work environments, I am extremely adaptable as well as confident in my ability to get things done and move any organization forward in an assertive, sustainable, and productive fashion. I also understand that conflict and disagreement on what and how to move forward is a healthy part of the process and I have the experience to identify and resolve it quickly. I also will lead from all different directions – internally, outwardly, politically, and developing relationships that will benefit and serve the interest of CLA and the libraries that they serve. 6) What issues or trends are particularly informing your work at this time?
There are three right now: 1) Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion – I am involved at the national level with ALA, the Committee on Accreditation, and the ALISE Dean’s council to ensure the new accreditation standards clearly operationalize what is expected of LIS education and the field in terms of EDI. It’s one thing to say it is important but it is much more complicated to put these values to work and help identify examples and pathways for people to follow to ensure they are doing what is expected; 2) Library Technology Integration (LTI) – I have just founded the LTI lab at San Jose State and also have developed my resume/CV in virtual reality as a way to conduct research and development in technology integration and then educate both our students and the field on how to develop and include a “Library Technology of Things” to introduce and teach digital literacy and also use innovative technology in day-to-day operations; 3) Early Children’s Literacy in Native American populations – I am identifying both barriers and potential solutions on a national level to systematically address access to books and libraries for Native American children and families. This means understanding both barriers and their needs and creating new opportunities that break down these barriers and support them.
7) Who were the thought leaders (in libraries were in other fields) who interest you?
I have a lot of them but let me start with Dr. Brenda Dervin and Dr. Wayne Wiegand. Dr. Dervin because of her deep research and the formation of the information models that address the meaning of information seeking and the general motivation behind why people seek information. Dr. Wiegand is a former colleague at FSU and his outstanding work in the history of libraries, which is still relevant today. Finally, let me select a non-librarian/information scientist, in Dr. Robert Gagne (from UC Berkeley), who is one of the forefathers of teaching and learning and how human cognition works.
8) Who are the regional and statewide stakeholders libraries need to be in communication with?
I believe in both internal and external stakeholders. For libraries this means ensuring a full feedback loop starting with the librarians themselves as they serve the public on the front lines and know what people need on a day-to-day basis. Next, would be working with local and county government to ensure clear channels of communication and their high priorities are known and also aligned to the work of libraries. Regionally, of course, there will be more people, leaders, and communities to work with including county government, school districts, and municipal leaders. Finally at the state level, CLA and CSLA must work closely together with the State Library and state leaders to ensure clear alignment between priorities in Sacramento, our state’s library organizations, and the communities they serve.
9) Describe your experience serving on association committees and/or interest groups
I have had the privilege of serving and leading many different committees and associations at local, county, state, and national levels. This includes being on the executive board of CLA, the North Carolina Library Association (NCLA) for 11 years, being on ALA’s Committee on Library Advocacy, CALA, Communities in Schools, and countless academic committees in my 23-year career.
10) Describe your network of connections with library professionals and library stakeholders in California
I have the privilege of knowing the majority of librarians in California, first and foremost, as the Director of SJSU’s School of Information; the majority of professional librarians are from our school or affiliated with our school in some way. This includes the State Librarian, the past ALA President, the current ALA President, the entire CLA Board, and librarians and directors across the state and nation. I also highly covet win-win scenarios and am always looking to build new partnerships and collaborations.
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