Massachusetts Library Association

Candidate Statements 2005

Candidates for Vice-President, President-Elect

Kimberly S. Lynn, Reference and Teen Librarian, Memorial Hall Library, Andover

It is with great honor that I accept the nomination for vice-president/president-elect of the Massachusetts Library Association. MLA is a strong, vibrant organization with a bright future. Our members are our greatest asset. Everyone, both current and prospective members, must be encouraged to participate in shaping their jobs, our profession, and the future of libraries.

I believe in facing challenges head-on. Right now our biggest challenge is to vigilantly protect the public’s right to access information confidentially. Library workers are powerful champions of democracy. Massachusetts must lead the way for the rest of the nation.

My vision for MLA is based on the current work and goals of the organization and involves:

• having at least one MLA member in every Massachusetts library.
  
• continuing to advocate for libraries and library staff by working more closely with the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.
  
• expanding networking and continuing education opportunities, taking into account that many libraries are short-staffed and workers are unable to leave their buildings.
  
• identifying and nurturing new library leaders.
  
• supporting school, academic, and other library staff members.
  
• attracting new members by increasing the benefits of membership.
  
• monitoring intellectual freedom issues and championing access to information.
  

Like many of you, I have spent my entire career working in libraries, both academic and public. My experience includes children’s services, reference, and administration. Currently, I’m doing what I love most, serving customers in reference and teen services at Memorial Hall Library in Andover.

My accomplishments include being director of the Reading Public Library, serving on the NOBLE Executive Board, and chairing the MLA Intellectual Freedom Committee.

As vice-president/president-elect of MLA I will work tirelessly for you, for the principles of librarianship, and most especially, for those we serve. Thank you.

Douglas W. Rendell, Director, Peabody Institute Library, Danvers

For the past twenty nine years I have been working in libraries. When I first graduated from Simmons I worked as a school librarian in Rutland, Massachusetts. I then became the Library Director for the Bellingham Public Library in Bellingham and then moved to the Saugus Public Library as Library Director. For the last fifteen years I have been the library director for the Peabody Institute Library in Danvers.

Libraries and librarians have changed a lot in the last 29 years. I have watched libraries move from stand-alone institutions to members of cooperatives. I have watched libraries move from no automation to libraries that are active members of networks.

What has not changed is people’s need for information. These days they have a number of choices of where to get that information and more and more citizens a call, e-mail or stop by their local library as part of their research process. For many citizens we are an invaluable part of their community.

Being part of organizations that support libraries has always been part of my work as a librarian. I have served as secretary, treasurer, and president of NOBLE, INC. I have served as president of NMRLS and I have served on numerous committees for both organizations. I have also been a member of MLA, NELA, and ALA for years. I look forward to being a part of the leadership of MLA. This organization is a strong advocate for all librarians in Massachusetts. The advocacy of this organization has kept libraries in the public view during bad times and good times. It is vital that MLA continue to be there for educational, informational, and advocacy. I am honored that I have been asked to join this fine team.

Candidates for Secretary

Alison Ernst, Director of Library and Academic Resources, Northfield Mount Hermon School, Northfield

I am honored by the nomination to serve the Massachusetts Library Association in the position of Secretary. This is an exciting time for MLA and Massachusetts libraries, and I appreciate the opportunity to participate actively in our state association.

I have worked in Massachusetts libraries throughout my career, in academic libraries during graduate school, as a public library director, and currently as a library administrator for an independent school. Throughout my tenure I’ve been interested and committed to multitype library cooperation: how libraries and librarians can work together to provide the best service to our communities.

I have served a term on the State Advisory Council on Libraries (SACL) for the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC), participating in a round of state-wide strategic planning as well as reviewing three years of grant proposals for federal funds. Over the past decade and a half I worked on numerous committees for the Western Massachusetts Regional Library System (WMRLS), including a rotation on the executive board. I will continue to work for Massachusetts libraries and librarians. Serving as MLA’s secretary is another opportunity for service to our profession, which I believe is “fighting the good fight.”

My election to the MLA Executive Board will contribute additional representation of the Western Massachusetts perspective. I also will bring the participation of a school library administrator colleague who has knowledge, experience and commitment to multitype library and librarian needs and goals. Most importantly, I will strive to take good notes! Thank you for your consideration.

Gianna Gifford, Social Work Librarian, Simmons College Library, Boston

I have been involved with MLA for the last five years, co-chairing the Conference Committee for the past four years. It has been wonderful to see the Association get stronger and set a strategic plan that will continue to help advocate for all libraries across the state. I have enjoyed planning the annual conferences, serving on the Executive Board, and seeing our membership grow. I would be glad for the opportunity to serve MLA in the role of Secretary for the next two years. My experience from the Conference Committee and my perspective as an academic librarian would surely enhance the Administrative Board.

I work with many different groups and committees in my position as Social Work Librarian at the Simmons College Library, where I have been for the last thirteen years (the past five in my current position)—“collaboration” has become my middle name. I do tend to seek out projects, new initiatives, and committees in order to build relationships with colleagues and to learn about issues facing libraries and our profession. It would be a exciting challenge to serve on the Administrative Board and to see how a not-for-profit organization functions. I am committed to MLA’s mission, and would work hard as Secretary to see that our strategic goals come to fruition.

Candidate for New England Library Association Representative

Cheryl Hansen, Director, Sutton Public Library

My first year as NELA Representative has been an exciting one and I am honored to accept the nomination for a second term. It has been a pleasure to meet and work with the boards of both the Massachusetts Library Association and the New England Library Association. Library partnerships with community organizations and advocacy of the importance of libraries being perceived as a vital part of the community are of extreme interest to me. Having the chance to be involved in a partnership between two organizations which value advocacy so highly has been tremendous and I am happy to be able to continue for another year.