Each month, we feature a Core member for an interview profile called #IAmCore. This month, meet Meredith Goins, Executive Director of the International Program Office at World Data System. Meredith is a member of Core’s Leadership and Management, Metadata & Collections, and Technology Sections, and she currently serve as Vice-Chair of the Awards and Scholarships Coordination Committee.
Describe yourself in three words.
Curious, passionate, and driven.
Describe Core in three words
Colleagues, connecting, and a seat-at-the-table! 😉
What do you value about Core?
Core is my people, my community. If I have a question, I know others have faced the same challenges and can either answer my questions or serve as a role model for making it through the challenge. I also value the opportunity Core Sections allow for leadership and growth.
How long have you been a Core member?
As a self-funded member, I have been a part of ALA and Core since 2020. I finally decided that I should support my personal growth even though I receive no funding from past or current employment for professional memberships.
What drew you to and continues to attract you to the Core Community?
The vast array of experiences that Core engages in attracted me. There is a place for everyone to learn and engage. Some groups I’m learning from include the International Relations Round Table (IRRT), Data & Analytics Interest Group, Collection Evaluation & Assessment Interest Group, AI and Machine Learning in Libraries Interest Group, and of course, the Core Awards and Scholarships Coordination Committee. But it is also the people. I started my volunteer experience with Core through the Awards & Scholarships Committee because of my background in peer review and my love of supporting and nurturing others to showcase their excellence to others. I was warmly welcomed and encouraged. It was easy to engage. This is one appointment on my calendar that I look forward to!
What are you working on now that you’re excited about?
Professionally, I’m working on identifying adoption challenges to the TRUST Principles for digital repositories (See: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41597-020-0486-7 and https://www.rd-alliance.org/groups/rda-wds-trust-principles-outreach-and-adoption-working-group/forum/)
As a PhD candidate, I’m looking at network analysis of data repository governance and mapping them to data adjacent organizations to search for board interlock and the diffusion of knowledge.
What are you currently reading/ listening to/ watching/ making?
I’m a huge fan of Jasper Fforde’s and am re-reading his most recent book Red Side Story, the sequel to Shades of Grey, to prepare for a meet and greet with him on May 10th! (See: https://www.jasperfforde.com/appearances.html)
What advice can you share to others for a fulfilling and beneficial Core experience?
There are tons of small ways that you can support your Core community. Volunteer to serve on one committee and just watch and learn from others. ALA and Core may seem intimidating, but it really isn’t.
Anything else you’d like to share?
Support your local bookstores!
