We asked candidates for Core Director-at-Large to answer some questions before the spring election opens on March 10. Voting will close on April 2, with results announced on April 7.
The Directors-at-Large are elected to three-year terms, 2025–2028.
Melissa is the Head of Technical Services at the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, MS.
- What has Core brought to your career, and what would you bring to Core were you elected to this position?
My overall experience with Core has been finding a home that brings together my varied interests and the passion of my work. It has been welcoming to find a place where I can develop as a leader and as a technical services librarian. As a leader in Core, I would hope to bring thoughtfulness, understanding, and opportunity to the organization. I want to push Core to succeed and also build up the most important part of Core, our members. - Member engagement is critical for the life and health of the Core Division. How do you plan to sustain and grow Core’s membership?
Core is emerging as ALA’s brightest star and our members and potential members see its value. As the former co-chair of the Core Forum Planning Committee, I see the value in us bringing Core to our members. That means setting up our conferences in different locations so all can participate, providing low or even no cost learning opportunities, and encouraging people to participate. - How will you pursue collaboration between sections of Core, and across ALA?
Members of Core and ALA gather strength from sharing thoughts, ideas, and concepts. I would work to bring together shared ideas from across ALA to build relationships. I want to work on looking at our similarities and building positive member experiences. - What does equality, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility (EDIA) mean in your professional life, and how should these be implemented within Core and in larger advocacy efforts?
EDIA is being respectful and responsible for the work we as librarians produce. It means thinking about the impact we make in how we structure metadata, how access to resources is provided, the variety of resources and formats provided, and how we treat others. - What’s one thing you think Core is doing particularly well and that you would intend to support or enhance? What should the division change?
One of Core’s strengths is the excellent and varied programming provided by all the sections of Core. Without our members dedicating time and energy to library scholarship, developed and blossoming ideas would not be shared.
As a division Core struggles with communication channels that are intuitive for our members. Core members work with the software provided, but better options are needed to reach our members. Core needs to look for an alternative to ALA Connect.
Melissa’s Personal Statement
When Core was established almost five years ago, I took a chance and joined the new organization. I was excited to see what Core could accomplish with a new vision. What I have seen has been extraordinary. Core is the Phoenix from the ashes.
Having personally experienced Core coming into existence, I am excited to be part of Core’s future. As a Director-at-Large, I want to make sure all Core members are represented in our community. We each have unique perspectives on librarianship, which needs to be celebrated. In my role as the Core Forum Planning Committee Co-Chair, I was able to work with a diverse group of professionals to create programming to meet the varied needs of our members. I plan to continue pushing for innovative and needed programming. I would also like to build further relationships in Core. Core is only as strong as its membership. We will never succeed if we don’t keep our members as our focus. By understanding the needs of our members, we can build a better organization. Lastly, as a person who enjoys my work organizing and planning, I want to plan for Core’s growth. I want to make sure the divisions and committees support our Core members. We need these groups to bring together our diverse viewpoints.
I would be honored to represent the Core membership as a Core Board of Directors member.
Thank you, Melissa!
