We asked candidates for Core Director-at-Large to answer some questions before the spring election opens on March 9, 2026. Voting will close April 1. Directors-at-Large are elected to three-year terms, 2026-2029.
Chulin is Director of Library Technology, Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
1. What has Core brought to your career, and what would you bring to Core if you are elected to this position?
When I began my career as a Head of Library Systems in 2006, LITA was an essential resource for navigating the challenges of technology in academic libraries. The LITA Forum allowed me to connect with many peers and learn from groundbreaking projects, while the LITA-L listserv served as my daily knowledge base. LITA/Core has been my professional home ever since.
If elected, I will bring two decades of leadership experience in academic libraries, ALA governance, and open-source communities. I aim to leverage this background to ensure Core continues to be a vital, supportive resource for the next generation of library professionals.
2. Member engagement is critical for the life and health of the Core Division. How do you plan to sustain and grow Core’s membership?
Engagement is driven by relevance and connection. To grow our membership, we must ensure Core’s services directly address the day-to-day challenges of library work. As a former member of the LITA Membership Development Committee, I believe we must focus on fostering organic, peer-to-peer conversations and providing low-cost, high-impact learning activities. When library professionals across all roles see Core as the place where they find solutions to daily work and opportunities for professional growth, sustainability follows naturally.
3. How will you pursue collaboration between sections of Core and across ALA?
ALA is a vast organization, and currently, many divisions are working on AI initiatives. Core is uniquely positioned to lead the conversation on the integration of AI in libraries. I will advocate for cross-sectional and cross-divisional task forces to develop practical resources for adopting AI tools and integrating AI solutions into library workflows.
4. 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?
In my professional areas in library technology and digital strategies, EDIA means ensuring that technology and information resources are accessible to all. This commitment is why I have been a staunch advocate for open-source, open access, and open communities.
Within Core, we must implement these values by providing low-cost programming, ensuring that professional development isn’t restricted by financial status. Furthermore, Core should lead advocacy efforts to mitigate the “AI Divide.” We must facilitate intentional knowledge sharing from well-resourced institutions to smaller libraries, ensuring that the benefits of emerging AI technology are shared equitably.
5. What’s one thing you think Core is doing particularly well and that you intend to support or enhance? What should the division change?
Core excels at broadcasting its programs and services to its members. However, our communication currently feels like a one-way street. I would like to see Core adopt collaborative, real-time communication tools—such as a dedicated Slack workspace—to facilitate organic, real-time peer-to-peer support and knowledge sharing. By helping members help each other, Core will be an indispensable, community-driven organization for all.
