Each month, we feature a Core member for an interview profile called #IAmCore. This month, meet Cara Calabrese, Head, Acquisitions at Indiana University – Bloomington. Cara was also named to the office of 2027–2028 Core president.
1. Describe yourself in three words.
- Enthusiastic
- Supportive
- Ambitious
2. Describe Core in three words
- Home Base
- Leader
- Growing
3. What do you value about Core?
ALA can feel so big, and Core is cozy and inviting. Core allows me to focus on topics and committees that relate directly to my work, while having a broad enough membership to gain additional perspectives and ideas beyond Tech Services. With Core, I know I can always find interesting topics to explore and feel that both my time and money are well spent.
4. How long have you been a Core member?
Since Core’s Beginning! Prior to Core, I was a member of ALCTS and LLAMA. ALCTS was the 1st division I was actively involved with in ALA. It was very interesting to see the 3 Divisions come together and see our colleagues work hard to set it up for success. Then, after Core emerged, it was something new, but still felt like a place I knew and belonged in.
5. What drew you to and continues to attract you to the Core Community?
Being that my area of interest has always been Acquisitions. I was so excited to be on the Budget and Finance committee, getting to see the inner workings and how Core is growing year by year, especially as the larger organization is navigating a time of change. My time as a member and eventually Chair prepared me for other leadership roles. Like Treasurer of NMRT, where I used the knowledge developed in Core to ensure NMRT was well-informed and, in turn, work to set up future treasurers for success. Hopefully, I inspired future leaders to step up for ALA and Core. Core has continued to provide a space for me to learn and grow as a professional and a leader.
6. What are you working on now that you’re excited about?
TI’ve got 2 things I’m very excited about right now. I am planning a conference for academic librarians in Ohio with my Conference Planning Committee, the ALAO Annual Conference. I enjoy conference planning, and this conference has been going strong for many years. I am excited to contribute and bring the attendees a positive experience where they can meet up with their colleagues and share ideas.
The other thing I’m working on that I’m excited to get off the ground is a Technical Service Retreat Series. This is based on my past work with Masha Stepanova (a previous I Am Core feature!). The aim is to build relationships between TS teams & departments through fun, education, or professional development activities to sustain and boost division morale and cohesion. I’m excited to bring my past initiatives to my current workplace and explore local needs and what types of activities work best here. I always want my colleagues to feel supported and valued. I hope this idea yields positive results and we can evolve it as needs grow and change.
7. What are you currently reading/listening to/watching/making?
For a while, I got very into crafting jewelry and actually made the jewelry and headpiece I wore at my wedding at the end of last year. I’ve also been a big fan of DnD type podcasts and recently started listening to one called Canada by Night, which has been very fun to listen to, especially when traveling to and from conferences.
8. What advice can you share with others for a fulfilling and beneficial Core experience?
IThe best advice I can give is to get involved and take advantage of what Core has to offer. If you are new to Core, I recommend the Core Mentoring Program. This is good for both those new to the field and those who have some experience already. It helps make Core more personal as you get to share a yearlong mentoring partnership with another Core member. This program falls under the Leadership & Management Section. Core currently has 6 Sections, and each of those has Committees and Interest Groups with a variety of focuses you can get involved with. You can volunteer to be on a committee, be a chair, propose a topic for a webinar, or just sit in on a meeting. Whatever way fits you best, Core has something for you!
Anything else you’d like to share?
Core Forum is coming up in the fall, and registration will be open soon if it’s not already! Core Forum brings the programming level of a national conference, but at a smaller footprint, which makes it feel welcoming and can lead to more connections. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the Forums I’ve been able to attend and brought back new ideas each time. This year, we are in Louisville, Kentucky, in the Fall. I hope to see you there! (If you can’t make it in-person, keep an eye out for the Best of Core Forum Webinars, where Core brings you the top-rated programs in an online format.)
