Each month, we feature a Core member for an interview profile called #IAmCore. This month, meet Carli Spina, who is a co-author, with Rebecca Albrecht Oling, of The Digital Accessibility Handbook for Libraries, published by ALA Editions/Core, and Head of Research and Instruction Services Librarian at the Fashion Institute of Technology (New York).
1. Describe yourself in three words.
- Curious
- Collaborative
- Inclusive
2. Describe Core in three words
- Supportive
- Innovative
- Educational
3. What do you value about Core?
I really appreciate the people I have met as part of Core and the professional development opportunities available to members, particularly through Core programming at conferences. I have learned a lot from Core programming over the years!
4. How long have you been a Core member?
I have been a member of Core since it was created and before that I was a member of one of its predecessors, LITA.
5. What drew you to and continues to attract you to the Core Community?
The Core Community offers so many ways for us to learn from one another and work together to improve libraries and librarianship. I also appreciate that Core offers a lot of different ways to get involved, from peer reviewing for a journal, to serving on a committee, to attending a conference. There are lots of ways to get involved no matter what interests you have!
6. What are you working on now that you’re excited about?
I’m very fortunate to be involved with accessibility work both at my institution and my larger system. It has been really great to work with librarians and educators to make higher education more inclusive for everyone, including students and employees with disabilities.
7. What are you currently reading/listening to/watching/making?
I recently started reading Inclusive Leadership in Academic Libraries edited by Annie Bélanger, Jennifer A. DeVito, and John J. Meier. It is a really interesting book and, best of all, it is available as an open access edition!I enjoy reading works related to leadership, higher education, and library innovation. I also enjoy listening to podcasts and discussions focused on student success, professional development, and emerging trends in libraries and archives. Outside of work, I enjoy watching historical documentaries and creating research and outreach materials for library programs.
8. What advice can you share with others for a fulfilling and beneficial Core experience?
Core has a lot of different opportunities to offer and my advice is to dive right in! There are opportunities to participate at conferences or get involved virtually across a wide range of topics, so there are options for getting involved in a lot of different ways. .
