The American Library Association (ALA) has selected 50 people to participate in its 2024 class of Emerging Leaders (EL). The EL program is designed to enable library staff and information workers to participate in project planning work groups, network with peers, gain an inside look into ALA structure, and have an opportunity to serve the profession in a leadership capacity early in their careers. Roxanne Pico-Lenz, OU MLIS 2019 graduate and Carrie McClain, OU MHR 2013 graduate were selected for the 2024 class.
Carrie (pictured above) currently serves as the Chief Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Officer at Tulsa City-County Library. She has been with TCCL since January 2022. Prior to her role at the library, she served as the Assistant Vice President for Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Office at OU Health Sciences Center and OU-Tulsa.
Sannella, Shumaker, and Yahannes’s peer-reviewed article in the Journal of Library Outreach and Engagement focuses on budding partnerships between the University of Maryland, Baltimore County’s Albin O. Kuhn Library, and Retriever Essentials, the on-campus food access initiative. Shumaker examined the campus demographics, specifically campus food insecurity statistics, and how they contribute to the overall need for the library’s mini pantry space. In addition, the authors discuss ways to identify key partners, the ideal location, and the best pantry model to implement.
Laura Kringler (MLIS 2020) has been hired as the school library media specialist at Bryn Mawr Primary School in Minneapolis, MN. Minneapolis Public Schools administration approved external and state funding to provide at least a .5 FTE school librarian in the fall of 2023.
Kringler shared, “The SLIS MLIS program at OU gave me a solid library foundation in the field, so when an opportunity arose for an elementary school library media position at my current place of work, my principal reached out to me to apply for the position, having known I had recently completed the MLIS. The online program allowed me to continue to work! I feel very prepared for my new role as School Librarian.”
Veronica Pipestem (MLIS 2012) presented Tips and Tools for Working with Independent Contractors and Consultants at the 2023 Oklahoma Museum Conference, September 13 – 15 in Broken Arrow, OK.
Pipestem’s session highlighted key factors to consider when working contracts, agreements, and how to identify the right contractor. Veronica is a consultant for ItsimiVee Museum and Cultural Program and co-presented with Nancy Lowe-Clark, Consultant, ITIN Museum Services.
Carolyn Scearce (May 2023 graduate of the MLIS program) recently accepted the position of Biological Sciences Librarian at Hesburgh Library at the University of Notre Dame. She will begin this new position on March 1, 2024.
