OLA 2019 Elections Candidate Information

Welcome to the Oregon Library Association's election website.

Instructions:
1. Scroll down to read about the candidates for each office: Vice-President/President-Elect, Secretary, Treasurer, and ALA Council Representative.
3. Use the link at the bottom of this candidate information page (also sent to you by e-mail) to vote.
4. Vote by midnight, May 13, 2019.
5. Thank all these excellent candidates for running for office!

Vice President/President Elect

    Kate Lasky

Name/Current Position and Library:

• Kate Lasky, Library Director, Josephine Community Library District

College and Post-Graduate Education (school, degree, year):

• San Jose State University, currently enrolled and working toward MLIS

• Northern Arizona University, Master of Education, 2010

• Northern Arizona University, Bachelor of Science in Education, 1997
  
  

OLA Involvement (Committee/Year)

• OLA Legislative Committee, 2014-present
• OLA Public Library Standards Committee, 2013-present
• OLA Public Library Division Board, 2016-2018
• OLA Ole' Award, 2015

Other Professional Involvement:

• Oregon Humanities Board of Directors, 2016-present
  
• Grants Pass and Josephine County Chamber of Commerce Legislative Committee, 2014-present
• American Library Association, 2011-present
• Rotary Club of Grants Pass, 2010-present
• American Leadership Forum of Oregon Fellow, 2016
• Ford Institute Leadership Program, 2012

Five Personal Characteristics that will contribute to your carrying out the OLA office responsibilities if elected:

• Honest
• Collaborative
• Innovative
• Rural
• Courageous

Statement of “Why I would like to work in this OLA position”:

I have been a member of the Oregon Library Association since 2011 and I have benefited both professionally and personally from the many relationships I’ve gained through the association. OLA has helped me to connect with some of the finest people I’ve ever met — all of whom have offered their mentorship, leadership, and friendship. It’s my turn to give back to this wonderful volunteer organization. From rebuilding library services in my rural community in southern Oregon to building statewide relationships with legislators and Oregon nonprofits, I hope my experience will help to continue the work of OLA’s past leaders. One thing is certain, we all need to work together to build a bright future for Oregon’s libraries. I would be honored to serve as OLA vice-president/president-elect in the coming year. 

Vice President/President Elect

  Sonja Somerville

 Name/Current Position and Library:  

College and Post-Graduate Education (school, degree, year):

• Drexel University, Masters of Library and Information Science

• The Ohio State University, Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Middle Eastern Studies

   

OLA Involvement (Committee/Year)

• Oregon Young Adult Network (2011-present): Publications Chair (2012); Chair (2014); Book Rave Coordinator (2013-present); Mock Printz Committee (2017-present)

• Public Library Division member (2012-present)

• OLA Annual Conference Committee, various years (Program Committee; Local Arrangements, etc.)
• Conference Presenter (many years 2006-present)
  
  

Other Professional Involvement:

• American Library Association member (2010-present)

• Public Library Division Inclusive Internship Initiative Mentor (2018)
• Young Adult Library Services Association Teens' Top Ten Panel Group Coordinator (2017-2018)
• Young Adult Library Services Association Writing Award Jury (2016)
• Oregon Battle of the Books: State Tournament Moderator (2014-2019); 6-8 Book Selection Committee (2016-present); 6-8 Question Writing Team (2017-present)
• Women Writing the West WILLA Award Judge (2010-present)

Five Personal Characteristics that will contribute to your carrying out the OLA office responsibilities if elected

• Leadership -- I like working with people and I'm good at getting them to take action.
• Great at Getting Stuff Done -- One of my best talents in charting the course between where we are now and our goals, and figuring out how to get us across the finish line.
• Creativity -- I have a lot of ideas, many of them pretty good, and I love encouraging creativity in other people.
• Communication -- From my careers in journalism to grant-writing to marketing/public relations and now librarianship, my ability to communicate well verbally and in writing has been the central pillar of my success.
• Humor and Hilarity -- I love to laugh and to make people laugh, which I believe is an asset in nearly every situation in life.

As I said when I accepted the nomination, “Why not?” It’s a job that needs to be done and it would be interesting to me. I owe a huge debt of gratitude to OLA and library staff across Oregon having learned so much, made so many friends, and received vast professional support since joining the staff of Salem Public Library in 2003, then earning my MLIS and taking my first job as a librarian in 2011. Also, I believe I would serve the organization well. I am creative, innovative, enthusiastic, open to lots of ideas, and endlessly, boundlessly passionate about the vital role of libraries in communities, on campuses, in schools, and within the organizations they serve.

 
Secretary

  Laura Baca

Name/Current Position/Library:

• Laura Baca, Adult Services Librarian - Cedar Mill Community Library

College and Post-Graduate Education (school, degree, year):

• Emporia State University, MLS, 2007

• Gonzaga University, B.A., English and French, 1999

OLA Involvement (Committee/Year):

• I have been a member of OLA since 2008, and served as webmaster for the 2014 conference

Other Professional Involvement:

• I have presented at the Oregon Virtual Reference Summit and Online Northwest

Five Personal Characteristics that will contribute to your carrying out the OLA office responsibilities if elected:

Statement of “Why I would like to work in this OLA position”:

I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to become more involved in the Oregon Library Association and to gain a deeper understanding of all that this professional organization does each year. The role of secretary struck me as an ideal place for me to jump in because of both my note taking skills and my collaborative nature. Please consider electing me to this position. 

 Secretary

 Graham Fox

Name/Current Position and Library:
       ● Graham Fox - Adult Services Community Librarian at Deschutes Public Library

• Emporia State University - Masters of Library and Information Management - 2012
• Kansas State University - Secondary Education, minor in Writing - 2007

OLA Involvement (Committee/Year):

• I am brand new to OLA but have been working at Deschutes Public Library for the past three years.

Other Professional Involvement:
Besides attending other library related conferences I’ve presented a poster at 2015’s joint KLA/MLA conference (Kansas Library Association / Missouri Library Association). I recently presented at the Deschutes, Crook, and Jefferson County library local conference. 

Five Personal Characteristics that will contribute to your carrying out the OLA office responsibilities if elected:

• Worked as everything from a page to branch management
• Driven to get results
• Organized and detail oriented
• Friendly and approachable attitude
• A great note taker

Statement of "Why I would like to work in this OLA position":

Thank you for considering me for the position of OLA Secretary. I’d like to give back to OLA and the librarians who OLA supports by being the best Secretary I can be for the next year. Although this is my first year of involvement with OLA I do have experience with the duties that are required of the OLA Secretary. By casual estimates I’ve ran over 1,400 meetings (ouch) over the past seven years, from daily 9.30 meetings to monthly staff meetings to special projects and conferences. I’ve taken notes and built agendas for the majority of these meetings. I also have a lot of experience as a technology and library instructional trainer that I know will serve me well in this position. Most importantly, I bring an easy-going positive attitude to everything I do. I’d love to use my skills to help make OLA a better place.

Treasurer

 Karen Muller

Name/Current Position and Library: 
       ● Karen Muller, Assistant Director, Hillsboro Public Library

College and Post-Grad Education (school, degree, year)

• Emporia State University, MLS, 2004

OLA Involvement (Committee/Year):

• OLA member, 2001-Present
  
• Public Library Division 2005-present
• Public Library Division Board, 2007-2018
• Public Library Division Chair, 2016-2017
• PLD Liaison to Legislative Committee, 2017-2018
• OLA Public Library Standards Committee, 2010-2018
• OLA Awards Committee, 2019

Other Professional Involvement:

• American Library Association
• Public Library Association
• Urban Libraries Council

Five Personal Characteristics that will contribute to your carrying out the OLA office responsibilities if elected:
     Organized, committed, responsible, effective, experienced

Statement of "Why I would like to work in this OLA position":

I have had the pleasure of serving OLA for many years through my involvement with PLD and the Standards Committee, along with other roles. Being involved in this awesome organization keeps me constantly inspired because of the work being done by my colleagues around the state, and I am honored to have the opportunity to work for you as OLA Treasurer.

As Assistant Director of the Hillsboro Public Library, I work closely with the library budget. I will bring this knowledge, along with my past experience as a bookkeeper, to the role of OLA treasurer and will work diligently to maintain the strong fiscal stewardship we already have in place. In addition, I look forward to representing and serving all Oregon libraries as a member of the Executive Board and to supporting the work being done in the state.  I very much want to continue to give back to OLA and my profession, so I hope you will vote for me for the position of OLA Treasurer.

Treasurer

  Lori Wamsley

Name/Current Position and Library: 
       ● Lori Wamsley, Faculty Librarian & Instruction Coordinator, Mt. Hood Community College

College and Post-Grad Education (school, degree, year)

• Oregon State University, PhD, Education
• Emporia State University, MS, Instruction Design & Technology
• Emporia State University, MLS, Library Science
• University of Portland, BBA, Business Administration

OLA Involvement (Committee/Year):

• OLA member, 2002-Present
  
• OLA Treasurer, 2017-2019
• OLA Finance/Investment Committee, 2014-present
• OLA International Relations Roundtable, Secretary 2012-2013; Chair-Elect/Chair/Past Chair, 2013-2016
• OLA Leadership Committee, 2018-present
• OLA LIOLA Chair, 2018-present
• OLA LIOLA Mentor, 2018-2019
• OASL Board, Higher Education Rep, 2013-2016

Other Professional Involvement:

• American Library Association, Member, 2002-present
• Association of College and Research Libraries, 2002-present
• L-net/Answerland Advisory Board 2009-2011
• Oregon State Library Board, 2016-current

Five Personal Characteristics that will contribute to your carrying out the OLA office responsibilities if elected:

• Collaborative
• Engaged
• Integrity
• Resilient
• Facilitator     

Statement of "Why I would like to work in this OLA position":

As an OLA member since 2002, I greatly appreciate the various opportunities OLA has given me to engage with and learn from the Oregon library community.  As OLA Treasurer, my primary goal is to sustain the robust financial position that OLA currently maintains, while also exploring ways for our organization to be fiscally efficient and responsible.  Being a financially solvent organization allows the OLA Board and its members to fulfill OLA’s mission and strategic plan, including supporting and advocating for Oregon librarians and libraries in all aspects of our work. Thank you for your support.

ALA Council Representative

  Kirsten Brodbeck-Kenney

Name/Current Position and Library: 
       ● Kirsten Brodbeck-Kenney, Director, Driftwood Public Library (Lincoln City)

College and Post-Grad Education (school, degree, year)

• Drexel University, Master's of Library and Information Science, 2004
• Kalamazoo College, BA in English, 2002

OLA Involvement (Committee/Year):

• Public Library Division Standards Committee: 2012-2013, 2018-present
• PLD Member at Large: 2015-2016
• PLD Chair elect/Chair/Past chair:  2016-present
• Intellectual Freedom Committee (IFC): Member at large, 2016-2018
• IFC Co-chair: 2018-present

Other Professional Involvement:

• Statewide Database Licensing Advisory Committee: 2014-16
• ALA Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Round Table, Over the Rainbow bibliography committee, 2019-2021
• Reviewer, GLBTRT blog, 2018-present

Five Personal Characteristics that will contribute to your carrying out the OLA office responsibilities if elected:

• Invested - I am proud to be a librarian and I expect the best from us and from our professional organizations.
• Outspoken - I don't shrink from speaking up.
• Attentive - I am tuned in to the issues libraries are experiencing in Oregon and nationwide. I listen well.
• Nimble - I am not set in my ways. I react to what's actually in front of me, not what I assume is there.
• Passionate - I believe in libraries' mission and I am all in.    

Statement of "Why I would like to work in this OLA position":

I am interested in this ALA Council position because Oregon libraries are facing the same issues as other libraries nationwide, and I want to ensure that we have a voice with our national organization. My work with PLD and the IFC has given me an intimate view of OLA. I have also dipped my toes in ALA with my GLBTRT work, and I think there’s a lot going on of interest that I would love to bring back to our local libraries. I think I can be an effective liaison and represent OLA and Oregon well.

ALA Council Representative

  Laura Kimberly

Name/Current Position and Library: 
       ● Laura Kimberly, Library Director, Newport Public Library

College and Post-Grad Education (school, degree, year)

• University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Masters of Library and Information Science, 2013
• University of Phoenix, Bachelor of Science in Communication, 2011.

OLA Involvement (Committee/Year):

• OLA member, OLA 2018 Conference Poster Session presenter 2018

Other Professional Involvement:

• Southern Oregon Library Federation/scholarship committee co-chair June 2018-March 2019,
• Nevada Library Association,
• Mountain Plains Library Association,
• Southern Oregon Runners Club/Secretary and Race Director January 2018-March 2019,
• City of Medford/Parking Commissioner February 2015-February 2019,
• Girl Scouts of America/Daisy and Brownie Troop Leader December 2014-December 2017 Reviewer,
• GLBTRT blog, 2018-present

 Five Personal Characteristics that will contribute to your carrying out the OLA office responsibilities if elected:

      Outgoing, integrity, tenacious, industrious and passionate   

Statement of "Why I would like to work in this OLA position":

It would be an honor to be elected and serve as the American Library Association Councilor. I would love the opportunity to advocate on behalf of the OLA and expand my understanding of the relationship between the Associations and participating association member groups. I hope to function in a capacity that eases the flow of communication, cooperation and fostering connections.

ALA Council Representative

 Suzanne Sager

Name/Current Position and Library: 
       ● Suzanne L. Sager, Cataloging Technician, Portland State University Library

College and Post-Grad Education (school, degree, year)

• University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, MLIS, 2005
• Portland State University, BA in History, 2001
• Clackamas Community College, AS in Accounting, 1984

• ALA Council Representative, 2007-2010, 2013-2016
• OLA Conference Communications Chair, 2008-2014
• OLA Conference Print Program Coordinator, 2014-2017
• OLA Financial Committee, 2014-Present
• OLA Leadership Committee, 2018-Present
• OLA Treasurer, 2001-2005
• Support Staff Division, Chair-elect/Chair/Past-Chair, 2005-2008
• Support Staff Division, Conference Committee, 2000, 2001 & 2003
• Support Staff Division, Member-at-Large, 2003-2005
• Support Staff Division, Recorder, 2001-2003

Other Professional Involvement:

• ALA, Chapter Relations Committee, 2014-2016
• ALA, Council Resolutions Committee, 2010
• ALA, Salaries and Status of Library Employees Committee, 2010-2011
• Estacada Public Library Board, President, 1999-2006 & 2013-2018
• Orbis Cascade Alliance, Cataloging Standing Group, 2017-Present
• Orbis Cascade Alliance, Norm Rules Standing Group, 2016-Present
• PSU, Library Emergency Preparedness Team, 2011-Present
• PSU, Space Planning Committee, 2018-Present
• PSU, Wellness Committee, 2015-Present

Five Personal Characteristics that will contribute to your carrying out the OLA office responsibilities if elected:

• Organized – I enjoy being as organized in everything I do.
• Responsibilities – I take my responsibilities seriously and try to do my best.
• Love for Libraries – I love libraries and they have played an important role in my life from the time I learned to read.
• Interested – I am interested in everything that is library related.
• Being Involved – I have been very fortunate in being involved in both public and academic libraries.  

Statement of "Why I would like to work in this OLA position":

I want to be elected as the ALA Council Representative so that I can represent the Oregon Library Association and its members in the American Library Association.  Although I work in an academic library, I have served on my local library’s Board of Directors.  I believe it is the responsibility of the ALA Council Representative to serve as the connection between the libraries in Oregon and ALA Council, while keeping OLA members informed of what ALA is doing.  I have served as the ALA Chapter Representative before and know what is expected to successfully serve in this role again.

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