In this monthly feature, we profile ALSC Board members. We hope to offer information about the people who work to guide the organization so that you can feel more comfortable in reaching out to them with your concerns, questions, or comments. To continue this series, we invite you to meet ALSC Board member, Amy Sears.
Why did you join ALSC?
I was 4 the first time I told someone I wanted to be a children’s librarian. I was at my local library speaking to the children’s librarian who called me “Giggles.” Through my post college detour in children’s publishing, I first became aware of ALA and ALSC. So once I decided to stop talking about becoming a librarian and actually go to library school, I joined ALSC as a student member. When I started working at Brooklyn Public Library after library school, the library actively promoted and supported staff involvement in ALA and ALSC . I worked alongside many active ALSC members who were mentors.
How long have you been a member?
I’ve been a member on and off for over 25 years. However, I have been a member for 19 continuous years. Once I got more actively involved by serving on committee and attending conferences, I was hooked.
Do you belong to any other ALA divisions or roundtables?
Not currently. I have belonged to YALSA and PLA at various times in my career.
What strengths do you bring to the ALSC Board of Directors?
I ran for ALSC Board because I wanted to be part of the process of trying to figure out the future of ALSC and be more aware of the bigger picture. I bring with me the experience of having served on multiple ALSC committees. Most recently, I chaired the Membership Committee. This offered me the opportunity to really see and learn who was joining ALSC. It also gave me a chance to promote all of the things our division has to offer librarians and other library staff. My service on different grant committees has given me a sense of some of the amazing projects that ALSC members are doing in many different library settings. My previous work in a large urban system as well as my current position in a single suburban library which is part of a larger consortium has provided me with an awareness of some of the different issues that many ALSC members are facing. I know that I am here to represent all ALSC members not just myself. In doing so, I know that sometimes my opinions may be different from the popular ones, and I am willing to voice and argue them when I feel it’s relevant and important.
What have you learned while serving on the Board?
During this first year of Board service I have learned a few things:
- How amazing, fascinating, and dedicated my fellow Board members are
- How complex each board motion is and how much work and discussion goes into every one of them
- How many factors are considered when ALSC makes a decision and how many of those factors are beyond our control
- How complex the ALSC budget is
- How much work the ALSC staff does and how much more appreciative and in awe I am of each one of them
What do you wish ALSC members knew about ALSC or about the ALSC Board of directors?
I hope that members know that the Board’s decisions are not made in a vacuum or without much thought and discussion. We are there to represent ALSC members. We bring together people with diverse backgrounds who take the responsibility of being on the board and the decisions we make very seriously, and we are also very dedicated to the work involved. The ALSC Board is definitely one of those situations where the collective group is greater than the individuals. Not that we all aren’t pretty amazing on our own. But by coming together and listening to the various viewpoints, I feel we are stronger. I also wish/hope members know that there are so many ways to get involved with ALSC and stay informed–from serving on committees either virtually or in person, to keeping up-to-date through reading the ALSC blog or maybe even writing a post yourself, to taking online courses.
ALSC members should reach out to me if…
… they have questions about ALSC in general
… they have thoughts or ideas on where ALSC is now and what direction they think it should go in the future
… they are looking to become more involved in the organization