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, Elisa Gall.
Why did you join ALSC? How long have you been a member? Do you belong to any other ALA divisions or roundtables?
I first joined ALSC as a library school student in 2006. The ALSC Institute was in Pittsburgh (where I was living) that year, but I did not have the means to attend. One of my professors and mentors, Maggie Kimmel, helped me get in as a volunteer and even drove me back and forth from campus. It is because of her, and the mentorship of so many others, that I kept renewing my membership & sending in those committee volunteer forms over the years. I am grateful for their leadership and encouragement, because the connections and learning I’ve found through ALSC have been life-changing, both personally and professionally.
The ALA group I am most involved in outside of ALSC is the Coretta Scott King Book Award Committee of EMIERT. I am currently the Chair of the CSK Book Grant Standing Committee, which awards the CSK Book Awards Donation Grant each spring. The CSK Award will soon be celebrating its 50th anniversary – make sure you all save the dates for the forthcoming celebrations at ALA Annual 2019 in Washington, D.C.!
What strengths do you bring to the ALSC Board of Directors?
I think my greatest strengths are my sense of curiosity and my collaborative spirit. I am constantly pushing myself to think about what I might not know, or might not be considering, and working with others to do the same so that we can all grow together as we commit ourselves to the organization’s core values. Part of this means working to truly listen, especially in moments of discomfort, to my fellow members and those we serve. This type of relationship-building and information gathering isn’t always easy, but I believe that asking these questions, interrogating our lenses, and pushing against unjust systems is necessary. This also aligns well with the knowledge-based decision-making process that the board uses.
What have you learned – or what do you hope to learn – while serving on the Board?
I’m always learning. One thing I am especially excited about now is serving as Board Liaison for the Public Awareness Committee (or PAC). The PAC members are incredibly passionate, hardworking, and organized, and because of the nature of their committee charge they are aware of just about everything going on in ALSC. I have already learned so much about projects in the works, and I love seeing how different committees communicate and collaborate with the strategic plan, and specifically the children and families we serve, in mind.
What do you wish ALSC members knew about ALSC or about the ALSC Board of directors?
I hope everybody already knows this, but the ALSC staff works so hard. I am grateful for their efforts every day and constantly in awe of how much everybody is juggling, the quality of their work, and their non-stop enthusiasm and helpfulness.
ALSC members should reach out to me if…
Reach out to me about anything and everything. There is no question too small or silly. If I don’t have the information or know the answer right away, we’ll figure it out together. Won’t that be fun?