I want to take this opportunity, with my first blog post in this new role, to acknowledge the
dedication and hard work of our Immediate Past President, Jonda McNair.
In her tenure as President, Jonda guided the Board and the organization through an eventful year
in the world of children’s and youth librarianship. The rise of book challenges, ideological shifts
leading to an underappreciation of—and in some cases hostility towards—librarians, and
changes to ALA’s conferences and programming, have led to many questions and feelings of
uncertainty within the organization and the field, but ALSC has continued to thrive in face of it
all, due in large part to Jonda’s steadfast leadership and guidance.
In her first post as President, Jonda wrote that she hoped she would be a role model for me in the
same way that Amy was for her. After working together over the last year, I can definitively state
that Jonda has been a fantastic role model, and I will strive to show the same care, kindness, and
patience in my own tenure as President and in my own work with President-Elect Claudette
McLinn.
I also want to start out my term by saying a huge THANK YOU to the ALSC staff, the entire
Board, and the ALSC membership, for being so supportive. I was blown away by the words of
wisdom, offers of help and encouragement, and suggestions from everyone at Annual. I am
energized and ready to work with Claudette, the Board, and staff, to face the challenges ahead,
especially knowing that there is so much support from all of you incredible members, who make
ALSC the amazing organization it is.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Onwards!
Rob Bittner, PhD (He/Him)
President, Association for Library Services to Children