![\"Marge](\"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/03\/Marge-150x150.jpg\" "\\"Marge")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
1. What do you consider the most important role of the ALSC President?<\/b><\/p>\n
Although it is a multi-faceted position, one of the most important roles to me is to bring people together within the division and association to support the importance of library work with children and to move this agenda forward. <\/p>\n
What strengths would you bring to the office?<\/b><\/p>\n
The years on ALSC committees (both process and award), as a priority consultant and on the board have given me a deeper knowledge of how ALSC works. That, coupled with a sense of humor and a love of networking and collaboration, are the strengths I would bring to the VP\/Prez position.<\/p>\n
2. Why should someone choose to join ALSC?<\/b> <\/p>\n
I think ALSC is on the cutting edge of excellence in service to kids. We seek out, model and publicize outstanding programs and materials. ALSC is where the action is for children’s library services on a national level.<\/p>\n
What services do you feel ALSC provides that are valuable to new members? To long-term members?<\/b><\/p>\n
The most important service we offer for our new and our long-term members – of the many things we do – is an opportunity to participate on a national level and opportunities to network with colleagues and, through the division work that is done, to develop leadership skills. We support excellence in library service and that support is available to all our members through the projects, bibliographies and media evaluation awards that member leaders work on.<\/p>\n
3. If elected, what topic would you like to highlight for either a preconference or the Charlemae Rollins President’s Program?<\/b><\/p>\n
It is hard to pin down to one topic. Networking and partnerships have been a passion of mine for many years. That coupled with providing a faster pathway to leadership for our newer and younger members and involving our many members who cannot afford to attend our national conferences but still deserve a place at the table of decisions are very important issues for me.<\/p>\n
4. How has ALSC membership impacted your life?<\/b><\/p>\n
For the twenty-three years I worked at a small library, being an ALSC member let me have a place to work on and affect issues of importance nationally. It was great to know that even coming from a small library, I could help participate to create and support great children’s services. I learned leadership skills and worked with colleagues who have become lifelong friends. By networking with so many people I learned new ways to approach issues and concerns, new programs and new ways to evaluate books that I use in my library work with my community every day.<\/p>\n
How has your membership in ALSC impacted library service to children?<\/b><\/p>\n
Like each and every ALSC member who participates on any committee, I have been part of the great gestalt that has moved ALSC forward and helped chart the course of great services for kids over the twenty years I have been an active member. It is truly a case of together we can make something better. I am proud to have been able to have a small part in this along with so many men and women over the past two decades.<\/p>\n