SELA Officer Election 2009-2010

2009-2010 CANDIDATES FOR SELA OFFICE

Candidate for President-Elect:

Name:                Michael Seigler

Education:  Florida State University (B.S. in Education 1970, M.S. in Library Science 1974); Atlanta Law School (J.D. 1980)

Experience (beginning with current position):  Smyrna Public Library, Georgia (Director - 1995 to present); Pine Mountain Regional Library, Georgia (Extension Services Librarian to Associate Director - 1988 to 1995); Charlotte-Glades Library System, Florida (Librarian III - 1983 to 1984); Atlanta Law School, Georgia (Director - 1979 to 1981); Leesburg Public Library, Florida (Technical Services Librarian to Director - 1974 to 1977) 

Professional Affiliation/Activities:  American Library Association (member of SRRT and IFRT); Southeastern Library Association (currently Georgia Representative, served as member and chair of committees); Georgia Library Association (President 2000, Vice President 1999, Parliamentarian 1997, Secretary 1994, chaired several committees);  Georgia Library Video Association (President 1991-92); Metro Atlanta Library Association (President 1998, Vice President 1997);  Florida Library Association (New Members Roundtable, Chair 1977).

Statement of Professional Concern:
When I graduated from library school 34 years ago, the country was in a mild recession.  Then, as now, libraries were underfunded and struggling to meet the needs of their communities.  The one thing that got them through then was our incredible ability to cooperate and share resources.  Unfortunately, libraries are potentially looking at even more difficult times now.  Nationwide there have been reductions in staffing, hours and funding.  Librarians are relying on shared resources to meet ever increasing user demands and that’s where SELA plays an important role.  SELA provides a region-wide forum for librarians and an economical source of continuing education.  Sharing ideas and developing professional relationships will carry us through to the good times and SELA will help us get there.

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Candidate for Secretary:

Name:                    Elizabeth M. Doolittle

Education: Black Hills State University (B.S. in History 1979); Louisiana State University (MLS 1984)

Experience: (beginning with current position): Head of Public Services at The University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Park (2004- to date); Head of Public Services at Hollins University (1998 – 2004); Nichols State University (1990 – 1998); US Army Engineering School Library (1986 – 1990); Department of Housing and Urban Development Information Office (1984 – 1986).

Professional Affiliation/Activities: American Library Association (member RUSA [Management of Reference Committee] and CLENERT); Southeastern Library Association (Colleges and University Section, Authors Awards Committee, Circulation and Reserve Roundtable chair, Membership and Mentoring Committee, Interstate Cooperation Committee co-chair); Mississippi Library Association (Archives and History Committee, Authors Awards Committee).

Statement of Professional Concern: 
I have always believed that librarians know that libraries are about people. Libraries support their individual communities by supporting the people in those communities, Professional organizations support people too, in this case SELA supports librarians. With a faltering economy and budget cuts on everyone’s table it is even more important then every that librarians have somewhere to turn for professional support. I believe SELA individual librarians more then most. The mentoring program is a wonderful example of how SELA continues to reach out to librarian. The specific committees offer topics and the opportunities to work on areas of interest. Because SELA is a regional organization it will gain in importance as budgets tighten and travel for librarians becomes even more limited. SELA is affordable, local, and offers support and possibilities for development and growth for librarians at all levels of their careers. I have been a strong support of SELA since 1997 because I believe in what it does.

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Candidate for Treasurer:

Name:                    Gordon N. Baker

Education: Clayton State University (Associate of Arts, 1973), Valdosta State University (B.S. in Education, 1975), Clark Atlanta University (Master of Science in Library Service, 1978), Clark Atlanta University (Specialist in Library Service, 1981), Nova Southeastern University (Doctor of Education, 1997)

Experience: (beginning with current position):  Clayton State University Library, Georgia (Director – 2006 to present; Interim Director – 2005-2006; Head of Public Services – 2004-2007; Part-time Reference Librarian – 1979-2004); Henry County School System, Georgia (Lead Library Media Specialist Luella High School – 2003-2004; System Level Coordinator of Instructional Technology & Library Media Services – 2001-2003; Director of Library & Technology Services Union Grove High School – 2000-2001; Director of Library & Technology Services Eagle’s Landing High School – 1990-2000; Library Media Specialist Henry County Junior High School – 1989-1990.); Clayton County Schools, Georgia (Library Media Specialist Edwin S. Kemp Elementary School – 1983-1989; Library Media Specialist George M. Kilpatrick Elementary School – 1977-1983; Classroom Teacher Morrow Elementary School – 1976-1977) Griffin-Spalding County Schools, Georgia (Classroom Teacher & Library Media Specialist Beaverbrook Elementary School – 1975-1976).

Professional Affiliation/Activities:  American Library Association(member of AASL, ALTA, and ACRL; member of National Library Week Subcommittee, member of Chapter Relations Committee, member of Campaign for America’s Libraries Subcommittee); Southeastern Library Association (currently Secretary and Administrative Services Coordinator) Georgia Library Association (President 2003, President-Elect 2002, Treasurer 1999-2002, committee chair, Administrative Services Co-Chair; recipient of Nix-Jones Award and Bob Richardson Award); Georgia Association for Instructional Technology (President 1995; publications editor 1997- present; recipient of GAIT Distinguished Service Award, Walter S. Bell Award, and Juanita Skelton Award); Georgia Library Media Association (President 1982-83; Georgia Elementary School Media Specialist of the Year 1988; Recipient William E. Patterson Service Award; 2002 Georgia Media Specialists of the Year Enabler).

Statement of Professional Concern:
As our world settles more into the age of the Internet, may believe that libraries are a thing of the past.  It is up to the librarians of the world to provide individuals not only with techniques to do research in a “print” library, but also to provide individuals with the techniques to search the world wide web.  Librarians have always been viewed as guides or teachers and we must reaffirm that belief.  Public schools are now beginning to reduce library/media specialists.  Some systems have eliminated elementary school library/media specialists entirely.  It is key that the elementary school students be taught the proper search techniques to make them life long learners.  Through membership in SELA, we are able to exchange ideas, work together, and network.  It is up to us, to keep SELA and our libraries viable as we continue in the 21^st century.