When I think about the role of ACRL in my professional life, I keep coming back to one word: community.
From Struggling to Belong to Finding My Place
I didn’t find my path into ACRL overnight. Year after year, I applied to join committees. I carefully selected areas of interest, explained how I could contribute, and waited—only to find I wasn’t selected. It was discouraging, as you can probably relate if you’ve ever put yourself forward and wondered why the door wasn’t opening.
I remember attending the annual Membership Committee session and hearing the advice: don’t select everything, be intentional, and clearly show how you can contribute. It still didn’t happen right away. It wasn’t until I reached out to a colleague at the University of Utah, where I had once worked, that things changed. That colleague happened to be helping select members for a brand-new committee, New Roles and Changing Landscapes, and I was invited to serve.
If you’ve ever had that moment when belonging finally clicks, you’ll know how powerful it is. For me, it wasn’t just being appointed—it was showing up week after week, joining subcommittees, and contributing alongside others that made me realize: I wasn’t just on a committee, I was part of a community.
Why Now
This candidacy was completely unexpected. I was on a hike when I received the email from the LRNC chair, and I almost fell down. I knew my answer would be yes, but like many of you might do, I reached out to trusted friends for advice. That instinct—to gather wisdom from people who have been there before—is exactly why ACRL is so powerful. Without this community, I wouldn’t have had the network to lean on.
Service has always been at the center of how I approach my work. Whether at my institution or in the profession, I’ve rarely said no to opportunities to help. I see association work as essential to keeping us healthy—not only at the micro level of our libraries and the macro level of higher education, but also at the community level where libraries serve as anchors, and at the policy level where decisions shape equity, access, and the future of our profession. Saying yes to this role is my way of giving back to the organization that has given me so much.
My Vision for ACRL
If I had to summarize my vision in one sentence, it would be this:
ACRL must be a community that breaks down silos, amplifies individual voices, and embraces innovation—like AI—in ways that prepare librarians for the challenges ahead and democratize access to knowledge. I know some may worry that AI will replace the work we do. But I see it differently: librarianship is, and always will be, about people. AI cannot replace our values, our judgment, or our role in building communities of learning. What it can do—if we guide it ethically—is help us remove barriers, free up time for higher-value work, and expand access for students who might otherwise be left out. When used responsibly, AI has the power to democratize access to discovery, research support, and learning opportunities, ensuring that all students—not just those at well-resourced institutions—benefit equally.
If you’ve ever felt siloed at work, you know how easy it is to fall into the echo chamber of your own thoughts. I’ve been there too. What breaks that cycle is connection—hearing other perspectives, learning from colleagues across geographies, institutions, and roles. That’s what ACRL has given me, and it’s what I want to help expand for others.
Community doesn’t just help us grow; it helps us heal. Many of us have worked in toxic workplaces. I have too. What made a difference for me was finding solidarity in ACRL—people who understood, who shared their own struggles and successes, and who reminded me I wasn’t alone.
Creating Spaces of Belonging
Creating spaces where everyone feels valued isn’t an abstract principle—it’s something we practice together.
Much of my work has focused on addressing difficult dynamics in academic libraries, including editing a collection with ACRL on this very issue. Like many of you, I’ve worn many hats at once. After COVID-related reductions in staffing, I became both director and frontline worker. It would have been easy to stay in my own head, to just listen to my own voice. But ACRL gave me colleagues who challenged, supported, and taught me.
What matters most is building communities where we can share openly, lift one another up, and ensure every member has a genuine sense of belonging and purpose.
What I Bring to the Role
Over my career, I’ve worked in small liberal arts colleges, R1s, historical societies, and specialized libraries--as I do know. Many of you have had similar shifts across institutions, and you know how much perspective each one brings. What I’ve learned is this: every voice matters, and we are strongest when we learn from one another.
Here are some of the commitments and experiences I would carry forward into ACRL leadership:
- Addressing Toxic Dynamics: Like many of you, I’ve seen the challenges of difficult workplaces. I believe naming these realities is the first step toward building healthier organizations.
- Innovation with Equity: I’ve worked to embed AI and new technologies into teaching and learning in ways that are responsible and inclusive.
- AI and Democratization of Access: Many of us worry about how technology widens gaps. I want to ensure it narrows them—expanding discovery and making knowledge more accessible regardless of institution size or resources.
- Collaborative Collections: I’ve seen how collective work benefits us all when done equitably.
- Mentorship & Growth: Like so many of you, I’ve been shaped by mentors. I want to pay that forward by supporting students, early-career librarians, and colleagues in finding their voice.
Looking Ahead
As Vice-President/President-Elect, I would focus on:
- Expanding leadership opportunities for early-career and underrepresented librarians.
- Making beloning a lived practice across ACRL’s committees, programs, and governance.
- Building bridges so small colleges, R1s, and specialized libraries all contribute to and benefit from our shared work.
- Positioning ACRL as a leader in ethical and innovative responses to technology and change.
- Championing the democratization of access to knowledge through thoughtful, equitable use of AI and other emerging technologies.
- Strengthening community as a way to counter toxic workplaces, promote resilience, and create healthier organizations.
A Call to the Community
If you’ve ever felt siloed, overlooked, or alone in your work, I want you to know that you’re not alone—and that ACRL can be the place where those feelings are replaced by belonging, connection, and empowerment.
Over the coming weeks, I’ll be sharing reflections on breaking echo chambers, practicing DEI through action, and creating leadership pathways for all members. I hope you’ll join the conversation, share your own experiences, and help shape the future of ACRL with me.
If you remember just one thing about my candidacy, let it be this: I am committed to making ACRL a community where we break echo chambers, dismantle toxic dynamics, embrace innovation, and strengthen our profession together.
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