Community has shaped my professional life in ways I didn’t always recognize in the moment. Looking back, however, it’s clear that it has been the constant thread—particularly during periods of change, uncertainty, and isolation.
For many librarians—especially those working solo or in very small teams—it’s easy to slip into an echo chamber. When you’re the only librarian, or one of very few, the feedback loop can become narrow. Decisions get made in isolation, ideas don’t get tested, and it can feel like you’re carrying responsibility without a sounding board. I’ve experienced this myself, and I know how limiting it can be.
That is why ACRL has mattered so much to me—and why it sits at the center of my candidacy for Vice-President/President-Elect.
At its core, my focus is on strengthening ACRL as a connected and inclusive community—one that breaks down silos across institution types and career stages, supports ethical and responsible innovation (including AI), and ensures librarians feel a genuine sense of belonging and opportunity. But for community to matter, it has to be operational, not aspirational.
Leadership Development as a Way Out of the Echo Chamber
One of the most common challenges I hear from colleagues—particularly early-career librarians and solo practitioners—is that leadership pathways can feel opaque. People want to contribute but aren’t always sure where to start, how to prepare, or whether their perspective is even welcome.
Clear leadership development pathways help break that echo chamber. When members understand how to step into service roles—and when those roles are supported rather than gatekept—new voices enter the conversation. Ideas get tested across contexts, not just within a single institution or department.
As Vice-President/President-Elect, I would focus on developing clearer, more visible leadership pathways within ACRL, working collaboratively with sections and committees to make participation more accessible and supported.
Mentorship as Infrastructure for Connection
Mentorship is especially critical for librarians who work in isolation. When you don’t have colleagues down the hall, professional growth can feel stalled or overly self-directed.
That’s why I see mentorship as infrastructure, not an informal extra. Building leadership development programs rooted in mentorship—such as structured mentoring cohorts, peer mentoring across career stages, and intentional connections between experienced leaders and newer members—creates multiple points of entry into the community.
Mentorship breaks echo chambers by introducing new perspectives, offering accountability, and providing space to think out loud with someone who understands the profession but isn’t embedded in your local constraints.
Innovation Grounded in Shared Learning
Ethical innovation, including the use of AI, also benefits from community. Librarians working solo shouldn’t have to navigate complex technological change in isolation. Leadership pathways and mentorship create opportunities to share practices, learn from one another’s experiments, and avoid reinventing the wheel.
When innovation is grounded in shared learning, it becomes less about risk and more about possibility—especially for those without large teams or extensive institutional support.
Turning Values into Action
Breaking down echo chambers requires intentional structures. If elected, my focus would be on working with ACRL leadership and members to:
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Develop leadership pathways that bring new and diverse voices into association governance
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Create mentorship-centered leadership development programs that support librarians across institution types and career stages
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Strengthen membership engagement so no one feels they are navigating the profession alone
Community doesn’t just help us grow—it helps us think more clearly, act more confidently, and remember that we don’t have to solve everything by ourselves.
I’m grateful for the community ACRL has provided throughout my career, especially during moments of isolation, and I’m committed to helping expand that sense of connection and shared leadership for others.
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