2   iNFOrMAtiON tecHNOlOGY AND liBrAries  |  MArcH 2011

program that would provide for educating mentees about 
LITA, sharing of areas of expertise and awareness, and 
develop a network of professionals.

Dialogue on the LITA electronic discussion list and 
conversations with committee and interest group chairs 
suggests a desire and need for leadership training. The 
Membership Development Committee is addressing the 
need for mentors in LITA 101 and LITA 201 held at ALA 
Annual Conferences and Midwinter Meetings. LITA 
leadership, including the Membership Development 
Committee, Committee and Interest Group Chairs, the 
Education Committee, LITA Emerging Leaders, and 
others, will be included in an ongoing dialogue to see 
how and what can be implemented from the LITA 
Leadership Institute and the LITA Mentorship Program 
recommendations as submitted by the 2009 Emerging 
Leaders Team T. 

Follow-up by LITA to implement the recommendations 
of emerging leader projects is important to the vitality 
and longevity of the association. Since 2007, a number 
of projects have been developed by Emerging Leaders. 
Information about the projects is available at the follow-
ing locations online: 

■■ The ALA website: 
http://www.ala.org/ala/educationcareerleader 
ship/emergingleaders/index.cfm

■■ ALA Connect: 
http://connect.ala.org/emergingleaders

■■ Facebook: 
http://www.facebook.com/pages/ALA-Emerging 
-Leaders/156736295251?ref=ts/

■■ The Emerging Leaders blog: 
http://connect.ala.org/2011emergingleaders

■■ The Emerging Leaders Wiki: 
http://emergingleaders.ala.org/wiki/index.php 
?title =Main_Page

I
n 2006, ALA President Leslie Burger implemented six 
initiatives, including an Emerging Leaders program 
that is now in its fifth year. The initiative was designed 

to prepare librarians who are new to the profession in 
leadership skills that are applicable on the job and as 
active leaders within the association. LITA is sponsor-
ing 2011 emerging leaders Bohyun Kim and Andreas 
Orphanides. Bohyun is currently digital access librarian 
at the Florida International University Medical Library. 
Andreas is currently librarian for digital technologies 
and learning at the North Carolina State University 
Libraries. As of the writing of this column, the projects for 
2011 have not been assigned. Additional LITA members 
accepted into the 2011 ALA Emerging Leaders Program 
include Tabatha Farney, Deana Greenfield, Amanda 
Harlan, Colleen Harris, Megan Hodge, Matthew Jabaily, 
Catherine Kosturski, Nicole Pagowsky, Casey Schacher, 
Sibyl Schaefer, Jessica Sender, and Andromeda Yelton. 

LITA provides an ideal environment for its members 
to enhance their skills. In 2009, Emerging Leaders Team 
T developed a project “Making it Personal: Leadership 
Development Programs for LITA,” working in consulta-
tion with the LITA Membership Development Committee. 
Team members included Amanda Hornby (University 
of Washington), Angelica Guerrero Fortin (San Diego 
County Library), Dan Overfield (Cuyahoga Community 
College), and Lisa Carlucci Thomas (Yale University). 

The Team T members recommended the creation of 
“an online continuing education program to develop 
the leadership and project management skills necessary 
to maintain and promote the value and ability of 
LITA’s professional membership to the greater librarian 
population.” Outcomes for the training would include 
project-management and team-building skills within a 
context that focuses on the development and application 
of technology in libraries. The team members also 
recommended the establishing of a LITA mentorship 

Karen J. starr (kstarr@nevadaculture.org) is lita President 
2010–11 and assistant administrator for library and develop-
ment Services, nevada State library and archives, carson city.

Karen J. Starr

President’s Message: Membership, 
Leadership, Emerging Leaders, and LITA