Don’t forget to vote for your NMRT Board representation as well as other ALA positions beginning March 8th through April 7th.
ALA election information can be found here!
Interview with Candidate: Michelle Osbourne
What do you hope to accomplish as part of NMRT’s leadership?
As a member of leadership, I hope to be instrumental in providing opportunities for involvement and/or training for professional engagement on the national, state, and local levels.
What do you enjoy most about your current position?
I am branch manager of the Gaston County Public Library, Stanley Branch and I enjoy mentoring my staff and empowering them to be future leaders.
What skills and/or experience would you bring to this position that would benefit NMRT and the profession overall?
I have 27 years of library experience and I have been a member of ALA for over 5 years. I am currently a Doctoral candidate at Gardner-Webb University in Organizational Leadership. My current leadership roles are chair of Student Chapter of the Year Award Committee and chair of the NMRT Nomination Committee.
(From the NMRT Membership Page) The New Members Round Table ( NMRT) provides a place for those members of the American Library Association (ALA) who are new to the library profession, new to ALA, or new to both. NMRT brings together people from all types and sizes of libraries and information centers, serving their diverse needs and interests as a gateway to the profession, pathfinder through ALA, and a stepping-stone to higher places. How would you support this in the role you applied for?
As a NMRT leader, I would look for opportunities to include diverse needs and interests through workshops and webinars.
What changes if any do you see need to happen for NMRT to make it more welcoming and inclusive to all?
I think NMRT is a great resource for new librarians. Integrating tools to network with others would be a great asset to the organization.
What changes if any do you see need to happen for NMRT to make it more welcoming and inclusive to all?
I would like to see more webinars and online professional development programs offered to the members of NMRT.