Oregon Library Association Units
Current Chairs and Purposes 

Divisions

Academic/ ACRL-Oregon
Candise Branum, Oregon College of Oriental Medicine (email)
The Academic Division/ACRL-Oregon seeks to foster communication among academic library personnel; to promote the development of Oregon's academic libraries; to sponsor educational programs of interest to academic library personnel; to serve as liaison between academic personnel and various other academic and library constituencies; and to advocate for academic libraries and library personnel on the state level.

Children's Services (CSD)
Deborah VanDetta, Chair, Estacada Library, (email)
Alec Chunn, CSD Webmaster (email)
The defining goal of the Children's Services Division is to champion children's literacy by supporting and providing continuing education for Oregon's children's librarians and support staff who work in children's services.

Oregon Association of School Libraries (OASL)
Laurie Nordahl, North Bend High School (email) 
The purpose of the Division is to improve education through the encouragement of the professional growth and status of its members and to promote, strengthen, and unify the school library programs in the State of Oregon.

Oregon Young Adult Network (OYAN)
Keli Yeats, Co-Chair, Multnomah County Library(email)
Rachel Timmons, Co-Chair, Hood River County Library District
OYAN is a non-profit, educational and informational organization whose goals are; to advocate for excellence in library services for young adults; to take a proactive role in providing library services to teens; and to provide a network for communication among those who work with teens.

Public Library Division (PLD)
Erin Wells, Milton-Freewater Public Library (email)
The purpose of the Public Library Division shall be to promote public library service and development, to promote the potential for increasing cooperation among public libraries, to represent the interests and concerns of public libraries in relation to the Oregon Library Association and the Oregon State Library, and to develop legislative priorities for public libraries and other issues as may be pertinent to the Division.

Support Staff (SSD)
Sare Webster, Beaverton City Library Library (email)
The purpose of the Support Staff Division shall be to provide a framework for information sharing, continuing education and moral support for all library support staff. Specifically, the aims are to provide a forum to encourage new ideas, discuss concerns and solve problems; promote awareness of library issues; inspire and promote professional growth through networking, conferences, workshops and mentoring; exchange ideas on processes, systems, and policies; provide a medium for the exploration of new ideas and technologies; foster cooperation among all Oregon libraries in all the various public and technical areas throughout the library; and to increase awareness in the library community of the evolving roles played by support staff.

back to top

Committees 
 

Communications
Charles Wood, Chair, Aloha Community Library, (email) 

OLA Hotline Co-editors:(email)
Michelle Lenox, Pacific University
Kristin Williams, Athena Public Library

OLA Quarterly Co-Chairs, Coordinators/Editors:
Charles Wood, Aloha Communtiy Library, (email)
Rachel Zill, Oregon State University Library, (email)

OLA Quarterly Editors: 
Bob Abbey, Forest Grove, PCC, (email)
Jillian Coy, Teen Librarian, Forest Grove, (email)
Katie Hart, Klamath County Library,  (email)
Erica Jensen, Lewis & Clark College,  (email)
Jim Jatkevicius, WCCLS,  (email)
Jennifer Kubus Wells   (email)
Anne LaVallee, Beaverton City Library, (email)
Norma Leistiko, Beaverton City Library,  (email)
Kathryn Rose McDonald, (email)
Dillon Peck, Salem Public Library,  (email)
Allison Reibel, Multnomah County Library,  (email)
Nicole Shuey, Jackson County Library Services, (email) 

OLA Tweeter/Twitter Admin:  Susan Davis, Josephine Community Library, (email)
OLA Facebook Admin: Charles Wood, (email)
OLA Association Manager:  Shirley Roberts, (email)

The Communications Committee oversees creation, distribution, and archival storage of the two main publications of the Oregon Library Association: The bi-weekly OLA Hotline and the OLA Quarterly journal.

Conference
Liisa Sjoblom, Deschutes County Library (email)
Plans and executes the program for the annual conference.

Finance / Investment
Lori Wamsley, OLA Treasurer, Mt Hood Community College Library (email)
Reviews all fiscal policies and procedures, responding to direction from the Executive Board. The Committee serves as the consulting body for the Treasurer, the Executive Board, and the Association Manager in such areas as Association investments, the budget, and other financial concerns of the Association.

Awards Committee
Elsa Loftis, Portland State University Library (email)
Solicits nominations for Association awards in various categories; makes selections of recipients

Intellectual Freedom
Kirsten Brodbeck-Kinney, Co-Chair, Lincoln City Public Library (email)
Aids the development of the Association's position on Intellectual Freedom, to interpret this position to the public, and to act in support of this position.

Leadership
Melissa Little, Beaverton Public Library, (email)
Oversees leadership development opportunities for the OLA membership, including creating and managing leadership trainings and programs, as well as serving as leadership mentors.

Library Development and Legislation
Buzzy Nielsen, Crook County Library, (email)
Establishes plans for improvement of libraries in Oregon through study and recommendation of plans for the use of state and federal funds; exploration of other sources of funding, e.g., foundation grants. Establishes priorities for legislative action which may affect all types of libraries in Oregon.

Membership
Lacey Legel, Multnomah County Library (email)
Endeavors to secure new members for the Association by contacting librarians and others interested in library service in Oregon. Special effort should be made to contact those new to the state and the profession to express OLA's interest in them and to explain what the Association can offer them.

Nominations
Esther Moberg, Seaside Public Library (email)
Shall have charge of the conduct of the regular and special elections and the counting and tabulation of all votes cast. Will submit a press release to the OLA Hotline for the January issue requesting suggestions for nominees and petition nominees; will determine a slate of nominees in February; will submit candidates' statements for the OLA Hotline in the April issue; will insure that candidates are introduced and that information about the candidates is available at the annual conference.

Oregon Authors
Ann-Marie Anderson, Co-chair, Tigard Public Library (email)
Crystal Garcia, Co-Chair, Sherwood Public Library (email)
Collects and preserves bibliographical data on Oregon authors.

Oregon Reader's Choice Award
McKenzie Ross, Beaverton City Library (email)
The ORCA is intended to be a fun and exciting way for Oregon youth in grades 4-12 to become enthusiastic and discriminating readers.  During the course of the school year, Oregon students choose their favorite book in a real-life democratic process.

Resource Sharing
John Hunter, Woodburn Public Library (email)
Fosters the sharing of library resources - materials, services and expertise - among all types of libraries, and assesses ways to improve service to Oregonians through resource sharing.  Manages the Oregon Library Passport Program. 

back to top

Round Tables

Documents Interest Group (DIGOR)
Sara Rowland, Eastern Oregon University (email)
The objectives of DIGOR are to provide opportunities for communication, education and cooperation among the government information library community, and to improve access to government information by all.


International Relations (IRRT)
Jian Wang, Chair, Portland State University (email)
The objectives of this organization shall be to provide a framework for information sharing of librarians, library workers, and library supporters interested in international librarianship activities of all types of libraries. The specific aims of the IRRT are to increase the communication of OLA members from all types of libraries about the international visits, exchanges, and special programs in which OLA members are involved. To increase the general awareness of contributions made by Oregon librarians at the international level, IRRT will sponsor programs at the conference of the Oregon Library Association.

Legal Reference 
Sue Ludington, Chair, Lane County Law Library (email)
The objectives of this organization shall be to provide a practical framework for information sharing, continuing education opportunities, professional interactions, and a support system to those library workers engaged in providing legal reference services in all types of Oregon libraries. This organization shall aim to share ideas, plan, and improve legal reference services in and among libraries and foster fellowship, cooperation, and professionalism among its members. 

Library Assessment (LART)
Vacant
Provides a practical framework for information sharing, continuing education opportunities, professional interactions, and a support system to those library workers engaged in library assessment in all types of Oregon libraries. This organization shall aim to share ideas, plan, and improve library assessment activities in and among libraries and foster fellowship, cooperation, and professionalism among its members

Library Instruction (LIRT)
Kim Olson-Charles, Concordia University Library (email)
The Library Instruction Round Table is formed to promote library instruction as a means to empower library users to become life-long learners; to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas and materials; to foster continuing educational opportunities; and to promote cooperation and fellowship among OLA members engaged in library instruction.

Library Preservation (LPRT)
Vacant
The objectives of this organization shall be to provide a framework for the sharing of information among librarians, library workers, and library supporters interested in preservation activities in all types of libraries. The specific aims of the LPRT are to facilitate communication among OLA members from all types of libraries about the importance of the preservation of library materials and to increase the general awareness of preservation activities in libraries. In pursuit of its aims the LPRT will sponsor programs at the annual conference of the OLA and organize workshops and training related to preservation activities and disaster response planning.

Library Technology  (LibTechRT)
Vacant
The Library Technology Round Table will create and build a community of library technologists within OLA. The objectives of the group are to 1) offer a centralized forum for the exchange of ideas involving the use of technology in libraries 2) provide training and educational opportunities on technology issues, topics and tools 3) raise the capacity of OLA members to share advice, research and support for library technology initiatives and 4) promote cooperation and fellowship among OLA members who are responsible for or interested in technology in libraries.

New Member (NMRT)
Alison Ihrke, Clackamas Community College (email)
The New Member Round Table will engage and encourage information professionals within OLA who wish to discover more about the organization.  The New Member Round Table will enrich the existing OLA ranks, while inspiring emerging information professionals.  Our objectives are to 1) help association members become more actively involved and integrated within OLA and  2) advance the overall professional development of 21st century librarians, library staff, and information professionals.

Northwest Central(NWCRT)
Vacant
Will provide a means for sharing continuing education events and resources for library staff throughout Oregon via the Northwest Central website. The specific aims of the round table are to: 1)harvest continuing education content for an events calendar, 2) act as a repository for OLA conference materials, 3) provide a platform through which the library community can publicize events and resources, and 4) collaborate with the library community in Oregon

Outreach (ORT)
Alice MacGougan, Newport Public Library, (email)
To provide a framework for information sharing, continuing education and moral support for library workers currently providing outreach services; and to offer opportunities for networking and encouragement to libraries wishing to expand or develop library outreach services.

Past Presidents Round Table (PPRT)
Vacant
The objectives of this organization shall be: 1) to enliven the OLA conference by working for the participation of all OLA members in the programs and activities of the conference; 2) to encourage library administrators, library staff and library supporters to be actively involved in professional library activities at the local, state, regional, or national level, and; 3) to support the office of OLA President.

Reference (RRT)
Joanna Milner, Multnomah County Library (email)
The objectives of this organization shall be to provide a practical framework for information sharing, continuing education opportunities, professional interactions, and a support system to those library workers engaged in reference services in all types of Oregon libraries. This organization shall aim to share ideas, plan, and improve reference services in and among libraries and foster fellowship, cooperation, and professionalism among its members.

Star Khan, Co-chair, Driftwood PublicLibrary (email)
The main purpose of the REFORMA Oregon Chapter is to promote the advancement, growth, improvement, and implementation of library and information services to the Latino and the Spanish speaking community in the State of Oregon.  As a round table RORT will provide a space for sharing information, continuing education opportunities, resources, networking, and supporting librarians around the state to better the quality of services and programs for the Latino/Spanish speaking community.


Social Responsibilities (SRRT)
Vacant
Being socially responsible implies that we have an ethical obligation to act in the best interest of those in our society. The SRRT provides a place for discussion and learning about how we can serve our communities in a socially responsible way. Respect for diversity, equitable service, and understanding needs-in-context through community involvement are core values of this round table.

Staff Training Round Table (STRT)
Tracey Letmate Chair, Multnomah County Library (email)
The Staff Training Round Table (STRT) is a resource for any library staff member who is involved with staff training at their library. Membership in this group will allow libraries across the state to discuss current training issues and best practices, share resources, and collaborate on building future training to meet the needs of an ever-evolving profession.

Technical Services (TSRT)
Amy Mihelich, Washington County Co-op Library Services (email)
The objectives of this Round Table shall be to provide a framework for information sharing, continuing education and moral support for library workers currently engaged in technical services activities. Specifically, the aims are to provide for the exchange of ideas on technical services and automation processes, systems, and policies; to provide a medium for the exploration of new ideas and technologies; to foster cooperation among all Oregon libraries in the areas of technical services and automation; and to increase an awareness in the library community of the roles of technical and automation services.

back to to

Taskforces 

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Task Force
An Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Task Force was created at the August 2019 OLA Board meeting with the charge of developing an EDI Plan for the Association.  The purpose of the EDI Plan is to affirm OLA’s commitment to EDI and set direction for OLA by identifying EDI priorities and strategies to achieve them. The plan will provide immediate actions OLA may undertake, as well as inform strategic planning, Vision 2030, and other initiatives of OLA.  

back to top