OLA 2021 Elections Candidate Information

Welcome to the Oregon Library Association's election website.

Instructions:
1. Scroll down to read about the candidates for each office: Vice-President/President-Elect, Secretary, and Treasurer.
2.  Information on the ballot measure to increase membership dues is found at the bottom of the page.
3. Use the link at the bottom of this candidate information page (also sent to you by e-mail) to vote.
4. Vote by midnight, May 25, 2021.
5. Thank all these excellent candidates for running for office!

Vice President/President Elect

    Marci Ramiro-Jenkins

Name/Current Position and Library:

• Marci Ramiro-Jenkins, Adult Services Librarian, Latino Community Liaison

College and Post-Graduate Education (school, degree):

• University of Brasilia-Brazil, Information Science, BA

OLA Involvement (Committee/Year):

• OLA EDI Task Force Chair / 2019-20
•  EDI Antiracism Special Committee Chair / 2020-21

Other Professional Involvement:

• REFORMA-OR
  
  

Five Personal Characteristics that will contribute to your carrying out the OLA office responsibilities if elected:

• Courageous
• Decisive
• Accountable
• Visionary
• Confident

Statement of “Why I would like to work in this OLA position”:

Vice President/President Elect

  Jerianne Thompson

 Name/Current Position and Library:  

College and Post-Graduate Education (school, degree):

• University of Tennessee, Masters of Information Sciences

• University of Tennessee, Bachelor of Arts in Communications

   

OLA Involvement (Committee/Year)

• Public Library Division Chair, 2018-2019

• Public Library Division Board, 2016-2020

• Public Library Standards Committee, 2018-2021
  
  

Other Professional Involvement:

• Tennessee Library Association Technical Services Roundtable, 2009-2011

• Tennessee Library Association Publications Advisory Board, 2009-2011
• American Library Association, 2008-present
• Rotary Club of Tualatin, 2019-present

Five Personal Characteristics that will contribute to your carrying out the OLA office responsibilities if elected

• Collaborative
• Facilitator
• Strategic
• Invested
• Pragmatic

I have a passion for public service, and I am passionate about the roles libraries play in serving our communities. I hope to bring my dedication and my leadership skills to the OLA Executive Board to further the great work that has been accomplished in recent years. We’re in challenging times; now more than ever our libraries need OLA’s support and advocacy. As president, I would take a collaborative approach to continue moving our organization towards a more equitable and inclusive future, with a focus on demonstrating the value of libraries. I embrace this opportunity to give back to OLA and its membership through this role.

Video Link:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OKZDZ2zxtmVXR6qPYihzeVf6UXMr2X30/view?usp=sharing

 
Secretary

  Star Khan

Name/Current Position/Library:

• Star Khan, Outreach Services Coordinator, Driftwood Public Library (Oct. 3, 2013 - Present)
  
  

College and Post-Graduate Education (school, degree):

• University of Phoenix, BS in Education

OLA Involvement (Committee/Year):

• Member, 2016-present

• Conference Presenter, 2017, 2018, 2019
• Conference Buddy, 2019
• OLA Board Member-at-Large, 2019-20
• REFORMA Oregon
  - Scholarship Chair, 2016-2018
  - Secretary, 2017-2018
  - Vice President, 2018-2019
  - President, 2019-2020
  - Mock Pura Belpré Selection Committee, 2017-2020
• Library Development & Legislation Committee, 2019-present

Other Professional Involvement:

• ALSC Equity Fellow, 2018-2019
• ALSC Public Awareness Committee, 2019-2020
• Libros for Oregon
  - Advisory Council, 2016-2018
  - Outreach, Traveler & Vendor Support, 2018-present
  - REFORMA Oregon Liaison, 2021-present
• REFORMA Capitulo de Puerto Rico Asamblea Anual Presenter, 2018
• OASL Conference Presenter, 2019

Five Personal Characteristics that will contribute to your carrying out the OLA office responsibilities if elected:

Statement of “Why I would like to work in this OLA position”:

I like meetings.  Seriously, I know it is strange, but I really do.  I enjoy listening to all the important information being shared and then summarizing it into neat little snippets that can then be shared out and easily understood by others, which is why the position of Secretary appeals to me so.  But what I really want to do is give back to OLA in any way that I can.  This organization has been an important avenue of support during my library career, providing me with professional development and collaboration opportunities, as well as a huge network of smart, passionate and dedicated colleagues to lean on.  We learn from each other, we support each other through difficult times and we encourage each other to keep moving forward.  But most importantly for me, as a person of color, OLA provides a safe space for REFORMA Oregon so that I can have a place to be my most authentic and diverse self.  That in itself is invaluable. 

I’ve had the pleasure of being a part of the library community at the State and National levels, and, while working within ALA provides its own unique experiences and opportunities, I always find myself coming back to the warm embrace and familiarity of OLA.  It’s like coming home and you know what they say: Home is where the heart is.  I see OLA as the heart of the Oregon library community and I would be honored to serve this truly amazing organization.  Thank you.

 Secretary

 Max Robinson

Name/Current Position and Library:
       ● Max H. Robinson - Graduate Student

• Emporia State University - MLS Candidate
• Eastern Connecticut University, B.S. in Communication

OLA Involvement (Committee/Year):

• OLA 2021 Virtual Conference Volunteer - Moderator & Technical Assistant
• OLA Membership Committee Volunteer since January 2021
• OLA Member since Fall 2020

Other Professional Involvement:
Since the Fall of 2020, I have served the Western Copyright Alliance as Student Outreach Assistant. The group is a grant funded project operating out of California State University, Chico, also collaborating with academic librarians from Arizona and Oregon. Within my role, I play a pivotal role in scholarly research, outreach, focus group facilitation, presentations, and publications.

Since the Fall of 2017, I have been a volunteer in several capacities for Oregon Public Broadcasting. My work with the organization has consisted of radio and television membership drives, concert assistance, hosting a weekly radio show, journalistic publications, and I am presently helping with weekly music meetings to review and discuss new and local sounds.

I am currently a member of the American Library Association, Association of College & Research Libraries, and the national Library Education Reform discussion group.

Five Personal Characteristics that will contribute to your carrying out the OLA office responsibilities if elected:

• Responsible
• Organized
• Thoughtful
• Creative
• Adaptable

Statement of "Why I would like to work in this OLA position":

As OLA Secretary, I will diligently maintain records of all OLA membership and executive meeting minutes. Additionally, I will act and respond in the best interest of Oregon librarians with my voting privilege on the Executive Board. My OLA hat will be on every time I enter a library, bookstore, or virtual networking opportunity. I will remind fellow Oregon library professionals of the services provided by the OLA, and work with the board to strengthen our network, creating and maintaining ethical library practices throughout the state.

Treasurer

 Stuart Levy

Name/Current Position and Library: 
       ● Stuart Levy, Teacher-Librarian, Parkrose High School, Portland, Oregon

College and Post-Grad Education (school, degree)

• Stanford University, BA in American Studies
• Stanford University, MA in Education
• Lewis & Clark College, School Administration program
• Portland State University, Educational Media program

OLA Involvement (Committee/Year):

• ORCA Committee member, 2010-2012
• ORCA Committee chair, 2012-2014
• OASL President, 2018-2019
• LIOLA Mentor, 2019

Other Professional Involvement:

• Answerland Advisory Committee 2008-2012
• OASL Treasurer 2011-2017
• OASL President-Elect/President/Past President 2017-2020

Five Personal Characteristics that will contribute to your carrying out the OLA office responsibilities if elected:

• Kind
• Organized
• Diligent
• Pleasant
• Deliberative

Statement of "Why I would like to work in this OLA position":

After spending six years as the OASL Treasurer, working with Shirley Roberts, the OLA Association Manager, and a variety of OLA Treasurers, I have a strong working knowledge of the current financial tracking and budgeting processes. As the OASL Treasurer, I was also a member of the OLA Finance-Investment Committee, so I also have a good understanding of the fiduciary responsibility that goes with the job. In addition, I have a strong commitment in ensuring that the OLA finances are clear and accessible to all of our members. My goal would be to increase transparency and member input where possible.

Treasurer

  Karen Muller

Name/Current Position and Library: 
       ● Karen Muller, Assistant Director, Hillsboro Public Library

College and Post-Grad Education (school, degree)

• BA, Education, Arizona State University
• MLS, Emporia State University

OLA Involvement (Committee/Year):

• Public Library Division Board, 2013-2018
• Public Library Division Board, Chair, 2016-2017
• OLA Standards Committee, 2012-2019
• PLD Liaison to OLA Legislative Committee, 2017-2018

Other Professional Involvement:

Five Personal Characteristics that will contribute to your carrying out the OLA office responsibilities if elected:

• Organized
• Committed
• Collaborative
• Communicative
• Community Focused   

Statement of "Why I would like to work in this OLA position":

I am excited to once again serve my Oregon Library community as Treasurer of OLA. My past time on various OLA committees has brought me so much personal and professional fulfillment and it is time to once again give back to the organization. As Assistant Director of the Hillsboro Public Library I am responsible for monitoring and preparing a $10 million budget, and I can bring my practical skills and passion for libraries to the role of Treasurer. I look forward to working with the OLA Executive Board to further the mission of all Oregon Libraries.

Ballot Measure - Membership Dues Increase

• Membership Dues

• OLA's membership dues have not changed since before the pandemic, in fact 2010, despite continual increases in expenses.  As a result, the OLA Executive Board recommended in their October 2020 meeting to increase individual membership dues by 2% every two years, starting in September 2021. This vote required approval of the OLA membership and will be included on the ballot along with the officer candidates.  Should this proposal pass, the table below shows what dues will be for the following two year periods.

To Vote Click Here