ALA Election 2009

ALTAFF Candidates:

TRUSTEE CHAIR ELECT

ROBERTSON, MABLE W., Degrees and Certifications: Pace University, M.S., 1974; Fort Valley State University, B.S., 1965. Current Position: TRUSTEE, BROOKLYN PUBLIC LIBRARY, 1993-present. Previous Positions: Education Analyst, Public Advocate for City of New York, 2007-Present. ALA Activities: FREEDOM TO READ FOUNDATION: MEMBER, 2008-Present; ALTAFF: MEMBER, 2008-Present; BCALA: MEMBER, 2004-Present; ALTA: Speaker, Intellectual Freedom, 2000-Present; ALTA: 2nd Vice president, Executive Committee, 2006-07; ALTA: Member, Education, 2004-07; REFORMA: MEMBER, , 2005-06; ALTA: Chair, Legislative, 2003-06; ALTA: Member, SOS, 2001-03. Offices Held outside of ALA: NYLA: NY Representative, LOBBY DAY, 2000-08; NYSALB: DIRECTOR, BOARD OF DIRECTORS, 1990-2005. Publications: Contributor, ALTA's "THE VOICE", 2006; CONTRIBUTOR, "NYSALB TRUSTEES," 2002. Honors, Awards, Prizes, Medals, Citations: COMMENDATION from Office of NYC Comptroller, 2008; Community Service from WEEKSVILLE Heritage Society, 2008; ALTA Certificate of Appreciation, 2007; Award for 13 YEARS of dedicated SERVICE as a TRUSTEE at BPL, 2006; Commendable Service to the Church and the Community, 1998; Silver Beaver Award for Distinguished Service to YOUTH (BSA), 1987; Education Award from Key Women of America, Inc., 1983. Accomplishments: Mable W. Robertson was appointed to the Brooklyn Public Library Board of Trustees in 1993 by then Borough President Howard Golden and reappointed in 2006 and subsequent to that by Borough President Marty Markowitz. Mable is a former New York City Principal and educator; she has served in a variety of positions for over 30 years. She is presently employed as Education Analysis in the Office of the Public Advocate for the City of New York. Mable is currently BPL's liaison to the Heart of Brooklyn Board. A member of ALA, ALTAFF, BCALA, Freedom of Information Foundation, NY Association of Black Librarians and NYLA. Mable was elected in 2008 to the position of Chair of the Commission of Retired Educators by the members of the National Alliance of Black School Educators. She has served as President-elect for ABENY, Inc. and has served in the position of 2nd Vice President of the Association for Library Trustees and Advocates. She served for many years as a Director on the Board of NYSALB. She is a Team Player!  

STATEMENT: I believe that Libraries are needed now more than ever; especially during this period of economic disaster. We need EACH and EVERYONE who has ever used a Library to make it known to the Local, State and National Leaders and Elected Officials that we need funds to keep the doors of our Libraries open for our Communities and for our future leaders- OUR CHILDREN! YES! We MUST broadcast the Mission of the Libraries and tell ALL that these Places where everyone in the community can gather to obtain knowledge, find answers and make dreams come true must be funded and maintained if our communities are to survive. WE MUST STAND TOGETHER!!!!

MCDONALD, DONNA, Degrees and Certifications: University of Oklahoma, MLIS, 1999; University of Arkansas, BA; Political Science, 1979. Current Position: Director, Arkansas River Valley Regional Library System, 1999-present. Previous Positions: Branch Manager, Charleston Public Library, 1979-99. ALA Activities: ALTA/ALTAFF: Chair, Publishing Committee, 2008; ALTA/ALTAFF: Co-presenter, Annual Session on Board Member Self Evaluation, 2008. Offices Held outside of ALA: Arkansas Library Association: Chair, Legislative Committee, 2008-Present; Arkansas Library Association: Chair, Public Library Division, 2000.

STATEMENT: Since 2005, I have had the pleasure of serving on the Arkansas State Library Board, with two of those years as Chair. I am both Trustee and Librarian. Every day I am privileged to see the remarkable work of library advocates. With the creation of ALTAFF, Library Trustees, Friends and Foundation members have a great opportunity to work together in advocating for strong libraries across America. We need well informed, organized and committed members and we need them now more than ever. 

DIVISION COUNCILOR

STATEMENT: As a long time involved Trustee both locally, state-wide and nationally I have been privileged to witness the Determination of numerous Trustees, Directors and Professionals dedicated to the commitment of everyone working as a team. Public Libraries are the back bone of our country. In the 21st Century due to economic and educational needs they are more important than ever. New demands for services, technology, and materials are all a drain on current budgets. It is very important as Trustees that we continue to inform all elected officials of the importance of Libraries and needed funding. Service and Use has increased in record numbers in the last year. I am committed as a Trustee to continue to Educate other Trustees and make ALTAFF even more effective as we move into a new area working also with Friends, and our ability to assist our Libraries to be the best ever.

ROALKVAM, DONALD L., Degrees and Certifications: Luther College, BA, 1970. Current Position: President, Board of Library Trustees, Indian Trails Public Library District, 2005-present. ALA Activities: ALA: Member, Conference Committee, 2007-Present; ALTA/ALTAFF: President-elect, President, Immediate Past President, 2006-Present; ALTA/ALTAFF: Board of Directors, 2001-Present; ALA: Chair, 2006 Conference Program Coordinating Team, 2004-06; ALTA: ALTA Division Councilor, 2003-05; ALA: Member, 2005 Conference Program Coordinating Team, 2003-05. Offices Held outside of ALA: Indian Trails Public Library District: President, Board of Trustees, 2005-Present; Illinois Library Association: Member, Conference Committee, 2005-07; North Suburban Library System: Member, Board of Directors, 1999-2005; North Suburban Library System: President, Board of Directors, 2002-04; Indian Trails Public Library District: President, Board of Trustees, 1999-2001; Indian Trails Public Library District: Member, Board of Trustees, 1995-95. Honors, Awards, Prizes, Medals, Citations: 2007 Illinois Library Association Trustee of the Year, October 11, 2007.  

STATEMENT: Library trustees must constantly be advocates for their library and libraries nationwide. Advocacy is a two way street. It is not just telling our local, state, and national legislators what the library needs but it is also listening to our library customers and meeting their needs. To remain relevant the library must provide the services and programs the public wants and needs. Fiduciary responsibility is a role of a trustee but it is not enough to just cut spending. With constantly tightening budgets we must find new, non-traditional sources of revenue. We must actively build partnerships with business and community groups to help provide funds for needed programs. We must constantly remind legislators, local government officials, the business community, and the public at large that libraries are the central source to provide information to all economic levels ensuring access and opportunities for education for all.

TRUSTEE AT LARGE

GRIFFIN, GAIL GUIDRY, Degrees and Certifications: Various Universities, On-going PHD Study, 2008; Louisiana State University-Baton Rouge, Louisiana, MLS, 2002; Centenary College, Louisiana State University-Shreveport and Louisiana Tech. University, Master's Degree Plus 30 Graduate Hours, 1986; Grambling State University, M.S, 1984; Grambling State University, B.S, 1976. Current Position: Library Media Specialist @ A. C. Steere Elementary, Shreve Memorial Public Library Board of Trustee, 2008-present. Previous Positions: Library Media Specialist, Caddo Parish Schools, 1976-Present. ALA Activities: ALTA: Member, Legislation Committee, 2008-Present; ALA: 1st time convention attendee, Ambassador, 2007-Present; ALTA: Chair, ALTA/PLA Conference; ALTA: Vice-President/Trustee-at-Large Nominee, 2008-08. Offices Held outside of ALA: American Library Association: Member, ALTAFF Legislative Committee, 2007-Present; American Library Association: Member, ALTAFF Awards Committee, 2007-Present; Louisiana Library Association: 31 Member, Membership, 2007-Present; Shreve Memorial Public Library: Formerly Chair @Vice-President/Member, Finance, Personnel, 2004-Present; Louisiana Education Association: Member and/or Delegate, 1976-Present; National Education Association: Member and/or Delegate, 1976-Present; Mayor's Commission on Education: Chair, 1999-2007; Northwestern Reading Association: Corresponding Secretary, 1997-2000; Louisiana Association for Educational Communications and Technology: President, 1993-94; Caddo Association of Educators: President, 1991-92; Caddo Librarians' Association: President, 1989-90; American Library Association: Conference Chair for 2010, ALTAFF/PLA, . Publications: "Evaluating a Fifth Grade Science Collection: Process and Product for Elementary Library Media Specialists," (Gail Guidry Griffin Consulting Firm), In-Progress; "The Effects of Computerized Generated Book Quizzes," Dissertation Title (Gail Guidry Griffin Consulting Firm), In-Progress; "Sugar Cane Farming in Southwest Louisiana; Process and Product for Young Readers," (Gail Guidry Griffin Consulting Firm), In Progress. Honors, Awards, Prizes, Medals, Citations: Cambridge Who's Who Among Executives and Professionals Nominee, 2007 @ 2008; Shreveport/Bossier Pride Residents Involved in Developing Our Economy Award Recipient, 1998; Region Seven Donal Gene "Bumpuss" Award as President, 1993; Citizen Ambassador Program Nominee to Vietnam, Moscow Etc., 1992 to Present; Read @ Home School Winner, 1990-1995; Caddo Association of Educators Nominee for Educator of the Year, 1988, 1990 @ 1997. Accomplishments: My first major accomplishment was to encourage elected board members to automate all elementary, middle and high schools libraries in my school district of Caddo Parish. My second accomplishment was to be appointed to the Shreve Memorial Board of Control of Public Libraries. In doing so one of my task was to educate tax- payers on need to build (2) new libraries and renovate some of the public libraries in order to fulfill the need for underserved areas and to better serve other communities. With the rich resources available in our libraries we are playing a major role in combating literacy. My third accomplishment was to seeking funding $700,000 to build a new State-of-the Art Elementary Library Media Center.   

STATEMENT: As a public school elementary library media specialist, public library trustee and a graduate student I am concern about the following issues: l. Infrastructure of public school libraries/media centers, public libraries, universities, special libraries and church libraries. 2. Funding for all types of libraries for books, technology and other resources. 3. Safety in all types of libraries. 4. State- of-the Art Technology in all types of libraries. 5. Literacy 6. Educating the general public on the need to maintain professionals and resources in our libraries. It is the world survival for life-long learners and readers.

BUTLER, TANYA T., Degrees and Certifications: Dominican University, Masters Degree, 2006; Concordia University, Bachelor Degree, 1996. Current Position: Trustee-Treasurer, Maywood Public Library District, 1993-present. Previous Positions: Permanent Sub-Teacher, School District 209, 1996. ALA Activities: ALTAFF: Member, Advocacy, Membership, Education of Trustees, President's Program,S.O.S., and Nominating Committee. , 2002-Present. Offices Held outside of ALA: IMEJ-Illinois Midwest Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction: Jurisdictional Secretary and Treasurer to the State Bishop, C.O.G.I.C. Church of God In Christ. Accomplishments: I am a Trustee of the Maywood Public Library District. I've held the office of Treasurer for 2 terms positions. This shows that I am dedicated to any task given to me. I sit on several committees within my library as well as in the community and outside the community. I have a tutoring/mentoring program for the at risk children in my area. I work with my library to create a youth section for the community teens and other teens in the surrounding area. I have worked with a group of youth through encouragement and resources help them to feel confident enough to write 2 books and have inspired them to do outreach to other youth. I feel that if I can help or inspire one youth or young adult to do something to contribute to our society, feel good about themselves and leave a legacy of empowerment to the next generation, I have accomplished much! I am very resourceful and would be a great asset to the ALTAFF organization.  

STATEMENT: My professional concerns in the ALA and the ALTAFF are to get more involvement from the trustees of these United States. We are far from the number of trustees that we use to have involved in our organization. I have found that the trustees think that if they are apart of the ALA, they assume that they are apart of the ALTAFF. This is not true and they have to join the ALTAFF just like they have to join ALA. If we can get the trustees to be apart of ALTAFF as a priority they would surely get their monies worth and the support that they need to be successful and long term trustees. WE CAN DO IT!