Alison Van Norman Named a 2024 Core Emerging Leader

CHICAGO—Core: Leadership, Infrastructure, Futures is pleased to announce that Alison Van Norman has been selected as a Core Emerging Leader (EL). Van Norman serves as the Outreach and Marketing Librarian for Elon University, where she plans and markets library events and programs and acts as liaison to the Art, Music, and Performing Arts departments. She enjoys creating low-stress environments for students, helping them familiarize themselves with library spaces and staff, and then seeing them return to study and engage in programs. She received her MLIS from UNC-Greensboro.

Van Norman says, “I am now seeking out next steps in my career path, strengthening my leadership skills, and learning specifically what successful leadership looks like in libraries. This is what brought me to apply for the Emerging Leaders program. The networking opportunities, and specifically the group project, is an ideal setting to not only practice new leadership skills, but also to build comfort and confidence in being in a leadership role, with the program providing a structured environment for practice.”

One of 50 library workers chosen from across the U.S. and Canada, Van Norman will participate in project planning work groups, network with peers, gain an inside look into the ALA structure, and have an opportunity to serve the profession in a leadership capacity. Following a virtual, day-long kickoff session during the ALA LibLearnX: The Library Learning Experience (LibLearnX), the program will continue in an online learning and networking environment for six months, culminating in a presentation of the groups' work at the 2024 ALA Annual Conference in San Diego, CA this June. Core is sponsoring three Emerging Leaders for 2024. Learn more about the ALA Emerging Leaders Program.

About Core

Core: Leadership, Infrastructure, Futures is the national association that advances the profession of librarians and information providers in central roles of leadership and management, collections and technical services, and technology. Our mission is to cultivate and amplify the collective expertise of library workers in core functions through community building, advocacy and learning. Core is a division of the American Library Association. Follow us on our Blog, Instagram or LinkedIn.