Ethel Himmel is new ASCLA president

Contact: Cathleen Bourdon


312-280-4395


cbourdon@ala.org

For Immediate Release


August 2002

Ethel Himmel is new ASCLA president

Ethel Himmel, principal partner of Himmel & Wilson, Library Consultants, is the new president of the Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA), a division of the American Library Association (ALA). She assumed office in July.

"I'll be working with three task forces on a number of key actions to support new and continuing members: a mentoring program, a preconference on career development, and the development of Web courses and workshops of interest to members," Himmel stated. "I'm looking forward to a rewarding year of growth - my own personal growth and the growth of ASCLA and its members."

Prior to establishing the consulting firm, Himmel served as deputy director of the La Crosse (Wis.) Public Library/Winding Rivers Library System, and prior to that was head of circulation/adult services/public services.

Himmel has a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Illinois, and a master's and doctorate degree in library science from the University of Wisconsin - Madison. Himmel currently serves on the editorial board of
Public Library Quarterly. She has chaired the ASCLA Standards Review Committee and served as president of the Wisconsin Library Association.

Together with Bill Wilson, she is the author of
Planning for Results: A Library Transformation Process and Functions and Roles of State Library Agencies.

Himmel & Wilson specializes in long-range and strategic planning and service evaluation for libraries. Since the partnership's founding in 1987, Himmel and Wilson have completed more than 125 projects for public libraries, public library systems and state library agencies in 32 states.

ASCLA is devoted to the development of specialized and cooperative library activities. Its 1,000 members represent state library agencies, specialized library agencies, multitype library cooperatives and librarians who work outside of traditional library settings.