ALA's Susan Roman to head Dominican University library school
Contact: Larra Clark
Media Relations Manager
312-280-5043
lclark@ala.org
For Immediate Release
April 27, 2005
ALA's Susan Roman to head Dominican University library school
(CHICAGO) The American Library Association (ALA) announced today that Susan Roman, director of the ALA Development Office, will be leaving the association to become the new dean of Dominican University's Graduate School of Library and Information Science. Roman's last day in the ALA office will be May 31, 2005, but she will still lead development activities and programs during the 2005 ALA Annual Conference in June.
"Of course, I'm thrilled for Susan, but I'm sorry to see her go," said ALA Executive Director Keith Michael Fiels. "Over her tenure, Susan has helped bring millions of dollars to the association to support The Campaign for America's Libraries, Spectrum scholarships, the Born to Read initiative, 21st century literacy, the CIPA Legal Fund and other program priorities."
Roman began her career at the ALA in 1986 as executive director of the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) and the Association for Library Trustees and Advocates (ALTA). In 2000, she became the first director for development at the ALA. Over the past five years, she has helped secure grants and sponsorships from a wide range of organizations and companies. She also implemented the ALA's planned giving program and the ALA Tribute Fund.
Before joining the ALA, Roman worked as the director of the Reference Services Department at the American Medical Association, as the division head of youth services for Northbrook (Ill.) Public Library and as the head of children's services at Deerfield Public Library.
Roman is a member of the national advisory committee for the International Children's Digital Library, First Book, PBS Ready to Learn and for PBS' children's television series "Reading Rainbow." She has led delegations of children's literature specialists to Russia, Eastern Europe, Brazil, Cuba, Australia and China. Roman also is an author and frequent speaker on issues related to fundraising, family literacy and children's services.
Roman has her Ph.D. from the University of Chicago, and her master's of library and information science from Rosary College (now Dominican University).
