AASL sponsors Emerging Leaders Beth Ebenstein Mulch and Jillian Rudes

CHICAGO — The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) will sponsor two participants in the American Library Association’s (ALA) 2014 Emerging Leaders (EL) program. The AASL-sponsored participants will join more than 50 of their peers as the program kicks off at the 2014 ALA Midwinter Meeting in Philadelphia.

Beth Ebenstein Mulch of Alexandria, Va., and Jillian Rudes of Brooklyn, N.Y., will participate in project planning workgroups; network with peers; gain an inside look into ALA structure; and have an opportunity to serve the profession in a leadership capacity early in their careers. In sponsoring these two participants, AASL will defray the cost of attending the 2014 ALA Midwinter Meeting and the 2014 ALA Annual Conference.

Ebenstein Mulch, currently the school librarian at T.C. Williams High School, graduated from the school of library and information science at The Catholic University in Washington, D.C. In 2011, she was selected by faculty at the university to represent the department during the 2011 ALA Student-to-Staff program, volunteering on behalf of AASL. She has also made a significant impression on her peers while working at T.C. Williams. After each of her first two years, the principal nominated Ebenstein Mulch for the school’s Titan Transformer award, which recognizes staff for innovation, risk taking and contributing to the transformation of the school.

“At every step, every innovation, every new initiative, it has been Beth who has taken the lead,” wrote colleague Gerard Joria, in his recommendation letter. “In more than 30 years of public service and education, I have never met anyone with more drive, dedication, and creativity than Beth Mulch. I am confident that she will be a leader not just in our school, but in our profession. To me, it's more than just potential. We are already following Beth and I look forward to following her lead for years to come.”

Rudes, a graduate of the City University of New York at Queens College with an MLS in school media, is currently the school librarian at Aaron School in New York. “During her three years at the Aaron School, Jillian has worked tirelessly to provide technology workshops for students and professional development opportunities for faculty and parents,” writes former professor Susan Hess in her recommendation letter. “Although the original plan for the library program has seen changes due to budgeting and class scheduling, Jillian has remained positive, continuing to advocate for the importance of a strong library program involving students, teachers, administration and the community.”

In honor of her demonstrated leadership in class activities and assignments as well as field work and internship, Rudes was awarded the 2011 Queens College GSLIS Lucille C. Thomas Outstanding Future School Librarian Award, presented each year to honor the student who best demonstrated proactivity in practice as a school librarian as well as outstanding academic merit.

Following the kickoff session at 2014 ALA Midwinter Meeting, the Emerging Leaders will collaborate with their peers in an online learning and networking environment for six months. This culminates with a poster session showcasing the results of the project-planning work at the 2014 ALA Annual Conference in Las Vegas. Upon completion of program, participants have an opportunity to serve on an ALA, Division, Chapter or Round Table committee or a taskforce or workgroup.

The American Association of School Librarians, www.aasl.org, a division of the American Library Association (ALA), promotes the improvement and extension of library services in elementary and secondary schools as a means of strengthening the total education program. Its mission is to advocate excellence, facilitate change and develop leaders in the school library field.