The MLA Board of Directors appointed Stephanie D. Davis, Library Instruction Coordinator, Northwestern Michigan College, to serve as ACRL Representative for a one-year term from June 1, 2012 – May 31, 2013, at their February 10, 2012 meeting. Scott Garrison, Associate Dean for Public Services and Technology, Western Michigan University will serve as Chapter Representative-Elect for a two-year term from June 1, 2012 – May 31, 2014.
Stephanie’s work experience, education and involvement in MLA qualify her to serve as the ACRL chapter representative. As a seasoned academic librarian, she understands the need for MLA’s affiliation with ACRL as a means of strengthening the services MLA provides its membership. ACRL represents the interests of the academic library community nationally and a strong connection between MLA and ACRL offers the most effective means for helping academic librarians stay up-to-date on national issues. She is ready to fulfill the obligation to serve as a bridge between MLA and ACRL to improve communication, providing membership with information about relevant national issues as well as opportunities for service and participation in ACRL. Keeping ACRL informed about the activities and needs of MLA’s academic community would be an essential function of this role as well.
She also understands the requirements for membership in both organizations and the need for attendance at the ALA Midwinter and Annual meetings. She is knowledgeable of both MLA and ARCL and can successfully complete the duties of writing meeting reports and presenting information from the ACRL meetings to the MLA membership and board. She is of aware of the need to advocate for MLA at ACRL and to act as ambassador between the two groups on behalf of MLA’s academic membership. She is comfortable and experienced with the liaison role and welcomes the chance to serve MLA’s academic membership, bolstering the role of MLA in the academic library community.