Celebrating ALA at 150

Sam Helmick (MSLIS '12), current president of ALA

The iSchool's focus on understanding how information shapes society and supports positive change was central to my experience. Already in a management role halfway through my degree, I was able to immediately blend theory with practice, applying what I learned to real-world leadership challenges. The program's flexibility allowed me to explore organizational strategy and community engagement in depth, giving me the tools to structure learning and growth both for myself and for the teams I lead.

As the current ALA president, leading ALA through both opportunities (like celebrating its 150th anniversary during our nation's 250th anniversary) and challenges (operating while hiring our new executive director, navigating a post-COVID strategic plan, and supporting an institutional reorganization) has been deeply meaningful and energizing. 

I am especially proud of our work to protect the Institute of Museum and Library Services and its funding, ensuring the continuation of critical support for libraries and museums nationwide. I’ve also deeply valued meeting with IMLS students to encourage and better understand the next generation of library leaders. 

Ziba Pérez (MSLIS '12), current member of the ALA Executive Board

I completed the degree both online and in person, visiting campus three times a year during the two years I was in the program. I’m from Los Angeles and had never been to Illinois before or seen fresh snowfall. Now that I'm on the ALA Executive Board (June 2025–2028), I visit the Chicago headquarters for in-person meetings at least three times a year. This is my first year on the board, and I am most proud of the work our organization does to advocate for library funding by letting our representatives in D.C. hear directly from the public about the importance of supporting libraries.

Margaret Heller (MSLIS '08), past president of Core

When I was president, Core was still a new organization with a lot to build on, and I relied on my network to make it happen. We had such a wonderful cohort during my two years in graduate school, and I am still close friends with many people I met during that time. That encouraged me to pursue leadership opportunities to be on the board of student chapters for ALA and Special Libraries Association, as well as participate in other professional development events. I developed a strong professional network that allowed me to reach out to colleagues for help or advice. Several of my classes helped me to understand the needs of members in areas of library work outside my direct experience as a professional librarian.

Core is the amalgamation of three former ALA divisions, each of which did things slightly differently, had different cultures, and had members rightfully concerned that the organization might not meet their needs in the same way as before. During my tenure as the third-ever president, there was a long list of needs, including writing a strategic plan, reassessing committee structures, updating the bylaws and procedures, reestablishing fundraising streams, and listening to member concerns. When I left the Core board as past president, I could look around and see how much groundwork I laid for a much sturdier organization. 

Mary Ellen Davis (MSLIS '81), past executive director of Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL)

As I consider my work as the executive director of ACRL, the management class taught by Kathleen de La Peña McCook was the most applicable class I had at GSLIS (as we called it then). I remember her saying something along the lines of "whether you are managing the Pentagon or a small library, the principles are the same." And she was right—it was so helpful to learn these principles early on.

As I reflect on my work at ACRL, I am especially proud of advocating for the value of academic and research libraries, as well as the vital role that academic and research library workers play in higher education. I worked to create a strong culture of innovation and a focus on advocacy, professional development, and equity, diversity, and inclusion. During my tenure, I oversaw the development of programs and publications that helped academic and research librarians advance learning, transform scholarship, and document their contributions to the broader campus and higher education communities. I am also proud of the relationships I built within higher education. It was a joy to work with so many talented academic and research librarians and the ACRL team, and I wish ACRL and its members continued success. 

Loriene Roy (PhD '87), past president of ALA

I had many excellent, capable classmates in the School, and seeing their achievements also gave me confidence that I could also excel in leadership roles. 

I was proud of providing opportunities for my students and colleagues to be recognized for their work and their potential to contribute to librarianship. That included supporting graduate student attendance at conferences, appointing colleagues to committees, and establishing the ALA Presidential Citations for Innovative International Library Projects in ALA's International Relations Round Table. 

Beth McNeil (MSLIS '89), past president of ACRL

ACRL is a large division of the ALA, representing more than 8,000 members. After serving on many ACRL committees, I was delighted to be elected as its 2023–2024 president. ACRL truly lives its mission to advance learning, transform scholarship, and create diverse and inclusive communities in higher education, through its committee work, publications, programming, national conferences, and more. I owe my success as an ACRL leader and my 35+ year career working for university libraries to what I learned while studying at the iSchool (GSLIS, at the time!). I was a young student, had never worked for a library, and found the coursework challenging (to say the least), and the instruction excellent: thought-provoking, enlightening, and engaging. I particularly remember classes with Professors Donald Krummel, Linda Smith, and Terry Weech.

An ACRL presidency is actually a three-year commitment, first as vice-president/president-elect, then president, and then as past president, with responsibilities each year. So, in 2022 I stepped into the VP role and immediately began the task of making appointments to ACRL's divisional committees, during a post-COVID time when many members were not sure they could participate, for a variety of reasons. As president, my plan was to build on the excellent progress made by previous ACRL boards and past presidents to advance equity, diversity, and inclusion in ACRL and academic libraries. I am very proud of the work ACRL did during my term in this area and continues to do.

Lisa Janicke Hinchliffe (MSLIS '95), past president of ACRL

In 1994, the iSchool selected me as the program's nominee for the ALA Student-to-Staff program, and I attended the ALA Annual Conference in Miami Beach, Florida, working with the ALA Office for Literacy and Outreach Services. I had never attended a professional conference before. I experienced such a warm welcome and realized that I wanted to be part of the cross-institutional collaborations that ALA fostered. That early support from the iSchool set me on a path that eventually led to the ACRL presidential role in 2010–2011. The trip to Miami was also the first time I had ever flown on an airplane!

Establishing the Value of Academic Libraries Initiative as a signature ACRL program, an initiative that continues to develop and deliver for ACRL members to this day, is something that I am very proud of. But, I can't say that without also giving credit to the large team of people who helped lay the groundwork and build out the effort. It was a team effort. I am also very grateful to Mary Ellen Davis, then ACRL executive director, an innovative associate leader who not only mentored me but was willing to dream big with me. 

Robert Wedgeworth (MSLIS '61), past executive director of ALA

My major achievements as executive director of ALA include stabilizing its finances, adding significant value to its endowment by building a new building, restructuring its membership dues that led to a growth spiral, and bringing National Library Week to ALA, which has become the cornerstone for a robust public relations program. Obviously, I did not achieve these things alone. But I was the instigator and driving force behind them all.

My degree from Illinois led to a career-long interest in bibliographics that became the foundation for my career. I have a new book scheduled to be published by Rowman & Littlefield in early June, and it describes my life and career.