2023 ACRL New England Chapter Board Candidates
ACRL New England is an all-volunteer organization that provides professional growth opportunities for academic research librarians and library staff. The Chapter is appreciative of those stepping up and stepping in to support our profession and helping to shape the landscape of academic librarianship in New England. Candidate information for the 2023 election period is included on this page for your review during the voting process.
Open Positions on the ACRL/NEC Board
Vice President/President-Elect
Vice President/President-Elect
Susanna Cowan
Candidate's Statement
I served on the ACRL-NEC Board as Secretary from 2020-22, a period during which the Board adapted to a new world of virtual meetings and conferences. I learned a lot about this organization in its response to the changes necessitated by the pandemic. I was impressed with the organization’s continued focus during that time on meaningful strategic work that promoted the work of academic librarians and was committed to strengthening our regional academic library community, being inclusive and remaining future oriented. I hope to extend that work in partnership with the Board and the chapter’s membership as we continue to commit to the activities that define us as an organization (our committees/special interest groups and their programs, our annual conference) while also asking ourselves: what else might we be doing (or how might we being doing things differently) to have the greatest positive impact on our diverse community—diverse as both individuals and institutions? I work in library assessment and have experience in engaging users directly. My library roles have centered on asking the questions we need answered to best respond to our users and partners, experience I hope will benefit the chapter as we look ahead to what’s next.
Connecticut State Representative
Carla Baricz
Candidate's Statement
I am applying for the position of Connecticut State Representative to the ACRL NEC board hoping through my service to engage more closely with the NEC mission to work together with colleagues from across the region to provide learning opportunities, leadership, and meaningful connections for Connecticut librarians. In the past, I have served in the Literatures in English Section of ACRL, as a co-organizer of the Reference Discussion Group, organizing bi-yearly national meetings focusing on the challenges facing reference services in English studies today. I have also served on the LES Executive Committee, helping draft documentation for the section, like the Anti-Racist Action Plan the section finalized in 2021. Such experiences have given me a sense of ACRL’s mission and have helped me bring new ideas and approaches to my home institution. I hope that as representative for Connecticut in the NEC chapter, I can continue the work of furthering the mission of special interest groups and of helping create more opportunities for librarians who are new to the profession or the region. I am also looking forward to working with others to help plan the annual conference. I am excited to be considered for this volunteer position!
Erica Charis-Molling
Candidate's Statement
Years back now I was heavily involved with NELIG and sincerely enjoyed the opportunity to contribute to the larger library community beyond the library where I worked. After a brief career detour into the nonprofit world, I'm returning to the library field and would love to contribute once more at the chapter level. I will bring the perspective of the community college, as well as serve as a representative of the soon-to-be-merged CT State Community College system. (The merger will unify all 12 community colleges in the state, effective July 1.) I would hope to increase the participation of community colleges in the chapter activities and bring a keen eye for all things assessment, both programmatically and at a chapter level. I strongly believe that assessing what matters to our stakeholders and finding ways to communicate that data effectively are central to the future of our libraries and the organizations that support them.
Chalynne Reed
Candidate's Statement
My name is Chalynne Reed, and I am running for State Representative for Connecticut. I am interested in this position because I strongly believe in the work that Connecticut libraries are accomplishing. I feel that my experiences working in several academic and public libraries in Connecticut will aid me in representing our organizations. I look forward to sharing information on library affairs and library staff concerns within the state and promoting ACRL/NEC programs. I welcome the opportunity to engage with academic and research librarians from across the New England region. Thank you for your consideration.
Massachusetts State Representative
Martin Garnar
Candidate's Statement
While I am a relative newcomer to New England (having arrived in 2020), I have been involved with ACRL at both the state and national level for more than 20 years. I am a past member of the ACRL Colorado chapter board and have served on the ACRL Professional Values Committee as well as planning committees for previous ACRL conferences. As Massachusetts State Representative, I would be excited to promote the NEC’s activities and would work to engage our members throughout the state to take advantage of all that the chapter has to offer. I would also strive to be a voice for members to ensure that their needs are being met and that the NEC focuses on the issues and concerns that are relevant to today’s academic library workers.
New Hampshire State Representative
Kimberly Sweetman
Candidate's Statement
New England librarians are fortunate to have a strong local ACRL chapter. I am running for New Hampshire representative for ACRL/NEC because I believe in this important organization and want to serve both the chapter and its members. I bring significant volunteer experience at regional and national organizations serving librarians and libraries, including membership and leadership on committees of ACRL, The Boston Library Consortium, The Metropolitan New York Library Council and the Research Libraries Partnership. My goals as New Hampshire state representative are to function as an effective communication link between New Hampshire librarians and ACRL/NEC, to promote the benefits of ARCL/NEC membership to colleagues in New Hampshire, to serve the broader organization as an effective board member, and to promote networking among college and research librarians in the state and region.