The End of an Era: Stepping Down from the Maine Library Association Presidency

I had my last meeting as part of the Maine Library Association presidency today. It’s hard to believe it’s been six years that I’ve been doing this. Six years! So much has changed in that time. I remember first getting the phone call from the incoming president, asking if I’d be interested and willing to serve in the presidency (as Vice President for two years, President for two years, and then Past President for two years). It was a big commitment, especially for someone who had just been in the Maine library world for less than six years.

In the time since then, I’ve had five different bosses. I’ve changed jobs two or three jobs (at the same institution). It’s been a huge learning curve for me, and I can point to so many things that I’ve gotten better at through the opportunity to assume that leadership role in the state. A stark example would be conference planning. When I came on as VP, I suddenly found out it was up to me to set up the annual conference. That first year was very rocky (for a number of reasons), but when I contrast it with the conference I set up yesterday for Maine Academic Libraries Day, the difference is night and day. People kept coming up to me to thank me for setting it up so well, and I just didn’t feel like the thanks were that necessary. I found some presenters, arranged for food and rooms, emailed to promote it, had multiple meetings to coordinate it, negotiated some vendor sponsorship . . .

When I rattle off the things I did, it suddenly does sound significant, which is just a sign to me of how much I’ve learned being part of the presidency.

The organization itself has changed a ton as well. When I came on, we had around 300 members. Now we’re over 600. Six years ago, we were losing money, with our sole reliable “income stream” being membership dues. Now, we have multiple successful conferences that pay for themselves and bring in funds to help cover other important initiatives. We’re taking on new responsibilities and tackling new projects, like revising the public library standards for the state.

Through my time on MLA, I’ve gotten to know so many more awesome librarians across the state, to the point that I almost always feel like there’s someone close by I could reach out to for help, should I be anywhere in Maine. I know what libraries are struggling with, and where they’re excelling. I know about the challenges we face locally, across the state, and nationally.

It’s all come with a cost, of course. Weekly teleconferences. Board meetings every other month. Committee work across the gauntlet. When I first came on, we began weekly presidency meetings. For the first two years, it was just me and the president. Then we added a new VP for the next two years, and then I shifted to the past president role for the last two. It’s to the point now that those meetings are a permanent fixture (at least, that’s how it feels to me). We found a new Executive Director, revised the bylaws, and I learned much more about Roberts Rules of Order than I ever wanted to.

I could go on, but I won’t. I’m grateful for the chance I had to make an impact, and happy the impact appears to have been a positive one. I still plan on being involved with MLA however I can help. Its mission is near to my heart for multiple reasons.

To all those who’ve helped me over the past six years, a huge thank you. It’s very much a group effort. I’d call you out by name, but I’ll hold back. For one thing, not everyone’s comfortable being name dropped on a blog without permission, and for another, I would inevitably forget someone hugely important. But I really am thankful for all the help I’ve gotten these six years, and the awesome things we’ve come together to achieve. I’m sure there’s even more awesomeness to come.

Go Maine Libraries!

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