[Libs-Or] [PL-Directors] Introducing upcoming new Library Support team members!

[Stephanie Chase]

Big congratulations to Gesse and Ericka, and to the State Library!

On Wed, May 29, 2024 at 5:13 PM NIELSEN Buzzy * SLO via PL-Directors <
pl-directors at omls.oregon.gov> wrote:

> Hi folks,
>
>
>
> I am very, very, *very* excited to announce that the Library Support
> division at the State Library of Oregon will have two fantastic new people
> joining our team in the coming weeks.
>
>
>
>
>
> *Gesse Stark-Smith – Virtual Reference Coordinator*
>
> Gesse will join the State Library on June 5 as our Virtual Reference
> Coordinator. In that position, Gesse will coordinate our 24/7 online
> library chat reference program Answerland <https://answerland.org/>,
> which connects people with librarians from around Oregon and the country to
> answer their questions. Gesse will work with partner libraries, volunteers,
> and others to ensure Answerland continues providing great service in
> English and Spanish.
>
>
>
> Gesse comes to us with a background as a school librarian and over ten
> years’ experience in various roles at Multnomah County Library, including
> School Corps librarian, Spanish/English bilingual youth librarian,
> community outreach librarian, and supervisor and manager of various
> programs including adult learning and culturally-specific programming.
> Gesse also served on and chaired our Library Services and Technology Act
> (LSTA) Advisory Council
> <https://www.oregon.gov/Library/libraries/Pages/lstaac.aspx>.
>
>
>
> Many thanks to the Virtual Reference Coordinator search committee: Tamara
> Ottum and Natalie Brant from the State Library and Michele Burke from
> Chemeketa Community College.
>
>
>
>
>
> *Ericka Brunson-Rochette – Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Consultant*
>
> Ericka joins the team on July 15 as our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
> (DEI) Consultant. This brand new position was created in response to strong
> interest from all of you in the library community! In the role, Ericka will
> provide training, consulting, and resources to support libraries to better
> serve communities that are historically and currently underserved and
> under-resourced, as well as help libraries on their path to becoming more
> equitable, diverse, inclusive, and antiracist.
>
>
>
> Ericka likely is a familiar name for many of you, as she is currently the
> president of the Oregon Library Association and has been active in OLA’s
> Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Antiracism (EDIA) Committee. In addition
> to her on-the-ground DEI experience, Ericka has training and holds
> certifications in DEI from the University of South Florida, Rice
> University, and Cornell University. She also joins the team with over 15
> years’ experience in children’s services at the Manhattan Public Library
> (Kansas), Kitsap Regional Library (Washington), and most recently Deschutes
> Public Library here in Oregon.
>
>
>
> Thank you to the search committee for DEI Consultant: Greta Bergquist and
> Wren Kominos from the State Library, Christina Fuller-Gregory of Fuller
> Potential Consulting, and LaRee Dominguez at Albany Public Library and
> co-chair of OLA’s EDIA Committee.
>
>
>
>
>
> You can expect to hear more from both folks after they start their jobs.
> Please give them a bit of time to settle in!
>
>
>
> In Library Support, we are continually trying to evolve our services to
> better serve you and your libraries. Gesse and Ericka will bring
> experience, wisdom, and fresh perspectives to help Library Support continue
> being responsive to your changing needs. If you have any questions, please
> don’t hesitate to reach out to me and ask.
>
>
>
> Cheers!
>
>
>
> *Buzzy Nielsen, MPP, MSI (he/him/his) *
>
> Program Manager for Library Support and Tribal Liaison
>
> State Library of Oregon
>
> buzzy.nielsen at slo.oregon.gov | 971-375-3486
> www.oregon.gov/library/libraries
>
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>
>
>
> [image: Logo for the Library Support & Development Services division at
> the State Library of Oregon] <http://www.oregon.gov/library/libraries>
>
>
>
>
>
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