Continuing our series of LMD Board member profiles, meet our Membership Chair, Valerie Ryder:
Why did you become a librarian/info pro?
I had the opportunity to work as a library intern at Kodak Research Labs in Rochester, NY under a program organized by the Rochester Public Libraries during the summer between my Junior and Senior years at college. As a math major at the University of Rochester I had no idea what kinds of jobs a mathematician did and was not sure that I wanted solve differential equations for a living. My assignments in the research library opened my eyes to the exciting world of a research librarian in a major corporation that had a worldwide reputation for innovative ideas, at that time. By the end of the summer I decided I wanted to become a corporate librarian. Elizabeth (Tapia) Kraus, Manager of the Kodak Research Libraries, mentored me and encouraged me to pursue a Master’s degree in Library Science at an ALA-accredited school. This experience convinced me of the value of a mentor early in one’s career.
What is your current role?
After a career as a corporate librarian, knowledge manager, records manager, competitive intelligence analyst, international market researcher, independent information consultant and strategic planner for an information industry company, I have retired. I am now even more involved in SLA than I was while working because I have the time to volunteer. I currently am Membership Chair for LMD and the Philadelphia Chapter as well as Co-convener for the Encore Caucus.
What inspired you to become involved in LMD?
I joined LMD while I was working as an independent information consultant after being laid off from my twenty year career at a major corporation. I changed my divisional affiliation from a subject-oriented division because of LMD’s Consulting Section. When I found a job as a corporate librarian again, I stayed in LMD because its purpose suited my needs as a manager. Later, the Electronic Resources Section provided additional value as I migrated the library from print to electronic resources.
Early in my career I had been involved in my local chapter (Pittsburgh Chapter) as well as the Nuclear Science Division, serving as Chair-Elect and Chair. I enjoyed working with SLA colleagues to achieve our unit’s goals. As my job and family commitments lessened, I wanted to broaden my SLA involvement to include divisional roles as well as chapter roles in the Philadelphia Chapter. I felt it was time to re-invest my knowledge in the professional association that had provided so many career opportunities to me.
Tell us about your role with LMD:
I became the LMD Membership Chair in 2015 after being a committee member in 2014. In addition to welcoming new members to the division, I also encourage former members to rejoin LMD, and SLA. We have tried several recruitment programs in the past two years to help LMD maintain its membership base. Although we gain new members at a steady pace, we also lose members at the same rate.
Are there any upcoming events or initiatives you’d like to tell us about?
This year LMD is experimenting with a recruitment initiative whereby a LMD members pays for the additional divisional fee ($20) to sponsor another SLA member as a LMD member who they believe would benefit from LMD and be an asset to the division. The sponsor also mentors the new LMD member so that they become involved in LMD and see the value in renewing their LMD membership in the future. We have been focusing on the student chapter leaders and SLA Rising Stars. So far, 6 student leaders, 6 SLA Rising Stars, and 4 other SLA members have joined LMD under the sponsorship program.
In the Fall, the program will be expanded so that any LMD member can sponsor one of their SLA colleagues for whom they feel there would be a mutual benefit to the individual and LMD. For further details or to find out how to sponsor another SLA member to join LMD, contact me at vj3ryder@rcn.com.
What do you think SLA’s biggest issue/challenge is at present, and is there anything we can do to help?
I think that SLA’s biggest challenge currently is member retention and involvement. Membership levels have been steadily declining over the past decade, and while there are many theories as to why that is happening, the problem persists if SLA is to remain a viable association for the information profession. The other side of the member retention issue is member involvement in SLA and unit activities. Many chapters, divisions and caucuses struggle to identify members willing and able to take on unit officer, committee and project roles.
I have volunteered in several other professional associations and community groups during my career. I find that I get the most value out of those organizations in which I become involved, and are therefore more willing to renew my membership and commitment.
How can LMD members get more involved?
SLA members are very busy people and therefore need to prioritize in which professional activities they wish to invest their time and talents. There needs to be a balance between what you give and what benefits you get. I suggest that a member who wants to get more involved in LMD take a look at the various goals, activities and roles offered by LMD. Then identify just one area that interests them, would provide a learning experience, or would help them develop skills that they wish to develop. Contact the person who is leading that area (LMD leaders are listed on the LMD website), or the LMD Chair or Chair-Elect, to find out what needs exist and express their interest in contributing to LMD in this area. Getting involved in LMD can be as simple as just doing one thing beyond paying dues.
And, finally, tell us a little-known fact about you:
I’ve always had wanderlust and enjoy traveling to new places and seeing new sights. Early in my career I had the opportunity to work and live in Brussels, Belgium for two years while remaining with my current employer. The experience of living in another country and culture was extremely beneficial at an early stage in my career. I traveled nearly every weekend throughout Western Europe at a time when one did not have the same concerns about personal safety as today.