By: James Shedlock, AMLS, AHIP, FMLA, Director

This article was featured in Library Notes #48 (Fall 2008).

I am pleased to share the announcement from the Library and Information Technology Association (LITA), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), that Galter Library's Michelle Frisque has been elected Vice President/President-elect of LITA for 2008-2009.  Michelle is the library's Head of Information Systems, holding that position since May 2003.  Michelle arrived at Northwestern in November 2002 after leaving Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio where she was that library's Web Manager/Reference Librarian.

Michelle has an outstanding record of accomplishment at the Galter Library and within the library information technology field.  She currently heads the library's effort to redesign its website.  A principal feature of the new website will be innovative services that capitalize on Web 2.0 technologies.  These value-added services build upon the successful completion of the Health SmartLibrary effort that Michelle has championed since becoming department head.  Michelle represents the Galter Library's technology interests within the university libraries and the medical center, and provides leadership in planning innovative technology uses that improve services to users.  Within LITA Michelle has served on various committees and groups, notably as the LITA Web Editor and has been on the LITA Board of Directors since 2005.  She has also served on the ALA Web Advisory Committee and LITA's Web Coordinating Committee and Web Policy Task Force.

Michelle's plan for her new leadership role in LITA includes enhancing the association's effort to create an inclusive environment for identifying and discussing emerging technologies. She also wants to focus on how technologies impact librarians and users, and how to communicate ideas, concerns, successes and failures.  In addition, Michelle states, "LITA also has an active role to play in educating and promoting the membership's positions on information technology policies and standards. At the same time, LITA must actively recruit new members, as well as retain its current membership. We can do this by continuing to improve our current publications and education opportunities, as well as actively explore new avenues and innovative approaches that reach out to our membership." 

We look forward to supporting Michelle's new role and her efforts to promote and advance technology awareness with the American Library Association.

See the ALA news announcement for additional information.