The OLA Election Candidate Information and ballot became available on 5/9/24. We want to thank everyone who has taken the time to vote, but would like to now ask those that haven’t yet to take a few minutes to review the Candidate Information Sheet, https://ola.memberclicks.net/ola-elections-2024-info and then to vote, click on this link: Ballot.
If you have any problem logging into the ballot, contact the OLA via email here.
-Shirley Roberts
OVERDUE Podcast Season 3, Episode 2 launched on April 30. In this episode, Immer Honorato, Library Outreach Specialist at the Tualatin Public Library, talks with us about connecting his library with his community in Tualatin, Oregon.
As an immigrant of Mexico who grew up in Tualatin, Immer brings an important bilingual and bicultural perspective to bridging the gap between library services and a library’s community. He reminds us that there are steps that all of us can take to improve accessibility, a sense of belonging, and relevancy in our libraries.
Here’s a snippet from the podcast transcript, from Immer himself, about the importance of creating meaningful and authentic connections: “And I think it’s building trust with the communities that you’re working with, and especially because often times libraries are associated or in conjunction with our government institutions, that building that trust just becomes really essential. Celebrating the communities and making sure that those ties are real and being present in important parts or events of the community.”
Winter 2024 OLAQ – “Bibliotequitas para Tualatin (Bibliotequitas for Tualatin)” Pg. 29-31
Hosts: Joan Vigil & Kristen Curé
Date of Interview: April 9, 2024
Direct link to episode: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1948067/14975880
Are you looking to grow in your profession? To become more of a leader? To explore learning opportunities? Apply for a scholarship from the Leadership Committee of OLA. Scholarships support leadership development and contribute to the growth of leadership potential within OLA and libraries statewide.
The OLA Leadership Committee offers scholarships of up to $1000, available to all members of OLA regardless of employment or job title. You do not need to be a manager, or aspire to a management position, to qualify for a scholarship. In the past, recipients have used the scholarship to attend conferences, diversity training and OLA’s own Leadership Institute (LIOLA).
Scholarships are awarded three times each year. Priority for at least one scholarship is given to individuals from diverse cultural/ethnic backgrounds and/or historically underrepresented groups. Scholarship winners agree to provide service to OLA as a condition of receiving a scholarship. For example, join a committee or roundtable, present at a conference or division workshop, or write an article for the OLA quarterly. It doesn’t matter so much what you do, but we encourage you to step outside your comfort zone.
For additional information, please review the FAQ and scholarship application form. The next application deadline is June 30, 2024.
-Liisa Sjoblom
Library Furniture International sends their thanks to everyone who they met at the OLA conference, and extends their hope that they will be able to assist with future library design projects. Call them at 847-564-9497 or email them by clicking here to coordinate services.
OLA Conference is over, and we want to acknowledge and thank again our OLA Conference Sponsors and Exhibitors.
Sponsors: Antioch University, Emporia State University, NW Natural, San Jose State University School of Information, TechOps Specialty Vehicles, VIRCO, and Yakety Yak Furniture.
-Shirley Roberts
Friday May 3rd, 10:00am-2:00pm
It is time for our Spring Membership meeting this Friday. Please come for all or part of it if you can, and we’ll discuss the conference, summer reading, the Mock Printz, and what OYAN looks like next year.
You can find the agenda by visiting this link. We will post the zoom link later this week, please check the OYAN listserv or email Mark Richardson.
Please contact Mark if you have questions or would like to host one of our pod locations. Some of us will meet in person at Beaverton, Creswell and either Albany or Salem.
~Mark Richardson
On April 26, 2024, the Oregon Library Association (OLA) presented the following awards to individuals or organizations in recognition of their work in support of libraries in Oregon. OLA congratulates award recipients and is pleased to honor them for their commitment, support, and promotion of Oregon libraries.
Librarian of the Year: Emily O’Neal. Emily serves as the Chair of OLA’s Intellectual Freedom Committee and the Technical Services Round Table, and as the Technical Services Manager at Deschutes Public Library. She was recognized for her outstanding service and dedicated support of Oregon libraries faced with book challenges, her generosity in sharing her expertise with Oregon library staff, her skillful representation of OLA in media interviews, and her tireless advocacy for intellectual freedom.
Library Employee of the Year: Robin Dawson. Robin was recognized for her excellent service and outstanding dedication, reliability, and innovation in her role as circulation supervisor for the Gladstone & Oak Lodge Libraries.
OLA Library Supporter of the Year Award: Friends of Driftwood Library. This group was recognized for their support, enthusiasm, and fierce advocacy for the Driftwood Library and the Lincoln City community.
OLA Library Supporter of the Year Award: Deborah Johns. Deb was recognized for her long and dedicated service to the Athena Library Friends Association and the Athena Public Library board.
OLA EDI Antiracism Recognition Award: Roxanne Renteria and LaRee Dominguez. Roxanne and LaRee serve as co-chairs of the OLA Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Antiracism Committee. They were recognized for their commitment, courage, empathy and action in antiracism work.
OLA Honorary Lifetime Membership: MaryKay Dahlgreen. MaryKay was recognized for her dedicated work, boundless energy, extensive expertise, and fearless leadership that has made a lasting impact on OLA and the greater Oregon library landscape. She served as the State Librarian of Oregon from 2012-2018 and recently retired from her position as director of the Lincoln County Library District.
OLA Past President Recognition: Star Khan. Star was recognized for her outstanding service and leadership as OLA Vice-President, President, and Past President from 2022-2024.
OLA President’s Award: Liisa Sjoblom. Liisa was recognized by the OLA President Ericka Brunson-Rochette for her ongoing efforts to support opportunities for people to connect, future leaders to grow, and libraries to thrive.
OLA President’s Accomplice Award: Darci Hanning. Darci was recognized by OLA President Ericka Brunson-Rochette for being a true accomplice to her BIPOC colleagues through her work, words, and actions.
OLA Legislator of the Year Award: Senator Lew Fredrick and Representative Pam Marsh. Sen. Frederick and Rep. Marsh were recognized by the OLA Legislative Committee for their support of libraries in the Oregon State Legislature.
OLA Intellectual Freedom Champion of the Year Award: Miranda Doyle and Darin Stewart. Miranda and Darin were recognized for their outstanding efforts in promoting the principles of intellectual freedom in Oregon.
The Oregon Library Association provides advocacy, education, leadership and collaboration to continually strengthen Oregon’s libraries and the communities they serve. Approximately 1,000 librarians, library employees, and library supporters are part of the association.
You can find a sharable PDF version of the winners here.
The ORCA Committee is also excited to announce the 2025 nominees in all three grade level divisions.
ORCA 2025 Nominees for Grades 3-5
ORCA 2025 Nominees for Grades 6-8
ORCA 2025 Nominees for Grades 9-12
Thank you for supporting the Oregon Reader’s Choice Award! Please follow us at @orca.award on Instagram. Questions, or interested in joining next year’s committee as a reader? Find information on the ORCA site or please reach out to the ORCA Committee.
In an effort to improve communication and transparency for members, the OLA Board has asked that the OLA Treasurer provide regular updates on the finances of OLA. This is just a summary. If you want more specifics, you can view them on the OLA website.
As of March 31st, our checking account balance was $277,891.39 and our total assets were $1,268,348.92 (The total assets include our investment accounts, as well as those controlled by our divisions.)
Our current investments have increased in value as of September 1st, and we expect that to fluctuate over time. Our current Connect Wealth investments (short- to long-term growth account) has increased about 7.9% since September to $165,830.76. Our Donivan investments (long-term growth) has increased about 9.3% to $374,262.26.
Detailed financials can be found on the OLA website (have to be logged in to view).
~Stuart Levy, OLA Treasurer 2024-25
The online sales for the OYAN Raffle are now live! Grab yours before April 23. See that link for a list of fabulous prizes, including (but not limited to) a ticket voucher for the Oregon Symphony, tickets to OMSI, and so much more. You can grab one ticket for $5 or five tickets for $20.
The online sales will run for two weeks, closing on Tuesday, April 23rd. If you’d rather purchase tickets in person, OYAN will have live sales at the OLA Conference from Wednesday, April 24th – Friday afternoon, April 26th. Winners will be announced at lunch on Friday, April 26th at the OLA Conference, but you do not need to be in attendance to win!
OLA Hotline 