MLA Board elections: Legislative Chair

Legislative Chair

Ria Newhouse

Background:
Ria Newhouse has been a librarian for just over five years and is currently employed as a Reference and Instruction Librarian at Metropolitan State University in St. Paul, MN. She teaches both Information Literacy and Women's Studies courses, reviews for VOYA, and was named an ALA Emerging Leader in 2006. She also serves on the ALA Membership Committee, has appeared on the cover of Library Journal, and is thoroughly looking forward to the opportunity to serve library communities through MLA!

Statement of Concern/Vision:
As a librarian who is about to turn 30, I am deeply concerned about the
leadership void that the next generation of librarians and libraries are
currently facing. If elected to serve MLA, I would like to recruit more
younger librarians to not only be members of, but to serve MLA as well.

Mark Ranum

Background:

Current position: Director, Plum Creek Library system

Previous Minnesota positions: Coordinating Librarian, Hennepin County Library

Reference Coordinator, East Central Regional Library

Professional Activities: President, Minnesota Library Association, 1996

President, Quatrefoil Library Board of Directors, 2004-2006

President, METRONET Governing Board of Directors, 2002

Statement of Concern/Vision:

Minnesota Libraries have had some major political successes in the past 18 years I have been involved in MLA. If elected, I will work to broaden and strengthen MLA's support in the legislature. I will work to further the common interests we all share in strong state support for all types of library service.