Connie Paul
Executive Director, Central Jersey Regional Library Cooperative
Be connected, get involved, look for the big picture.
How do you describe what you do as a librarian to your family or to people at a party? I connect people and information.
What special projects, initiatives or committees have you been or are involved in? How did you first get involved? What experiences in ALA have been the most rewarding? On the ALA level, the Recruitment Assembly, where I chaired a national forum, and the Emerging Leaders program which I co-chair. Also president and other things for ASCLA ICAN.
What advice would you give to up and coming librarians? Be connected, get involved, look for the big picture.
What do you think are the top three issues facing librarianship (positive or negative) that could change the course of things? If we want to try to change that course, how should we go about it? The glut of information; the revolt of taxpayers; and the opportunities for connectedness and contact.
Tell us from your own experience, what is the most valuable lesson you have learned in your leadership role/s? To frame advocacy efforts in terms of the needs of the audience.
What values (personal traits or characteristics) do you look for and admire in a leader? Ability to look beyond our field; ability to determine calculated risks; a passion for the common good.
How do you recognize contributions of others in your library and in your community?
As Exec. Director of a multi-type cooperative, I can lead my organization to give recognition where it’s due.
What or who influenced you to become a librarian? Two women-a librarian in my college, and a librarian at the MO State Archives
If you could do anything in your career differently, what would that be and why?
I once stayed in a toxic job way too long-I should have gotten out sooner.
What are the top three things they don’t teach in library school (or did not teach you when you were in library school) that you think are critical? Relationships are fundamental; funders have their own goals; the world is larger than the library.