MIT’s Head Humanities Librarian elected to ALA Council

By on July 27, 2005 in All news

MIT’s Head Humanities Librarian, Theresa Tobin, was elected to the American Library Association (ALA) Council in May of this year.

The Council is the governing body of the oldest and largest library association in the world. With more than 64,000 members in total, Tobin will be one of thirty-three Councilors chosen to set the policies of ALA and determine programs and activities to be carried out by the divisions. She will contribute to issues that affect libraries nationwide and influence public policy. Some topics recently before the Council include:

• The U.S. Patriot Act
• RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) standards
• Endangered libraries
• Fair employment policies and improvements in the library workplace

Tobin’s three year term began in July. She is looking forward to getting involved in broad library issues that have local impact—both in local communities and here at MIT. “It gives me the opportunity to work with librarians from all walks of life. I’m eager to get started,” said Tobin.

Prior to her election, Tobin served as Chair of the Council Committee on the Status of Women in Librarianship (COSWL) for three years, among other elected positions in ALA. She has been a member of ALA since 1981 and head of MIT’s Humanities Library for the past 15 years.