For which library, institution, or organization are you currently employed?

University of Wisconsin-Madison

How many year(s) have you been a member of Wisconsin Library Association?

30+

What has been your favorite or most impactful function or event of WLA?

Getting to know colleagues across the state through conferences and other opportunities to work together beyond our home libraries.

How has being a member of WLA impacted you or your career?

WLA offers a lot of leadership opportunities. I had a chance to be the elected chair of a former round table (Library User Education Round Table) and in that role I met a lot of folks who were, like me at the time, early in their careers. Many years later, I still have close connections to those people, and many of us now work in leadership positions in our respective libraries. I really value how that early experience with WLA helped me not only grow professionally, but also created a lasting network of colleagues whose work I greatly respect.

Do you have a library role model (in Wisconsin or elsewhere) that has provided you with inspiration or guidance? Please share a little bit about it.

Well, I’m quite biased here because my mother, Ginny Moore Kruse, has been an inspiration to me and so many other librarians in the state. Her leadership with the Cooperative Children’s Books Center (a library of the School of Education at UW-Madison) and her involvement in WLA and ALA taught me about the importance of professional service. Through her deep involvement in professional association committees and leadership roles, I learned that important contributions to our profession only happen because people choose to get involved and contribute their time and efforts.

Do you have any advice for new WLA members?

Get involved! There are many paths to personal and professional growth opportunities through your contributions and service to the profession.