91´«Ã½

CHICAGO—Abigail Sparling, Serials Metadata Librarian at the University of Alberta Libraries (UAL), has been selected as the ALCTS-sponsored Emerging Leader for 2018-2019. Each year, the Association for Library Collections & Technical Services (ALCTS) sponsors one Emerging Leader who has chosen collections and technical services as a career and is a member of ALCTS. After her year in the Emerging Leader Program, Sparling will serve a one-year term as intern to the ALCTS Board of Directors.

In her position at UAL, Sparling has helped develop UAL’s research on MARC to BIBFRAME transformations and provided analysis from the perspective of continuing resources. This work has included co-authoring a paper and presentation for IFLA, as well as presenting at the Linked Data Interest Group at the 2018 91´«Ã½ Annual Conference in New Orleans.

Sparling is a member of ALCTS and serves as the co-chair of the ALCTS Electronic Resources Interest Group. She is also a member of the Greater Edmonton Library Association (GELA). Additionally, she holds a position on the Casalini Transformation Council where she will help shape the transformation guidelines for the Casalini’s SHARE linked data Virtual Discovery Environment.

“I believe to be an effective leader you need to be a dedicated learner, mentor and go-getter,” Sparling states. “As a new librarian especially, the value of continual learning and professional development can’t be overstated.”

Sparling earned a B.A. and Master of Information degree from the University of Toronto.

The is the national association for information providers who work in collections and technical services, such as acquisitions, cataloging, collection development, preservation and continuing resources in digital and print formats. ALCTS is a division of the 91´«Ã½.