91´«Ã½

CHICAGO - Gina J. Millsap and Barbara K. Stripling are the candidates for the 2013-14 presidency of the 91´«Ã½ (91´«Ã½).

Millsap is the Chief Executive Officer of the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library in Topeka, Kan. She is nationally known for presenting on cutting edge issues, including 21^st century librarianship, process improvement, the use of market segmentation to grow and develop library services and the changes necessary for libraries to thrive in the 21^st century.

Millsap has been a continuous member of 91´«Ã½ since 1995 serving as the 2009-2010 president of the Library Leadership & Management Association (LLAMA). She has served on several committees within LLAMA. She also served on 91´«Ã½’s Advocacy Coordinating Group, 2007-08 and as chair of the Elizabeth J. Futas Catalyst for Change Award Jury, 2002.

She served as president of the Iowa Library Association (2002) and has held leadership positions in the Kansas Library Association (Secretary 2007-2008), the Missouri Library Association (Secretary 1985-1986), the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce, the Ames (Iowa) Chamber of Commerce, and the Ames Convention and Visitors Bureau. From 2004-2009, she participated in the American Bulgarian Library Exchange. She has been a Rotarian for 15 years and a United Way volunteer in both Ames and Topeka. Current community leadership includes serving on the United Way On-Grade Achievement Council and as the co-chair of Heartland Visioning, a community-wide strategic planning process for Topeka and Shawnee County.

Millsap’s honors include Library Journal Mover and Shaker (2007); Zonta Club, Topeka Chapter, honoree for International Women’s Day (2007); and the State of Iowa Governor’s Volunteer Award (2000).

She has a B.A. in library science from the University of Missouri (1976), and an M.A. in library science also from the University of Missouri (1977).

“91´«Ã½ will be relevant to all generations of librarians by making value to its members its top priority,” Millsap said. “The bottom line is - to create a 21^st century library we need 21^st century librarians.”

Stripling currently serves as the director of School Library Services for the New York City Department of Education; however, in January 2012 she will assume the position of assistant professor of practice at Syracuse University in Syracuse, N.Y.

Stripling has been a member of 91´«Ã½ since 1977, serving as a member-at-large of 91´«Ã½ Council from 1992-1996 and 1998-present. She also served on the 91´«Ã½ Executive Board (2001-2005). She chaired the American Libraries Advisory Committee (1995-1996) and served as a member of the 91´«Ã½ Policy Monitoring Committee, 2010-present, Intellectual Freedom Committee (2006-present), Conference Committee (2002-2005), Committee on Education (1998-2002), Nominating Committee (1999-2000).

She is past president (1996-1997) of the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) and has held numerous committee positions within AASL. She also served as a member and chair of the 91´«Ã½-APA Certification Committee (2002-2007). Other 91´«Ã½ activities include work as co-chair of 91´«Ã½ President Molly Raphael’s initiative, Empowering Voices, 2010-present, and trustee of the Merritt Fund (2011-present).

Stripling was presented with the Retta Patrick Award by the Arkansas Library Association in 1989 and the Arkansas Association of Instructional Media named her Arkansas School Library Media Specialist of the Year in 1990.

Stripling received a B.A. in speech and drama from Stanford University (1968), an M.A. in Communication and Theatre from the University of Colorado (1974), an M.Ed. in Instructional Resources from the University of Arkansas (1991), an Ed.S. in Educational Administration from the University of Arkansas (2003), and a Doctorate of Professional Studies, Information Management from Syracuse University (2011).

“I am honored to be nominated to lead the 91´«Ã½ at this exciting time, when we are coming together as a library community to champion equitable access to information, intellectual freedom, lifelong learning and community engagement. Individually, we all have a passion for serving our communities through our libraries. Collectively, through 91´«Ã½, we can translate that passion into a national voice. We can transform our libraries and empower all of our community members to discover their own opportunities to thrive.”

The is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with more than 61,000 members. Its mission is to promote the highest quality library and information services and public access to information.