Christi Buker
Hello, my name is Christi Buker, and I am the new Executive Director at the Pennsylvania Library Association as of June 23. Please allow me to introduce myself.
For the past 10 years, I was the Executive Director of the Central Pennsylvania Chapter Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC). The IEC is a non-profit, trade association of small and medium size businesses that joined together for purposes of training individuals to become electricians, as well as continuing education for experienced electricians and business owners. Prior to that I worked in the hotel and tradeshow services industries in sales and service roles. I also spent over a year in Japan as the 4-H International Intern representing youth exchange programs. 4-H is a youth development program for boys and girls, and I have been a life-long 4-H’er, including currently serving as an adult volunteer leader.
You probably figured out by now – I am not a librarian. So why would I be interested in working for library professionals and institutions? The short answer is that I believe in the importance of education and life-long learning in all forms. Libraries offer books and a multitude of resources for all ages, including programming and community connections. They are an important part of education and learning. Yet, from my observations, libraries and librarians are sometimes overlooked. I see an opportunity to help the profession and the institutions stand up and be noticed for being the fantastic pillars of our communities that we are!
Yes, you will notice that I am using “we” because the Pennsylvania Library Association is here to engage all of the library world – from patrons, residents, staff, students, volunteers, professionals, various institutional structures, to trustees. What I really like about associations is that they help to create connections – connections with other members who are perhaps at a similar stage in their careers, connections based on your type of institution, or connections for particular types of programming. These connections help not only individual librarians but also the institutions they serve, and together help strengthen all of Pennsylvania.
One of the things I have already noticed in my few weeks here is that librarians are probably one of the most passionate groups of professionals that I have ever met. I looked at the Bureau of Labor Statistics and librarians are certainly not the highest paid profession especially when considering the high level of education required to be one. Obviously you don’t chose to be a librarian for the money! A prime example would be the fantastic individuals who even chose to become librarians as second careers!!
Another observation about libraries is that you are doing some amazing things in terms of programming, developing resources, and maximizing every penny available for the good of your community. Having said that, I’ve found that there seems to be an overly humble attitude about these great achievements. Perhaps it isn’t humility, and it is more that librarians are so focused on the work itself, that they’ve forgotten to look up from the grindstone and see the impact they are making in their surrounding community. Whatever the reason, I am impressed by the many great programs, institutions, and professionals I’ve met in the Pennsylvania library world, and I haven’t even met all of you yet!
It can be a little daunting to consider the accomplishments the Pennsylvania Library Association has achieved over the 20 years under the leadership of Glenn Miller. As I reflect on how to best continue and move forward, I’d like to think about our transition as having similarities to the lighting of the Olympic torch. It is a long journey that the Olympic torch travels. Over the journey, many different runners will carry the flame. The route is diverse and typically covers a wide variety of history, geography and tradition in each host country. In Pennsylvania Library Association terms, our long history started when we were founded in 1901. Our journey has highlighted many successes and some challenges. Many, many volunteers, and a small, but dedicated team of staff, have all helped to carry the torch. Our goal is to light the cauldron! The perpetual flame of the cauldron represents the unity of our mission to advance all libraries and library professionals in Pennsylvania.
I am but one of the runners carrying this important torch. I invite you to join the team that is carrying the torch and help light the cauldron! Want to know how? Please send me an email at christi@palibraries.org or call me at 717-766-7663.
I am honored to be a part of the Pennsylvania Library Association, and look forward to working with you to advance libraries throughout this Commonwealth!
Christi