Submitted by E. Bailey Sterling; edited by JJ Pionke.
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Institution: Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM), Region 3
Title: Digital Communications Specialist
Brief description of responsibilities:
NNLM is the field force for the National Library of Medicine. I am responsible for client-facing digital communications that support the mission of NNLM.
Why is MLA important to you?
MLA allows me to connect with new and experienced librarians from around the nation and world. I am also grateful for the venue to present research and engage with fellow authors and presenters.
What was your first library job or first professional position?
The one I am in now! I had the pleasure of staying home to raise my children and complete my education for the decade immediately preceding my current position.
What is your advice to someone taking on a new role in leadership in MLA or in some other capacity?
I am always a fan of advising people to step outside their comfort zone—just get out there and DO IT! Apply, sign up, volunteer; do what you can to connect!
What do you consider to be the most pressing issues or trends in librarianship?
Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is and always will be—in my opinion—the most important issue in this profession.
Bucket list:
Seeing the Northern Lights.
What do you do in your spare time?
I am a devoted tabletop gamer with close to 350 games in my own collection! I also love to bake, quilt, and read.
What are you most proud of?
Volunteering in my community, conducting research projects, and completing my graduate career, even through a pandemic, snowpocalypse (where my TX people at??), and homeschooling because of COVID.
