RRT NEWSLETTER

Spring 2008

RRT CANDIDATES BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

Candidates for Chair-Elect:

Candidates for Secretary/Treasurer:

CANDIDATES FOR CHAIR-ELECT:

Karen B. Nichols
Instruction Coordinator
Lamar University

Education:
MS Library Science, Univ of North Texas, Denton TX, 1988; MS Speech / Communication, Lamar University, Beaumont TX, 1983; BS Speech / Theatre, Lamar University, Beaumont TX, 1980; MS Library Science, Univ of North Texas, Denton TX, 1988; MS Speech / Communication, Lamar University, Beaumont TX, 1983; BS Speech / Theatre, Lamar University, Beaumont TX, 1980.

Professional Experience:
Instruction Coordinator, Lamar University, Beaumont TX, 1995 - ; Instruction Coordinator, Lamar University, Beaumont TX, 1995 - ; Interim Coordinator of Reference Services, Lamar University, Beaumont TX, 1999 - 2005; Electronic Reference Services Librarian, Lamar University, Beaumont TX, 1993 - 1995; Interlibrary Loan Librarian, Lamar University, Beaumont TX, 1991 - 1993; Public Services Librarian, Galveston College, Galveston TX, 1988 - 1991.

Professional Activities:
TLA: CULD, Councilor, 2007 -; Library Instruction RT, Program Chair, 2002 - 2003; Reference RT, Secretary, 2003 - 2004; Reference RT, Booth sub-committee chair, 2002 - 2003; Tall Texan RT, Selection Committee member, 2008
International Reading Association, member, 2002 - 2007 Popular Culture Association, member, 2002 - 2004

Publications:
Presentation: Using Blended Books to Teach Reading. International Reading Association, Reno, Nevada, 2004. Presentation: Using Picture Books to Teach and Enhance Reading with Middle School Students. International Reading Association, Orlando, Florida, 2003. Presentation: Mars in Film. Popular Culture Association, Toronto, Canada, 2002.

Honors:
Selected as a TALL Texan, 1996.

Statement of Concerns:
Reference service continues to be a vital part of libraries and RRT should continue to assist members in being prepared for the challenges of the future. We need to band together to develop new and exciting ways to reach and assist patrons. They need our help more than ever with all of the new technologies and the massive amount of information available. RRT also needs to continue to work on recruiting new talent to our field.

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CANDIDATES FOR SECRETARY/TREASURER:

Peter Cortez
Head Reference Librarian
University of Texas Pan American

Education:
MBA, UT - Pan American, Fall 2008; MLS, University of North Texas, August 2000; BBA, UT - Pan American, May 1997.

Professional Experience:
Head Reference Librarian, UT - Pan American, Jan 2002 - Present; Outreach Services Librarian, UT - Pan American, Nov 2000 - Jan 2002; Reference Librarian, McAllen Memorial Library, June 1999 - Nov 2000.

Professional Activities:
TLA: TLA District 4, Chair, 2004; TALL Texan Selection Committee , Member, 2005, 2007; Professional Rights & Responsibilities Cte., Member , 2006 - Present.

Publications:
"A Library's role in Distance Education" - District 4 Meeting - October 2001 "Integrating the Library Into Your Course" [co-presenter] - IOL - May 2006

Honors:
TALL Texans, 2003.

Statement of Concerns:
Reference is my passion. I'm amazed at the pace of change facing librarians and library users with regard to library resources and amenities. I think its crucial and in our best interests to evolve and expand our offerings and modes of delivery in order to meet the needs of users today and in the future. By doing so, we'll add value to our organizations and will become invaluable to our constituents.

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Jan Tidwell
Reference/Instruction Librarian
Texas State Univ - San Marcos

Education:
B.A. English, University of Texas - Tyler, August 1995; MLIS, University of Texas - Austin, May 1997.

Professional Experience:
Reference/Instruction Librarian, Texas State Univ - San Marcos, 01/1999-current; Information Literacy Coordinator, Texas State Univ - San Marcos, 07/2000 - 12/2006; Interim Head, Reference Department, Texas State Univ - San Marcos, 07/2003 - 02/2004; Reference Librarian, Bryan/College Station Public Library, 06/1997 - 12/1998; Library Assistant, Van Zandt County Public Library, Canton, TX, 02/1986- 12/1993.

Professional Activities:
TLA: College and University Libraries, member, 2001; Government Documents, member, 2001; Acquisitions & Collection Development, member, 2001; Reference, member, 2001; Library Instruction, member, 2001. ALA: ACRL, member, 2003; RUSA, member, 2003; ACRL-IS, member, 2003; RUSA-RSS, member, 2003; RUSA- HS, member, 2003.

Honors:
Unclassified Staff of the Year, 2002, 2002; IT Division Team Award, Bookmarks Library Newsletter Editorial Team, 2004.

Statement of Concerns:
My goal is to become more involved with the Reference Round Table in order to bring awareness to others in the library community the issues important to reference work for all types of libraries and their staff. Issues such as e-Books and publishing, digital collections, virtual reference, and most importantly, exploring new ways to reach patrons in order to provide useful and effective reference services.

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