Chris Houchens, Charleston Carnegie Public Library
Statement of Concern
When I was contacted by the Nominating Committee to see if I would be interested in joining the slate for this position, I knew right away my answer was yes. When the people in my life asked me why, my response was “Because I want to help.” And that’s it. My desire to help is the reason why I said yes to join the Advocacy Committee. It is the reason I keep finding myself saying yes when asked if I want to join a board or committee. It is the reason I want to work in public libraries. I want to help.
I have spent my life in a library. I grew up as the son of a librarian, spending my summers in my hometown library, where my mom still works by the way. (Hi, Mom!) I have seen my entire life how much a library can do for its community. Libraries are beacons of knowledge and literacy and fun. I have no doubt that everyone reading this has wonderful memories centered on a library. But now as a Director of one, I can see all of the work that goes on behind the scenes. I understand all of the work that takes a library to exist from financial planning to personnel to library law! It is all of the work the general public does not realize goes into everything we do. And that is where ILA comes in.
ILA provides so much knowledge, resources, guidance, and more to libraries across the state. We all have so much going on and ILA is here to help us figure it all out. How could I not want to be a part of that? It would be an honor to be elected to the ILA Executive Board, and if I am, I will do my best to help.
Experience
Charleston Carnegie Public Library
Director, 2017 – Present
Reference/Service Desk Clerk, 2007-2009
Residence Hall Libraries, University of Illinois
Ikenberry Commons Library Supervisor, 2015-2016
Education
MSLIS, University of Illinois, 2016
MA English, Eastern Illinois University, 2011
BA English, Eastern Illinois University, 2009
Professional Memberships and Activities
Illinois Library Association, Member
Advocacy Committee, 2021 - Present
Reader’s Bridge Board Member, 2017 – Present
EIU Academy of Lifelong Learning Advisory Board, 2019 – Present
Director’s University, Participant, 2017
Director’s University 2.0, Participant, 2022
iREAD Summer Reading Programs
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