Jina DuVernay: Emerging Leader.

Jina DuVernay (visiting archivist, Rose Library) was selected this year as one of the American Library Association’s (ALA) 2019 Emerging Leaders.

An ALA member since 2017, Jina was one of 50 librarians selected in this year’s cohort. Each applicant was asked the question, “Where do you see libraries in the future?”

“I see the future of the profession as one in which librarians are community agents,” wrote Jina. “We will continue to help rebuild libraries lost to disasters, fill the gap of available resources for failing school districts and underserved communities, and continue to be advocates for positive change in communities.”

As a recipient of this honor, she is required to attend the midwinter and annual conferences.

At the midwinter conference, the 50 honorees took part in a day-long workshop and were assigned to a team. Each team could then select an initiative to research and present at the ALA Annual Conference. Jina’s team has selected a project where they compile a list of speakers for library professional development in the area of diversity, equity and inclusion.

“The experience has been wonderful because I havent been an ALA member very long and being a member of this cohort has opened up a broader network of library professionals I can call upon,” said Jina.

To read the an article about the program, go to page 36 of American Libraries Magazine.