2017 ULS Candidate for Member-at-Large: Bruce Henson
Bruce Henson is one of three candidates this year for ULS Member-at-Large. He is the Associate Dean of Research and Learning Services at Georgia Institute of Technology Library. Read this interview to learn more about Bruce and what his goals would be if elected as Member-at-Large.
Tell us more about yourself and how you became an academic librarian.
I received my MLS in May 1997 and began my librarian career at the Georgia Tech Library in February 1998 as a Reference Librarian. I am currently the Associate Dean for Learning and Research Services at Georgia Tech Library. I originally planned to stay only three years at Georgia Tech and have chosen to stay because of the opportunities to participate in an always evolving research library, which has had an environment of experimentation. Becoming a librarian was a mid-life career change—I worked for over a decade as an Audio-Visual Technician at a community college library (when AV meant filmstrips and 16mm films), during which time I earned a BA and decided to pursue an MLS.
How long have you been involved in ULS and what attracted you to the section?
I’ve been a ULS member since the beginning of my librarian career in 1998, when a mentor helped guide me to a committee membership on the ULS Communications Membership Committee. I subsequently served as Co-chair of the ULS Communications Committee from 2000-2002, Chair of the ULS Membership Committee from 2002-2006 (which was a brand new committee), ULS Member at Large from 2005 – 2008, and as a member of the ULS Program Committee (2002-2003), ULS Nominating Committee (2008 – 2009) and ULS 2010 Program Planning Committee (2008 – 2010). I was attracted to the section because of the opportunities to network and learn, and because people in the section were very willing to mentor me.
In your opinion, what are some of the most interesting topics or trends we are seeing in university libraries?
A fascinating project that I’m involved with is the reimagining of the Georgia Tech Library, including the complete renovation of buildings, a new organization and infrastructure, and redesigning services for the 21st century research library. Part of the project is to create a library online presence that is as good as or better than the library’s physical presence.
4. What goals for the section would you have if elected to this position? How do you envision committees and members helping the section achieve those goals?
To maximize university libraries sharing information and best practices on how to best serve our users and redefine our services and resources. ULS. To serve as a place for networking and mentoring and learning.
Where do you see ULS going in the future? How does it need to change and evolve to stay relevant to academic librarians?
As the largest ACRL section, ULS has the potential to serve as a valuable source of professional development and information sharing and discussion. Because of its size, being relevant to all members is a challenge, which can be addressed by ULS continuing to be adaptable to its members’ needs, as it has in recent years in the areas of committee membership.
Tell us something interesting about yourself that not very many people know.
I read about 200 books a year, fiction and non-fiction and am an avid fan of movies and film history.
Read our interviews with the other candidates for ULS Member-at-Large, Nancy Garmer: http://www.acrl.ala.org/ULS/2017-uls-candidate-for-member-at-large-nancy-garmer/ and Ryan Litsey: http://www.acrl.ala.org/ULS/2017-uls-candidate-for-member-at-large-ryan-litsey/
