Loriene Roy
Encyclopedia
Loriene Roy is an American librarian
from Texas
. She was the 2007-08 President of the American Library Association
(ALA).
from the University of Arizona
and received her Doctorate degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
.
in 1987, where she teaches in the School of Information and the Center for Women’s and Gender Studies.
Roy focuses her work on developing and promoting library services and cultural heritage initiatives with and for indigenous populations, public libraries, and measurement and evaluation of library services. She founded and directs a national reading club for Native children called “If I Can Read, I Can Do Anything,” and a scholarship program for indigenous students called “Honoring Generations” that is funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services
.
Roy says that “there are barriers to library use. One is creating the family tradition of supporting libraries and reading. Another is that libraries need to adapt flexible policies-including open hours, circulation length of loan. Tribal libraries can be exciting plans that support cultural expression and should be the place where Native language learning takes place, where records are housed and organized, where children and family members gather.”
(ALA) on June 28, 2006, and was inaugurated as the 2007–2008 President of ALA at the 2007 ALA Annual Conference, becoming the first Native President of the ALA.
Roy outlined three main platform issues when she became President: supporting literacy, promoting LIS education through practice, and creating programs for workplace wellness
. To help fulfill these goals, she formed working circles in place of traditional task forces, bringing a greater element of inclusivity and community to the work of the presidency. From the presidency Roy says she learned "to face your fears or deficiencies...that many people have ideas for you but only a few are willing to step up and really help. Keep those people happy!"
Previously, Roy was elected ALA Councilor-At-Large for two terms, 1997-2000 and 2004-2006, and served on a number of ALA Council Committees including the Committee on Education, Committee on Committees, Committee on the Status of Women in Librarianship, and Nominating Committee. Roy was also the 1997-1998 President of the American Indian Library Association, and she is a proud member of the Corazon de Tejas chapter of REFORMA and Associate Member of Te Ropu Whakahau, Maori in Libraries and Information Management.
Librarian
A librarian is an information professional trained in library and information science, which is the organization and management of information services or materials for those with information needs...
from Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. She was the 2007-08 President of the American Library Association
American Library Association
The American Library Association is a non-profit organization based in the United States that promotes libraries and library education internationally. It is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with more than 62,000 members....
(ALA).
Background and education
Loriene Roy was born and raised in rural towns bordering the Fond du Lac Reservation in northern Minnesota. She is Anishinabe, a member of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, and is enrolled on the White Earth Reservation. Roy received a Master’s degree in Library ScienceLibrary science
Library science is an interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary field that applies the practices, perspectives, and tools of management, information technology, education, and other areas to libraries; the collection, organization, preservation, and dissemination of information resources; and the...
from the University of Arizona
University of Arizona
The University of Arizona is a land-grant and space-grant public institution of higher education and research located in Tucson, Arizona, United States. The University of Arizona was the first university in the state of Arizona, founded in 1885...
and received her Doctorate degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign is a large public research-intensive university in the state of Illinois, United States. It is the flagship campus of the University of Illinois system...
.
Career
Roy joined the faculty at the University of Texas at AustinUniversity of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin...
in 1987, where she teaches in the School of Information and the Center for Women’s and Gender Studies.
Roy focuses her work on developing and promoting library services and cultural heritage initiatives with and for indigenous populations, public libraries, and measurement and evaluation of library services. She founded and directs a national reading club for Native children called “If I Can Read, I Can Do Anything,” and a scholarship program for indigenous students called “Honoring Generations” that is funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services
Institute of Museum and Library Services
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is an independent agency of the United States federal government established in 1996. It is the main source of federal support for libraries and museums within the United States, having the mission to "create strong libraries and museums that connect...
.
Roy says that “there are barriers to library use. One is creating the family tradition of supporting libraries and reading. Another is that libraries need to adapt flexible policies-including open hours, circulation length of loan. Tribal libraries can be exciting plans that support cultural expression and should be the place where Native language learning takes place, where records are housed and organized, where children and family members gather.”
American Library Association
Roy began as President-Elect of the American Library AssociationAmerican Library Association
The American Library Association is a non-profit organization based in the United States that promotes libraries and library education internationally. It is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with more than 62,000 members....
(ALA) on June 28, 2006, and was inaugurated as the 2007–2008 President of ALA at the 2007 ALA Annual Conference, becoming the first Native President of the ALA.
Roy outlined three main platform issues when she became President: supporting literacy, promoting LIS education through practice, and creating programs for workplace wellness
Workplace wellness
Workplace wellness is a program offered by some employers as a combination of educational, organizational, and environmental activities designed to support behavior conducive to the health of employees in a business and their families...
. To help fulfill these goals, she formed working circles in place of traditional task forces, bringing a greater element of inclusivity and community to the work of the presidency. From the presidency Roy says she learned "to face your fears or deficiencies...that many people have ideas for you but only a few are willing to step up and really help. Keep those people happy!"
Previously, Roy was elected ALA Councilor-At-Large for two terms, 1997-2000 and 2004-2006, and served on a number of ALA Council Committees including the Committee on Education, Committee on Committees, Committee on the Status of Women in Librarianship, and Nominating Committee. Roy was also the 1997-1998 President of the American Indian Library Association, and she is a proud member of the Corazon de Tejas chapter of REFORMA and Associate Member of Te Ropu Whakahau, Maori in Libraries and Information Management.