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ACRL Board Manual 2024-2025

Board Manual for the ACRL Board of Directors.

2.0 About ACRL

The Association of College & Research Libraries (ACRL) is the higher education association for academic libraries and library workers. Representing more than 8,000 individuals and libraries, ACRL (a division of the American Library Association) develops programs, products, and services to help those working in academic and research libraries learn, innovate, and lead within the academic community. Founded in 1940, ACRL is committed to advancing learning and transforming scholarship.

ACRL is the largest division of the American Library Association (ALA). ACRL currently has a membership of more than 8,000 members, accounting for nearly 20% of the total ALA membership.

Overview

ACRL Annual Reports

Annual Reports are posted in the December issue of C&RL News. Recent reports are included below, and annual reports dating to 1995-1996 can be found on the ACRL website. 

Environmental Scans, Trends, & Membership

ACRL Contact and Staff Bios

Contact ACRL

Mailing AddressAssociation of College and Research Libraries
American Library Association
225 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1300
Chicago, IL 60601-7616 
E-mail: acrl@ala.org
Web: www.ala.org/acrl
Telephone
(312) 280-2523
Toll Free: 1 (800) 545-2433, ext. 2523
(between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. CDT)

The ACRL staff wants to help you have a successful year. Feel free to contact us with comments and questions. The ACRL office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (CST) Monday through Friday unless otherwise noted.

Each ALA staff member has a direct telephone line. All prefixes are (312) 280-, followed by the four-digit extension. If you use the toll-free number you will be prompted to enter the extension of the person you wish to speak to.

If we are on the phone or out of our offices, please leave a detailed message that explains what it is that you need. We'll get back to you shortly with the answer to your inquiry.

The members of the ACRL staff and selected job responsibilities are listed below.

Margot Conahan, Manager of Professional Development, mconahan@ala.org | 312-280-2522

Margot Conahan is ACRL’s Manager of Professional Development and oversees all aspects of ACRL’s professional development offerings, including the ACRL Conference, Immersion Program, preconferences, licensed workshops, and institutes. Margot also manages ACRL’s e-Learning program.

Prior to joining ACRL, Margot worked at Sears’ corporate headquarters as a meeting planner. She earned her B.A. in British Literature with a minor in German from Truman State University, escaping Missouri to study abroad in Ireland for one year.

Outside of work, Margot enjoys running, sampling IPAs, volunteering at her kids’ school, cooking, and going to book club. Her newest hobby is obedience training for her family’s 100-pound “puppy."

 

David Connolly, Recruitment Ad Sales Manager/Editorial Assistant, dconnolly@ala.org | 312-280-2513

David Connolly is Recruitment Ad Sales Manager and Editorial Assistant at ACRL where he manages ALA JobLIST, the online career site ACRL operates jointly with American Libraries and ALA’s Office of Human Resources Development and Recruitment. He also tracks manuscript submissions and supports the Editor-in-Chief with other administrative tasks for C&RL News, as well as producing an annual ACRL Briefing Book for the Board of Directors, Budget & Finance Committee, and staff.

Before returning to college to study political science and economics at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, David spent one holiday season too many in the ‘90s as manager of a music store in the Kansas City area, where he frequently demonstrated reference interview and listener advisory skills without realizing that’s what they were.

Born and raised in the great Rocky Mountain States, David loves taking drives and day hikes in the mountains whenever he gets out of the Midwest. He always jumps at an opportunity to travel, but at home he can be found tending to his plot in his neighborhood community garden and colorful porch garden, seeing some of Chicago’s best (and worst) plays, playing video games with friends, and debating the finer points of Star Trek with anyone willing.

David Free, Editor-in-Chief of C&RL News/Senior Communications and Membership Strategist, dfree@ala.org | 312-280-2517

David Free is Editor-in-Chief of College and Research Libraries News and ACRL’s Senior Communications and Membership Strategist. He is responsible for content and production of C&RL News in print and online; develops marketing and communications strategy for ACRL programs, publications, and services; coordinates press releases and promotional activities; and coordinates ACRL’s Standards, Guidelines, and Frameworks.

Prior to joining ACRL in 2007, David worked for years in a variety of positions in academic libraries, beginning as a student assistant at the University of Georgia and concluding as Public Services Coordinator at Georgia Perimeter College’s Decatur Campus. He earned his M.L.I.S. from Clark Atlanta University in 1997, and also holds an M.A. in English from Georgia State University and a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Georgia with an English minor.

An avid music enthusiast with no discernable musical ability, David can often be found at local indie, garage, and punk rock shows. He lives in Chicago with way too many vinyl records and two amazingly friendly cats. 

Rachel Hendrick, CHOICE Editor and Publisher, rhendrick@ala-choice.org 

Rachel joined ALA in 2014 as the operations manager at Choice and in 2016 became the director of operations. During her tenure she has worked on a number of projects at Choice such as the Choice rebranding effort, the relaunch of Choice Reviews, the Authority File podcast, the Towards Inclusive Excellence content stream, and the redesign of Choice360.org as a showcase for all the great content Choice produces. Rachel was initially attracted to Choice because of its mission to provide reviews to academic libraries but she has found there a community of innovative content creators.

Before coming to Choice Rachel worked in both print and digital publishing, most recently at Sotheby’s auction house. In 2012 Rachel received a Master’s in Library and Information Science (MLIS) from Long Island University and worked briefly as a private librarian to a collection of rare books about natural history. She also holds a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts (BFA) from Pratt Institute and is currently working on a Master’s in History at the University of Connecticut. When not at Choice she loves nothing more than to sift through the newspaper collections at the American Antiquarian Society looking for eighteenth-century watermarks.

Brian Lim, Program Coordinator, blim@ala.org

Brian Lim is ACRL’s Program Coordinator for Data and Research. Brian administers and supports ACRL’s data tools including Benchmark: Library Metrics and Trends, Project Outcome for Academic Libraries, and TATIL. He also organizes ACRL's Member of the Week program and assists with generating statistics for the Section Membership Committee.

Prior to joining ACRL, Brian worked as a Operations Coordinator at Stanley Prep, a global educational provider, coordinating program administration for students and working professionals. In his free time, he works on ceramics, walks around the city taking photos, and plays with his two little ferrets.

Bill Mickey, Editorial Director of CHOICE, bmickey@ala-choice.org  | 860-347-6933

Bill Mickey is Editorial Director at Choice. He oversees editorial operations and all print and online content produced by a team of subject editors, a copy chief, and student interns. He also helps develop new content products and initiatives.

Prior to joining Choice, Bill served as Editorial Director of Folio: magazine at Red 7 Media, a division of Access Intelligence.  Bill joined Red 7 Media in 2004 and held a variety of positions within its publishing group, including Senior Editor for Folio: and Executive Editor of Expo magazine.  Prior to joining Red 7, Bill was editor of EContent, where he was instrumental in relaunching the 30-year-old magazine covering the digital content market. Before that, he served as editor of Online magazine, a trade publication serving information professionals and corporate and academic librarians who use online database and digital information products.

After work, Bill sometimes retreats to the local climbing gym or very reluctantly trains for a half-marathon. In the warmer months, you’ll find him obsessing over his barbecue.

Dawn Mueller, Senior Production Editor, dmueller@ala.org | 312-280-2516

Dawn Mueller is Senior Production Editor at ACRL. She is responsible for the production of C&RL, RBM, and all non-serial publications; develops and maintains the ACRL website and microsites; designs and produces all ACRL marketing brochures and flyers; coordinates and prepares proceedings and program books for ACRL conferences.

Prior to joining ACRL, Dawn worked as a desktop publisher for a securities firm and two print shops (not at the same time). She honed her computer and design skills at a marketing consultant service for beauty supply warehouses. She earned her B.A. in English and Women’s Studies from Northern Illinois University.

Most people are surprised to learn that she likes hip-hop. Away from work she spends time running, biking, and contorting her body every which way, invariably resulting in chronic injuries.

Erin Nevius, Content Strategist, enevius@ala.org | 312-280-2529

Erin Nevius is ACRL’s Content Strategist. Erin identifies and acquires content—in a variety of formats, including but not limited to books, e-learning, podcasts, webinars, and blog posts—that will inform academic and research librarians. Her focus is on finding and delivering compelling, timely, and practical content in the format that works best for the audience.

Erin has nearly twenty years of professional publishing experience, acquiring and editing books and working with periodicals and online content for both commercial and not-for-profit publishers. Prior to coming to ACRL, she was an executive editor and then associate director of book publishing at the American Bar Association, and has worked as an editor for both F+W Media and Sourcebooks, Inc. Originally from Ohio, Erin holds a B.A. in English and Communications from Xavier University in Cincinnati.

When not indiscriminately reading all kinds of fiction and nonfiction books, Erin is a swimmer and runner, avid TV binger, print magazine enthusiast, and enjoys watching old movies, good and mostly bad, with her husband. Learn more about Erin in her Meet the Staff profile on the ACRL Insider blog.

Tory Ondrla, Conference Manager, tondrla@ala.org | 312-280-2515

Tory Ondrla is ACRL’s Conference Manager and manages logistics for the ACRL Conference and other professional development events. She facilitates site selection, negotiates hotel, convention center and supplier contracts, executes audio-visual and catering as well as working with various member committees to help them achieve their goals and objectives for ACRL events.

Tory earned her Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) in 2006 from the Convention Industry Council and is a member of the Professional Convention Management Association. She has also served on the Travel Portland Customer Advisory Board and Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau Client Advisory Council. Prior to coming to ACRL, Tory worked at SmithBucklin for 5 years where she planned meetings for technology professionals, glass manufacturers, and gynecologic oncologists.

Tory enjoys reading thrillers and popular fiction and playing mahjong with friends. Learn more about Tory in her Meet the Staff profile on the ACRL Insider blog.

Gena Parsons-Diamond, Program Manager, Data and Research, gparsonsdiamond@ala.org | 312-280-2512

Gena Parsons-Diamond is ACRL’s Program Manager, Data and Research. She provides support for many ACRL programs including the ACRL Diversity Alliance, fundraising, professional development, book publishing, as well as member promotion, recruitment, and retention programs.

Prior to joining ACRL, Gena worked as a Senior Associate at SmithBucklin Corporation, managing membership and awards programs for several small trade associations. She holds a Master of Arts Management from Columbia College Chicago and a B.A. in English from Lawrence University.

Gena grew up in Wisconsin and loves living in Chicago. In her free time, Gena likes to explore the city, read nonfiction, play cribbage, and attempt to successfully bake bread.

Allison Payne (she/her), Interim Executive Director, apayne@ala.org | 312-280-2519

Allison Payne is ACRL’s Interim Executive Director. She coordinates activities of the association’s Board of Directors and Budget & Finance Committee; prepares and maintains the ACRL budget; and manages initiatives for equity, diversity and inclusion.

Prior to joining ACRL, Allison has been a library assistant at Kraft Foods Global Research & Development, worked at the University of Iowa Libraries’ Preservation Department, and tutored incarcerated youth in Chicago. She holds an M.L.I.S from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and a B.A. in English with a minor in Psychology from the University of Iowa.

Allison enjoys traveling, gardening, and playing tennis. Learn more about Allison in her Meet the Staff profile on the ACRL Insider blog.

Elois Sharpe, Program Officer, esharpe@ala.org | 312-280-5277

Elois Sharpe is ACRL’s Program Officer. She coordinates ACRL meeting scheduling for ALA conferences and is the contact for ACRL’s virtual meetings. She assists with division-level appointments and annual timeline. In addition she coordinates ACRL’s donation processing and the fulfillment of Frameworks and Standards orders.

Prior to coming to ACRL, Elois worked at IFT as an Information Representative, communicating, troubleshooting and resolving issues and concerns for the organization’s members and other constituents.  Elois earned her B.A. in Criminal Justice from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Elois enjoys good action movies and strolling through Chicago’s museums.

 

Ari Zickau (they/them/he/him), Program Manager for Consulting and Professional Development, azickau@ala.org | 312-280-2521

Ari Zickau is ACRL's Program Manager for Consulting and Professional Development, leading and managing both ACRL’s Consulting Services and RoadShow licensed workshops. They oversee ACRL’s team of experienced adjunct consultants and work to expand Consulting Services through strategic marketing and outreach. Ari also ensures high-quality professional development for academic and research libraries through ACRL's online and in-person RoadShow program.