September 8, 2022 — ATLANTA — The Association of Southeastern Research Libraries (ASERL) is pleased to announce that Karen Manning, longtime Metadata Repository Specialist for the Georgia Tech Library, has been selected as ASERL’s first-ever Visiting Program Officer for Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) Networking. In this role Manning will work to develop new activities providing a forum for BIPOC people working in ASERL libraries to develop professional connections and gain support in their career development.
“This is fantastic news and well deserved,” said Leslie Sharp, Dean of Libraries for Georgia Tech. “Karen is an exceptional colleague and human being who brings all that she has to work and any other activity with which she is involved.” Manning also currently serves as the President of the Georgia Library Association. She also recently finished a term as the inaugural Chair of the Georgia Tech Library Diversity Council and served on the working group that developed recommendations for improving diversity at the GT Library, including forming the council.
Elaina Norlin, ASERL’s Professional Development and DEI Coordinator, cheered the decision: “Karen Manning brings passion, energy, emotional intelligence and creativity to the Visiting Program Officer position. We are so excited to have her as part of our team as she works her magic.”
Dean Sharp added, “Karen’s service to the library community underscores how seriously she values librarianship, cares for the profession, knows that change is possible, and most importantly believes in the people who make up our institutions.”
ASERL’s Diversity Equity and Inclusion programming is rapidly evolving. For information on recent programming, please see the DEI Program page. Future webinars and other events can be found on the Events page. Questions and suggestions about this work can be directed to Elaina Norlin (enorlin@aserl.org).
About the Association of Southeastern Research Libraries
Founded in 1956, ASERL is one of the largest regional research library consortia in the United States, serving 38 institutional members in 12 states. ASERL provides highly acclaimed programming, cultivates important conversations, and nurtures relationships among library leaders in the Southeast. By working together, ASERL members provide and maintain top-quality resources and services for the students, faculty, and citizens of their respective communities. ASERL is housed in the Robert W. Woodruff Library at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. See www.aserl.org for more information.