Your name, current work place and position (for students, please tell us what school you’re attending and if you have chosen a specialization):
Paolo P. Gujilde, National Louis University, Associate Professor/Collections and Scholarly Communications Librarian
Where did you attend school for your MLIS degree?
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
How long have you been an APALA member? Why did you first join? Are you currently involved as an officer/committee member/other volunteer?
I’ve been a member of APALA since 2011–ALA Annual in New Orleans. I attended the Spectrum Leadership Institute and met some wonderful APALA officers/members. They were very animated. I felt a little intimidated but they were very welcoming. Though that, I attended the Saturday APALA dinner and got to know more people. Since then, I’ve been actively involved in the organization and coincidentally, I assumed the APALA presidency at this year’s ALA Annual in New Orleans. I find that interesting.
We’re very interested in the diversity of ethnic/cultural heritage within APALA. Please share your ethnic/cultural heritage with us and any other background information, as desired.
I immigrated to the U.S. from the Philippines. I have been here for a little over 20 years now. You can actually read a little bit more about my journey via APALA’s “What is Your Normal?” essay series.
What aspects of librarianship are key to your personal satisfaction at work? Please share some of your professional goals and interests.
Since becoming a librarian, I have settled and enjoyed being in collection development and scholarly communications. These have been my focus the last five years. In addition, I have incorporated my interest in diversity, equity, and inclusion into my work in library collection services. In fact, I have had opportunities to present with fellow APALA members on these area of librarianship.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
I am excited to be this year’s (2018-2019) APALA President and even more excited to be working with APALA members on the executive board, committees, and the general membership. This year, I am looking forward to continue the wonderful work we have been doing in the last 38 years as an organization. That’s right! We are close to celebrating our 40th!