NSU Library staff on Libraries Association Board of Directors

(Broken Arrow, Okla.) On Sept. 25, Tom Rink, an instructor for Library Services as NSUBA was named president-elect for 2015 for the Special Libraries Association (SLA).

Rink, who has been a member of SLA since 1997, has served in several local and state capacities within the organization, and served on the Board of Directors as Division Cabinet Chair from 2008 to 2010. During his time on Board he chaired the Division Structure Task Force and he currently serves on the Finance committee.

The appointment will last three years with Rink spending a year as president-elect, a year as president and a year as past president.

In addition to being excited, I am humbled and honored for the opportunity to further serve the Association. The Special Libraries Association has served me well and has provided me with a host of leadership and growth opportunities throughout my career, said Rink.

I hope to focus my energies on the sustainability of the organization and its value proposition so that SLA will continue to be the global organization for innovative information professionals and their strategic partners for years to come.

Rink also serves as the Resource Coordinator for the College of Liberal Arts and the College of Science & Health Professions. While earning his library degree Rink served as a full-time police officer for the Tulsa Police Department. He served in this capacity for 25 years before retiring from his law enforcement career in 2007.

Although Rink described his career in law enforcement as extremely rewarding, he always knew he would need something lined up for the next phase of his life. While working a graveyard beat in North Tulsa, Rink was simultaneously acquiring his Masters in Library and Information Studies.

Initially I was thinking about an immediate career change, but upon completing my degree I was offered the opportunity to build a library "from scratch" for the police department. Being able to pursue both careers simultaneously was fortuitous indeed and allowed me to complete and retire from my law enforcement career while preparing myself for the transition into my next career in academic librarianship.

Steven R. Edscorn, Executive Director of Libraries for NSU, explained that this appointment to the SLA is, in his opinion, both well-deserved and a wonderful reflection on NSU Libraries and the university as a whole.

Mr. Rink approaches librarianship with experimental curiosity, a commitment to improving service, a healthy sense of professionalism, a relentless work ethic, an unusual sense of humor, and a contagious sense of joy. These traits make him an outstanding library faculty member, said Edscorn.

The SLA is a non-profit international organization for innovative information professionals and their strategic partners that serves more than 60 countries in business, academia and government capacities.