Ballots for electing officers for the READS Executive Board were sent to all current READS members on August 27. Ballots were sent to members via email using Ballotbin.com online election tool. For members who opted for paper communication when joining NHLA and READS, ballots were mailed on August 27 to members who provided a home address, and sent via NHSL van to those who provided a library address.

The deadline for voting is Friday, September 28. Results will be announced at the Annual Meeting, the first item of business at READS Fall Conference on October 26.

Also on the agenda for the READS Annual Meeting are two proposed Bylaws changes.

Here are bios of the two candidates running for office this year:

Vice President/President-Elect: Katherine Dormody
Katherine Dormody has worked in libraries for the last 18 years. She holds a B.A. in psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a M.L.I.S. from Dominican University in River Forest, Il. Originally an academic librarian, Katherine quickly realized that her real passion lay in public libraries. Since that time, she’s worked as a children’s librarian, a technical services librarian, an assistant director and finally as the director of the Gilford Public Library, where she has been for the last twelve years. Some of her favorite projects at the Gilford Public Library include the building and opening of the new library in 2008, and the ongoing ‘rethinking Dewey’ classification system for nonfiction titles. As a librarian, she enjoys offering a center for all community members.

Treasurer: Deann Hunter
For the past nine years, I have worked as a Librarian at the Laconia Public Library in Adult Services. My responsibilities include maintaining the adult nonfiction and reference collections, implementing adult programming, assisting patrons with their reference needs, serving at the circulation desk, and preparing monthly statistical reports as well as the NH Public Library Annual Report. Before coming to Laconia I worked for two years as the Children’s Librarian at the Pillsbury Free Library in Warner and as the Teen Librarian at the Hall Memorial Library in Northfield. I hold a B.A. in English from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania and received my M.L.I.S. from the University of Rhode Island in 2004. I have been a member of NHLA since my career in Librarianship began and have served as the Treasurer of READS for the past four years.

The ballot includes the option to write in a candidate for each office.