Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Affiliations
Accomplishments
Timeline
Generic

Alison Huftalen

Librarian
Toledo,OH

Summary

Library professional with proven expertise in managing library operations, fostering team collaboration, and adapting to evolving needs. Known for strong organizational skills, strategic planning, and effective resource management. Adept at enhancing user experience, implementing new technologies, and maintaining high standards. Focused on achieving results and driving continuous improvement.

Overview

24
24
years of professional experience
8
8
years of post-secondary education
3
3
Languages

Work History

Head Librarian

Toledo Museum of Art
08.2009 - 08.2024
  • Directed operations of a museum library housing 100,000 volumes and managing 80 subscriptions
  • Coordinated and provided research and access services to a diverse group of patrons including curators, scholars, undergraduate students and the general public
  • Promoted library collections and services through programs and outreach
  • Managed and developed a specialized library collection through acquisitions and collection development in support of both museum collections and exhibitions and the undergraduate art curriculum at the University of Toledo. Managed acquisition of new materials, ensuring a diverse and up-to-date collection for patrons.
  • Managed access services, and the circulation of maintenance of library collections
  • Provided personalized instruction services for undergraduate art students, and museum docents
  • Supervised and managed a staff of professional librarians, archivist, paraprofessionals, volunteers and interns including hiring and performance management
  • Collaborated with faculty to integrate library collections into coursework and assignments
  • Streamlined internal workflow through evaluation of long-term services and policies and implemented new and updated cataloging and access policies to increase efficiencies
  • Established a collection development policy to realign the library’s collections with the strategic goals of the museum
  • Collaborated with museum departments to integrate library and collection services into exhibitions, projects and programs
  • Oversaw and conducted collection weeding by developing right-sizing policies and procedures
  • Collaborated with cataloger to implement reparative description in the library’s cataloging and classification
  • Developed and maintained relationships with donors with friends of the library program, and providing tours to donor groups
  • Active participant in institutional Belonging Committee, collaborated on creation of a vendor diversity policy, and labor acknowledgement
  • Boosted community engagement with the library by organizing regular events, workshops, and guest speakers. Inaugurated the Art Book Club.
  • Evaluated staff performance regularly, offering constructive feedback and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Researched, planned, and set up attractive and informative library exhibits.

Catalog Librarian

Toledo Museum of Art
06.2008 - 07.2009
  • Initiated and spearheaded a project to update the design of the library’s OPAC, improving access to library information and collections
  • Conducted both copy and original cataloging of art related books and exhibition catalogs to provide and improve access to library resources
  • Developed bibliographic resource lists and curated themed displays, enhancing collection visibility
  • Increased patron satisfaction with timely responses to reference inquiries, utilizing extensive knowledge of information sources.

Assistant to the Librarian, and Acting Librarian

Art Institute of Boston at Lesley University
10.2000 - 05.2003
  • Successfully headed library operations for 3 months in the absence of a head librarian, a challenge due to the existence of only one other staff member
  • Provided reference and instruction services to undergraduate art students
  • Managed access services, including circulation, ILL and automated reserves
  • Assisted in evaluation and selection of a new ILS, participating in meetings with librarians from 9 consortium libraries

Education

M.L.S. - Library Science

St. John’s University
Jamaica, NY
08.2005 - 09.2007

M.A. - Art History and Criticism

Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY
08.2003 - 05.2005

B.A. - Fine Arts

Alfred University
Alfred, NY
08.1996 - 05.2000

Skills

  • Information management
  • Organizational skills
  • Acquisitions, collection development & management
  • Budget administration
  • Advanced knowledge of Microsoft office suite
  • Teamwork and collaboration
  • Proficient in Koha ILS (all modules)
  • Materials acquisition
  • Library management systems

Affiliations

  • ARLIS/Ohio Valley Chapter [Website Committee, Chair, Listserv Moderator]
  • ARLIS/NA [Professional Development Committee, Museum Division Moderator, Annual Conference Committee]
  • Collingwood Arts Center: Board Member (2013 - present)

Accomplishments

  • State of Museum Libraries White Paper, co-author (2011)
  • Led the successful migration from Spydus ILS to Koha, an open-source system, improving efficiency of workflow in technical services, communications and the online catalog.
  • Advanced the staffing of the library by justifying the need for more professional positions and increasing that from one to four.
  • Spearheaded the library’s first digitization project of over 200 museum publications, followed by an additional 400 publications to improve access and visibility of the library’s collections.

Timeline

Head Librarian

Toledo Museum of Art
08.2009 - 08.2024

Catalog Librarian

Toledo Museum of Art
06.2008 - 07.2009

M.L.S. - Library Science

St. John’s University
08.2005 - 09.2007

M.A. - Art History and Criticism

Stony Brook University
08.2003 - 05.2005

Assistant to the Librarian, and Acting Librarian

Art Institute of Boston at Lesley University
10.2000 - 05.2003

B.A. - Fine Arts

Alfred University
08.1996 - 05.2000

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