Statement
The tools we as library technologists choose to use exist in an ethical context that we cannot ignore. Technology is not neutral; we can all too readily imagine a world where library technology invades patron privacy rather than protects it; where it algorithmically amplifies biases rather than improves equitable access to information. But we can also imagine a better world: building tools collaboratively and making technical choices that match our best library ethics. Our choices about how we choose to support our colleagues and mentor the next generation affect whether our profession will ultimately reflect everyone we serve. However, no one can go it alone; I believe that LITA and ALA have an important role to play in buttressing our professional ethical choices. As a long-time member of LITA and allied professional organizations and collaborations, I pledge to use my experience to further ethical library technology and strengthen LITA.
Current Position
Infrastructure and Added Services Manager, Equinox Open Library Initiative, Duluth, GA
Type of Organization
Library IT service provider
Previous Positions
Vice President of Research and Development, LibLime, 2007-2009
Data Migration Analyst, Ex Libris Group, 2002-2007
Degrees and Certificates
Millersville University, BS Mathematics, 1998
Division Affiliations
LITA, ALCTS
Round Table Affiliations
Were you a Spectrum Scholar?
No
Were you an Emerging Leader?
No
ALA and/or ALA-APA Activities
Offices Held in State, Regional, and Other Library Associations
Honors and Awards
Named a Library Journal "Mover and Shaker" in 2013
Major Accomplishments
Publications
Galen Charlton: "Distributed Version Control and Library Metadata", Code4Lib Journal, Issue 3, 2008.
Links to Further Information
Number of Years as an ALA Member
14