Meredith Fletcher, Midwest Representative

Licking County Library, Newark, Ohio


Professional Background

Meredith Fletcher fell in love with libraries when she accepted her first school outreach role. Her experience in outreach fueled her passion for advocacy, amplifying unheard voices, and collaboration. She later accepted the role of Communications Assistant in a small library, curating eContent, readers' advisory resources, supporting levy campaigns, and engaging both staff and patrons in a tight-knit community. Since then, she has enjoyed leading teams in various leadership roles. She has a knack for identifying and addressing gaps in service, seeing how the big picture connects to daily details, and getting people excited about the library.Headshot of Meredith Fletcher.
 
As Circulation Supervisor, Meredith has the privilege of helping librarians new to the field find their passion for libraries. This front-line role helps inform her ability to see firsthand the needs of those we serve and align department and organizational goals with those of our communities.
 
Meredith is currently pursuing a Communications degree with The Ohio State University. In addition to this degree, she has had the privilege of attending the first ARSL Leadership Cohort and Library Leadership Ohio 2024. For five years, she served the Ohio Library Council's Customer Service and Support Staff Division, beginning in the role of Secretary and later serving as Coordinator.
 
In 2019, Meredith earned the Great Educator Mentor (GEM) Award for WPL from the Westerville Parent Council and Westerville City Schools for her work in outreach and the Brookeville Summer Program. Brookeville brought high-quality, thoughtful programming to an underserved part of the community, engaged local teachers, and continues to thrive.
 
What inspired you to get involved with the ARSL board?
My deep respect for ARSL as an organization and their dedication to community inspired me to serve. Libraries, now more than ever, need fierce advocates and ARSL’s integrity and dedication to professional development creates real impact. ARSL has been a huge inspiration during the course of my library career, literally helping launch my advocacy journey, and it has always been a dream to serve my community in this capacity.
 
"I see ARSL as a leading professional library organization which has the agility and understanding of how to partner for impact and sees opportunity everywhere."
Why is ARSL's mission important to you?
ARSL’s responsiveness to diverse and disparate communities, accessible well-curated resources, and their knack for building community is inspiring. This is an organization who truly lives and breathes their mission, vision, and values, inspiring others through building genuine connections and always advocating for the needs of those we serve. Rural and small libraries need a national voice and ARSL shows up for librarians everywhere.
 
What are your favorite library programs and personal interests?
I love to listen to music, take care of my kitties, and cook for others. I have been working on my edible garden and am grateful to have a space where I can do that work. When it comes to reading, I love nonfiction!

 

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