Introduction

Hello everyone please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Leslie James and I work at the Gainesville branch of the Hall County Library System.

I am excited to be one of two graduate students chosen to work with the GPLS Strategic Planning team. The University of Alabama has an online MLIS program that enables me to take graduate level courses from the comforts of home. Without this technology I would not be able to obtain my MLIS. My plan is to finish all classes and graduate by the end of summer 2008.

Currently I am writing an environmental scan for the planning team which is progressing nicely. This is a new adventure that is both challenging and exciting. Challenging because I have never worked on a project of this magnitude and exciting because I have the opportunity to not only be a member of the planning team but also to learn new skills that will benefit me in my chosen profession. Admittedly I do not know much about planning for the future of libraries but I am well acquainted with planning in general. I am married, 16 years, with three children ages 9, 13 and 15 each attending a different school. As mentioned earlier I work full time for HCLS. As part of my job, I maintain the Foundation Center materials and workshops. I also select all adult fiction, large print, CD audios, audiobooks, DVD's and Spanish language materials. Somehow in the midst of all these activities I have managed to keep my sanity and thrive.

What else can I say? I am very excited to be working with Lyn and GPLS and grateful for the opportunity.

Leslie James