Joan E. Gillespie has joined the R.I. Cooperating Libraries Automated Network (CLAN), as executive director. She most recently headed a similar network in Connecticut, known as LION (Librar-ies Online Inc.). Gillespie has also worked with management and consulting firms, and at Wellesley College. She has master’s degrees in library science and business administration.
PBN: What is your job as executive director?
GILLESPIE: I see my work taking on two streams. One is to oversee the day-to-day activities – interact with members, manage the business of the organization and support the CLAN staff. The second … is to identify opportunities for growth, potential economies, new partnerships and new technologies, and determine how CLAN’s members can best take advantage of such opportunities.
PBN: How are LION and CLAN similar or different?
GILLESPIE: They are both in the same business, promoting and enabling libraries to provide the best service possible to patrons. CLAN has 49 libraries with 75 locations; LION has 21 libraries with 25 locations. At CLAN, RINET provides the telecommunications network with support from the Providence Public Library; at LION, all services are managed … by LION staff.
PBN: Who provides equipment and technology funding?
GILLESPIE: Most of the funding for CLAN comes from dues the member libraries pay. However … the Champlin Foundations have provided substantial capital grants for technology and equipment.
PBN: How has CLAN brought together libraries?
GILLESPIE: Rhode Island libraries are linked through a statewide communications network, and all member libraries have high-speed Internet access through the CLAN network. They share technologies, staff expertise, operating costs, cost of the integrated library system, purchasing power, et cetera. The best aspect, in my opinion, is that sharing resources of the libraries gives every library patron access to collections of every other member library.
