ALAWON: American Library Association Washington Office Newsline Volume 8, Number 92 September 17, 1999 In this issue: ALA Announces New Head of D.C. Office Note: The following is a September 17 press release from ALA's Public Information Office. For more information, contact Joyce Kelly/Linda Wallace at 312-280-5043/5042 or e-mail: pio@ala.org . Emily Sheketoff, a former deputy assistant secretary of labor for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, has been named associate executive director for the American Library Association's (ALA) Washington Office. The appointment was announced Friday, September 17, by ALA Executive Director William R. Gordon. She will begin work in mid-October. "Ms. Sheketoff shares the values and concerns that are important to this profession," Gordon said. "Her extensive experience working in government and the media will be an asset to our association." Sheketoff presently advises the assistant secretary of labor for policy. In that position, she coordinated a new budget process, including the design of proposals, negotiating components and developing strategies to win acceptance. As a deputy assistant secretary for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration from 1994 to 1998, her responsibilities included representing the assistant secretary in planning and other meetings, working with congressional staff on legislation, developing the budget and working with the press. Nancy Kranich, president-elect of ALA, said, "I am very enthusiastic about working with Ms. Sheketoff. She brings knowledge and understanding of the political process, building coalitions and shaping public opinion that will strengthen support for libraries in Washington and beyond." Patricia H. Smith, executive director of the Texas Library Association and a member of the search committee, said the committee members were impressed by Ms. Sheketoff's "passion for our issues and what we're fighting for. She thinks strategically and understands the power of mobilizing public opinion." Sheketoff's previous positions include director of interagency affairs and White House Liaison for the Office of Personnel Management, deputy director for the Office of Priority Placement, Office of Presidential Personnel in the Clinton Administration, and special assistant to the director of the White House Office of Administration in the Carter Administration. She also worked in both the House and Senate and has held other positions in the federal government. Sheketoff served as Washington bureau producer for the Monitor Channel (1991-92) and producer for World Monitor (1990-91) of the Christian Science Monitor and as a producer for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation in the CBC's Washington Bureau, 1982- 1988. She holds a bachelor's degree in American studies from George Washington University. Sheketoff succeeds Carol C. Henderson, who retired August 13. Henderson had been with the Washington Office since 1975 and served as executive director since 1994. ****** ALAWON (ISSN 1069-7799) is a free, irregular publication of the American Library Association Washington Office. All materials subject to copyright by the American Library Association may be reprinted or redistributed for noncommercial purposes with appropriate credits. To subscribe to ALAWON, send the message: subscribe ala-wo [your_firstname] [your_lastname] to listproc@ala.org or go to http://www.ala.org/washoff/alawon. To unsubscribe to ALAWON, send the message: unsubscribe ala-wo to listproc@ala.org or go to http://www.ala.org/washoff/alawon. ALAWON archives at http://www.ala.org/washoff/alawon. ALA Washington Office, 1301 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Suite 403, Washington, D.C. 20004-1701; phone: 202.628.8410 or 800.941.8478 toll-free; fax: 202.628.8419; e-mail: alawash@alawash.org; Web site: http://www.ala.org/washoff. Editor: Lynne E. Bradley; Managing Editor: Deirdre Herman; Contributors: Sally Benson, Mary Costabile, Peter Kaplan, Carrie Russell, Saundra Shirley, Claudette Tennant and Rick Weingarten.