The Maryland Library Association (MLA) recently elected a new Vice President/President Elect for the 2018/2019 year. Andrea Berstler, Executive Director and CEO of Wicomico Public Libraries, was recently elected to the position by MLA membership.
Berstler, who has more than 19 years of library experience, oversaw the Hankin Branch of the Chester County Library prior to taking over in Wicomico. She is also a former director of the Village Library in Morgantown, PA.
“Professional organizations play an important role in setting and maintaining professional standards for an industry,” Berstler said. “MLA serves its members by providing training, advocacy and leadership. It acts as a conduit for best practices, innovative services and key information about our profession and our state.”
As an active member of MLA, Berstler served as the 2015 and 2016 state conference chairperson. She has also been on several committees with the American Library Association including the Rural, Native and Tribal Libraries Roundtable.
For six years, Berstler was on the board of the Association for Rural and Small Libraries, where she served as secretary, treasurer and president, as well as two terms as the national conference chair.
She is a contributing author for the book, “The Entrepreneurial Librarian: Essays on the Infusion of Private-business Dynamism into Professional Service.” She also authored an article in Reference & User Services Quarterly, “Should Libraries be Run Like Businesses?”
Berstler holds two Master of Library Science degrees from Kutztown University in 2008, and the University of Maryland in 2014. She earned a BS in Biblical Studies from Lancaster Bible College and a Pennsylvania State teaching certificate from Millersville University. A recognized community leader, she is a former Rotary President and Rotarian of the Year. Berstler is the current chair of the Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce Education Committee and a member of the 2018 class of Leadership Maryland.
The Maryland Library Association is a membership organization, providing library leadership through professional development and advocating for the Maryland library community to strengthening libraries and the people they employ. For membership and other organization information go to www.mdlib.org.
