Interview by Jason Young, MIDLINE editor
Genesis Medical Center, Davenport, IA
Ruth Holst grew up on a dairy farm in Wisconsin and obtained her bachelor's degree in education and her master's degree in library science both from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. During her 32-year tenure at Columbia Hospital in Milwaukee, she supplemented her positions in the Medical Library with part-time assignments as the women's health core service director and the manager of coordinated care. Holst has been an active member of the Medical Library Association since 1974, attending 34 annual meetings, serving on more than a dozen committees and task forces, and being the first hospital librarian to give the Janet Doe Lecture in 1990. Her book, the Medical Library Association Guide to Managing Health Care Libraries, has sold more than 1,600 copies since its publication in 2000. Ruth lives with her husband, Bob Thiel, in Highland Park, IL, and visits her daughter, Alexandra Thiel, in North Carolina as often as she can. She enjoys reading, singing, and cooking in her leisure time and acknowledges that she spends way too much time watching movies and television dramas, especially mysteries, anything by Jane Austen and other movies with witty dialogue.
Congratulations on being elected as the incoming MLA president. What are the responsibilities of the president-elect of MLA?
Much of the year will involve getting re-acclimated to the priorities and initiatives of MLA. The big thing I get to do is appoint the committees.
Can you give us a hint to what your MLA presidential priorities will be?
I want to continue to advocate for the role of librarians as information experts. I will be looking at what we can do to build on the Vital Pathways project and how we can encourage more research to document the value of what we do.
What are your current responsibilities as associate director of the NN/LM Greater Midwest Region (GMR)?
As the associate director, I oversee the operation of the GMR office, making sure we are carrying out the objectives and activities outlined in our five-year contract with NLM. I have a terrific staff of professionals to help me, and they spend a lot of time traveling to states in the Midwest Chapter.
You've already accomplished a lot in your career and continue to do so. What advice do you have for the new librarians aspiring to leadership roles?
My advice is to make the most of whatever job you are in now. Look for opportunities to get out of the library and build relationships with your constituents. That's really the best way to find out what they need and then design services to meet those specific needs. I also recommend getting involved in professional associations such as MLA. It's a great way to find out what your strengths are.
In your opinion, what's the biggest challenge facing health sciences libraries today?
We need to articulate who we are and why we are so important to the delivery of health care and the education of health professionals. We know intuitively that we make a difference, but we need more research to prove that our services improve outcomes.
What is your greatest professional accomplishment?
I don't know if I can point to any one thing. Being selected as the first hospital librarian to give the Janet Doe Lecture at MLA was a big honor.
What is your greatest personal accomplishment?
Learning how to see the forest for the trees. I still get too bogged down in details, but at least I now tell myself to step back and try to see the bigger picture.
Will the physical library still exist in 50 years?
Yes, I think it will, especially in universities.
What was your first job in a library?
I helped out in my high school library and worked in the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee library as an undergraduate.
Who are your heroes?
Hillary Clinton, Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Maureen Dowd
What books are you currently reading?
A murder mystery by Donna Leon and Cheating Death by Sanjay Gupta
If you weren't a librarian, what else can you imagine yourself doing?
In my imagination, I'm a cabaret singer. In reality, I think I have the skills and aptitudes to be an accountant or a lawyer.