Celebrating with Rising Star Norah Xiao

SoCal Chapter President, Teresa Bailey and SoCal member/Chair of the Biomedical & Life Sciences Division, Jean Crampon celebrated with SoCal member and Rising Star recipient, Norah Xiao at the Centennial Awards and Leadership Reception held at the Library of Congress.

(L-R) Norah with Jean Crampon

The event was spectacular!

At the reception Norah said she became a Rising Star because of her amazing SLA mentors. When Norah was asked to tell more about her SLA mentors she said the following:

“As a new professional, I am extremely fortunate to work with excellent librarians closely, who love the profession, and contribute to the profession wholeheartedly. There are many of them I have been learning from, and to name a few, Sara Tompson, Jean Crampon and Dana Roth.

(L-R) Norah with Teresa Bailey and Jean Crampon

Norah with Dana Roth

I have been working with Sara and Jean since May 2007, when we three were in the Science & Engineering Library at USC. Sara was my director supervisor at that time, she always encouraged me to experience every field in librarianship and helped me balance my professional growth. Jean, on the other hand, helped me transition my book knowledge to practical knowledge and experience, and inspired confidence in me. I knew Dana's name from the ACS-CINF discussion list when I attended library school in Canada. He is my (and everyone's) encyclopedia to any question, and more importantly, he tirelessly contributes to our profession with his knowledge in many ways, and shares his experience with everyone without reservation. I always look up to Dana, and it is my great honor to be his colleague in the chemistry information field.

I regard them as my SLA mentors, and they truly are. They inspire me to be a good librarian and more importantly be part of our professional association. Thank you!”

Our SoCal chapter is so fortunate to have Norah and so many incredible new, as well as seasoned, information professionals – news is forthcoming about another award presented at the Centennial conference, the Innovations in Technology Award presented to the Boeing Services team – info coming soon.