Atla Board of Directors Members Elected for 2021-2024

Chicago, IL, February 23, 2021 – Armin Siedlecki, Matthew Thiesen, Kris Veldheer, and Yasmine Abou-El-Kheir have been elected to serve on the Atla Board of Directors. Atla members elected the four candidates to serve a three-year term from 2021 to 2024, subject to the membership’s confirmation of the Board Secretary’s report at Atla Annual 2021. Approximately 45.1 % of eligible members voted.

Armin Siedlecki

Armin Siedlecki is the Head of Cataloging and Rare Book Cataloger for Pitts Theology Library at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. An incumbent, he has served on the Atla Board of Directors since 2018. Previously, he served as chair of the Technical Services Interest Group and Special Collections Interest Group and served as the liaison for the ALA Committee on Cataloging: Description and Access.

In his election statement, Armin shared about how his work experience impacts how he serves the Board. “In addition, I believe that I bring to the Board a cataloger’s eye for detail and my ability to synthesize and communicate information succinctly and effectively. In my participation in Board meetings, I am not likely to dominate a discussion and typically do more listening than talking. My goal is to say what should be said, to listen, and to strive for a working consensus.”

Matthew Thiesen

Matthew Thiesen is the Director of Library and Information Services at Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon. An incumbent, he has served on the Atla Board of Directors since 2018. Previously, he served on the Conference Committee and participated in the Creating the Leaders of Tomorrow and Wabash Colloquy on the Role of Theological School Librarians programs.

Matthew shared how Atla has impacted his career, “Atla has been greatly instrumental in the development of my own career and I am proud to have the opportunity to give back to Atla as a Board Director these past three years. Atla is an amazing organization that has benefited many, both librarians and scholars. It is encouraging to look back and see all that Atla has accomplished, and exciting to look forward to the potential future Atla is working toward.”

Kris Veldheer

Kris Veldheer is the Library Director of Paul Bechtold Library at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, Illinois. Since joining Atla in 1996, she has served in many capacities, including Chair of the Public Services Interest Group and on the Professional Development Committee and Conference Committee. She also most recently completed her role as Editor of the Atla Summary of Proceedings.

In her statement, Kris shared about the challenges Atla faces and how her experience can meet these challenges. “My strengths lie in being endlessly curious about the possibilities for improvement and collaborating, so everyone has a seat at the table, both the seasoned professional and the newly-minted librarian.” She added, “I like the challenge of looking beyond the horizon to see where we might go.”

Yasmine Abou-El-Kheir

Yasmine Abou-El-Kheir is the Director of the Lapp Learning Commons at the Chicago Theological Seminary in Chicago, Illinois. She has served as Chair of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee and has served on the Professional Development Committee and the International Theological Librarianship Education Task Force.

Yasmine’s path to theological librarianship offers a unique perspective to how she serves Atla. She shared, “I first joined Atla when I was working in a medical library but had aspirations to become a theological librarian. I found that Atla not only welcomed me into her fold but invited me to serve on the Professional Development Committee hoping that I would offer perspectives for those who are interested in joining the field. I think Atla’s commitment to help advance the work and ranks of the profession is one that needs to be continually cultivated and one that I hope to support.”

The Nominating Committee and the Board of Directors express their appreciation to all the candidates who agreed to be on the slate and for their many efforts on behalf of the Association.

About Atla

Established in 1946 as the American Theological Library Association, Atla is a membership association of librarians and information professionals, and a producer of research tools, committed to advancing the study of religion and theology. Atla’s membership includes more than 800 individuals and libraries at academic institutions from diverse religious traditions and backgrounds. As a community of collectors and connectors, Atla works to promote worldwide scholarly communication in religion and theology by advancing the work of libraries and related information providers.

Press Contact

Gillian Harrison Cain, Director of Member Programs, +1 312.454.5100 ext 4415, gcain@atla.com