Ethel M. Salonen

Fellows biography for Ethel Salonen, Fellow, 2001

I have been a member of the SLA since 1978 and began active involvement with the Boston Chapter soon after I moved to Massachusetts in 1980. It was difficult breaking into this new group of professionals and I was somewhat shy at my first Chapter meeting. I did notice that the people accepting registration and handing out badges knew everyone so I asked to join the committee. That was my first experience with a wonderful group of colleagues that has led me to become President of the Boston Chapter, Chair and member of many Chapter, Division and Association-wide committees, and a Director on the Board of Directors.

My professional life has encompassed three careers. As an information professional, I first began working as a librarian and then as a library manager. I began a new career in sales with some of the major online and internet information delivery vendors, and most recently have combined these skills working in the knowledge management arena.