As an active member of LIRT for nearly 10 years, Dr. Marilyn Whitmore has recently taken her library instruction experience in an atypical direction and now works to disseminate practical information among instruction librarians. She has accomplished this by starting her own publishing business, appropriately named Library Instruction Publications.

Prior to her entrepreneurial undertaking in 1996, all of her professional experience was as an academic librarian. During her thirty-four year tenure at the University of Pittsburgh, Marilyn wore many different professional hats. Starting out as a cataloger, she sought new challenges by moving around within the institution. These moves included becoming the Head of Cataloging and the Head of the Gift and Exchange Department; serving as a subject bibliographer; becoming the University Archivist and Head of Archives; and serving as the Supervisor of the Microforms Collection. She spent her last 10 years in the academic setting as the Coordinator of Library Instruction for the University Library System.

Marilyn has been a member of ALA since 1964 and has been active in numerous committee assignments. She served as the chair of the LIRT Research Committee (1988-1990) while it was conducting a national survey on user education aims. She next served as the LIRT Treasurer (1991-1993). She has served on several committees within the Seminar on the Acquisition of Latin American Library Materials, an interest that developed during her days in the Gift and Exchange Department. As a successful academic librarian, Marilyn served on an impressive list of institutional committees, including the Oakland Library Consortium Standing Committee on User Services (as the University of Pittsburgh representative) and the University Senate Education Policies Committee.

Marilyn's interest in library instruction became more defined and focused during her pursuit of her doctoral degree. Her dissertation examined the impact of instruction on a student's attitude toward using microform materials. A few years later, the Director of Libraries at the University of Pittsburgh asked her to develop a library user instruction program. In doing this, Marilyn found her true niche in the profession. She has stated that she believes that "Americans must become information-literate, information seekers. [Librarians] must continue to unmask the information seeking process, to unmask technology, and to demonstrate that information is not only necessary but can be fun to pursue." By her own admission, she sees this task as being exciting and challenging.

In her role as a publisher, Marilyn has realized a long-term ongoing interest in participating in the business world and is working "to provide a vehicle for librarians who wish to speak out and share with colleagues." She plans for her books to feature practical exercises on different aspects of seeking information and using the library. These exercises are contributed by librarians based on a wide range of settings and experiences. Her forthcoming second book will concentrate on teaching Internet skills and resources in the library setting.

On the personal side, Marilyn has lived and traveled extensively in Latin American countries with her husband. While he is involved in business activities, she hauls professional journals in her luggage and brushes up on her Spanish by helping out the local libraries as a free consultant. At home in Pittsburgh, she is an herb gardener and "dabbles" in watercolor painting. From the business insights she can bring to the positive communication she can facilitate, Marilyn is a valuable and welcome member of LIRT.