Beta Phi Mu, Xi Chapter Executive Board
President Suzanne Uratani
Suzanne Uratani graduated from the University of Hawai'i with an MLISc in December 2004. Since her undergraduate degree is a BFA in Visual Design, she is as interested in book jacket design and typography as what is between the covers. Suzanne wasn't a latchkey child, but rather - a LIBRARY kid. She spent many happy hours in the Edna Allyn Room of the main public library in Honolulu. Suzanne is happiest helping people find the answers they need whether they're looking for a book, information or trying to get a security clearance.
Vice-President Gayle Hirohata-Goto
Gayle Hirohata-Goto is a Young Adult Librarian at the Waikiki-Kapahulu Public Library. She received her MLISc from the University of Hawai'i in 2004, and her undergraduate degree in Asian Studies in 1999. Aside from being an avid fan of the Harry Potter series and translated works of Haruki Murakami, Gayle also likes to watch foreign films and PBS specials.
Secretary Rieko Goo
Rieko Goo graduated from the University of Hawai'i with an MLISc in 2006 and has worked at Mililani High School since 1993, first as a Language Arts teacher, and most recently, as one of the school's two librarians. When she's not teaching students of the 21st Century how to best search for their information needs, she enjoys crafting, baking, and instilling the love of reading in her two daughters, Quinn and Leela.
Treasurer Ralph Toyama
Ralph Toyama unwittingly began a career in libraries by shelving books in a public library while a college student. Despite that experience, he went on to work as a library assistant in circulation before going to library school. An electronics hobbyist who enjoys taking the covers off things to see how they work, Ralph found that he had an aptitude for library technology. He graduated from UH-SLIS in 1992, and in 1993, became the systems librarian at Leeward Community College. He took on the additional role of LCC's circulation librarian in 2002, and was appointed head librarian in 2006. Ralph is a member of ALA, and is active with the Hawaii Library Association. More information about Ralph can be found on his website.
Events Chair Jan Kamiya
Jan Tamiko Kamiya is currently the Young Adult Librarian at the Manoa Public Library. She began her library career as a Library Assistant III at the Hawaii State Library after receiving her B.A. in English and a minor in Music from the University of Hawai'i at Manoa. Her favorite LIS classes were Intellectual Freedom and the History of the Book (Another Hysterical Librarian for Freedom!). When not in librarian mode, Jan is a mezzo-soprano for the Hawaii Opera Theatre Chorus.
Webmaster Carole Suzui
Carole Sumiko Suzui is a librarian in the Federal Documents Section of the Hawaii State Library. One of her responsibilities was the redesigning of the Federal Documents Section web site. She entered library school after a 20-year career as a mainframe computer programmer on the mainland. She earned her MLISc degree from the University of Hawai'i at Manoa in December 2004. She enjoys ringing English handbells with her church bell choir and running in local races.
Faculty Advisor Andrew B. Wertheimer, PhD
Dr. Andrew B. Wertheimer joined the University of Hawai'i LIS Program faculty in 2003. He was an adjunct professor at San Jose State University SLIS and a librarian and archivist at the Universities of Wisconsin and Nebraska, spertus Institute for Jewish studies, and Lincoln Public Libraries. He was inducted into Beta Phi Mu by the University of Wisconsin's Beta Beta Epsilon chapter after completing his PhD there. He is pleased to be Xi Chapter's faculty advisor. Dr. Wertheimer is the recipient of the 2007 Vann Award. He became chair of the LIS Program at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa in August 2007.