As the Library & Information Services Institutional Development Specialist on the Technical Assistance to Regional Study and Resource Centers Program in Namibia [6], Jym is responsible for overseeing overall implementation of the award as well as training and library development activities.
Prior to joining IREX, Jym served as the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Grant Coordinator/Administrator for the Minnesota Department of Education, State Library Services Division, where he was responsible for the annual planning, implementation, project administration and review of the federal LSTA grant program. Previously, Jym administered two regional public library systems in Wisconsin and Minnesota with responsibility for long range planning, program development and continuing education programs for regional public library staff. While Director of Southwest Wisconsin Library System, he facilitated and implemented the process for the first region-wide Online Public Access Catalog. In Minnesota he worked closely with the Minnesota Voluntary Certification Program to meet the ongoing educational needs of library staff to better meet their customer’s needs. The Minnesota program was a model for creation of the American Library Association’s national certification program.
Jym has an art degree in fiber arts with emphasis on weaving, silk screening, and batik. He has worked as both a sous-chef and pastry chef in restaurants in Wisconsin. He ran a catering service for ten years.