Your name, pronouns, current or most recent work place and position (for students, please tell us what school you’re attending and if you have chosen a specialization):
My name is Eileen Kuan Veng Bosch, and my pronouns are she/her/hers. I serve as the Associate Dean at Bowling Green State University Libraries, where I have the privilege of leading initiatives that make our library a welcoming and collaborative space for all users.
How long have you been an APALA member? What drew you to join? (If you are currently volunteering on an APALA committee or are an EB officer, please include that here!)
My journey with APALA began in 2005, when I was selected as a Spectrum Scholar – an honor that included membership in all the NALCos and opened doors to meaningful professional connections. What started as an opportunity quickly became a pathway. Over the past two decades, I’ve had the privilege of serving APALA in various capacities, including Member-at-Large on the Executive Board, VP/President-Elect in 2014, and President in 2015. Now, as I return to APALA as President in 2025, I’m energized to continue advancing our mission and strengthening our community. APALA isn’t just a professional association to me – it’s a network of colleagues who have become collaborators, mentors, and lifetime friends in our shared work of creating more inclusive library spaces.
We’re very interested in the diversity of ethnic/cultural heritage within APALA. Please share your ethnic/cultural heritage with us and any other background information, as desired.
My cultural identity is a beautiful tapestry woven from multiple worlds. Born in Lima, Peru, to a Peruvian-Chinese family, I grew up in the vibrant city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. I often say I was raised blending Chinese and Peruvian traditions to the rhythm of Brazilian carnival! My grandmother was my cultural anchor – traveling from Lima to spend half of each year with us, filling our home with the aromas of chifa (Peruvian-Chinese cuisine) that I’d eagerly mix with Brazilian staples like feijoada, farofa, and pão de queijo. Growing up immersed in multiple languages, flavors, and traditions taught me early on that identity is fluid, rich, and multifaceted. I immigrated to the United States as an adult, accompanied by my husband and oldest son. Our youngest was born later in the U.S. I am fluent in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, with conversational Italian. This multicultural upbringing isn’t just my background – it’s the lens through which I approach everything I do, always seeking to honor and celebrate the complexity of diverse experiences.
What aspects of library work do you find most compelling? Please share some of your professional goals and interests.
Being an academic librarian, and specifically a WOC in library leadership, is more than my profession; it’s my calling. My own experience as an international graduate student showed me firsthand how libraries can be either barriers or bridges to information and education. That’s why I’m passionate about developing programs and services that support people who have been historically marginalized: BIPOC, first-generation college students, transfer students, adult learners, and international students navigating unfamiliar systems. Libraries are dynamic centers for learning and connection. They’re places where users not only access books but also find inspiration to explore new ideas and develop new skills. Beyond resources like databases and the Internet, libraries open doors to new careers, human connections, self-discovery, and personal growth. As a library leader, I take on the responsibility of my role by breaking down barriers and ensuring that our libraries truly represent and serve the diverse needs of our communities. My vision is simple but ambitious: every person who enters a library should feel seen, empowered, and supported in their lifelong learning.
If you’ve got a big move, publication, webinar, conference presentation, or social media presence that you’d like APALA members to know about, let us know here!
Check my faculty profile at https://profiles.bgsu.edu/en/persons/eileen-k-bosch
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
I love how APALA embraces the diversity of its members and allows opportunities for leadership growth in a positive, shared and collaborative manner. APALA is life!