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New Addition Positions Smith System for Expansion of Library Furniture Offerings

Library industry thought leader Margaret “Peg” Sullivan joins Smith System to develop furniture for the 21st Century library

PLANO, TEXAS – (March 22, 2010) – With the addition of industry thought leader Margaret “Peg” Sullivan as library marketing and sales manager, Smith System positions itself for expansion of its school furniture offerings to the academic library marketplace. Boasting nearly three decades of design implementation experience and active involvement in library discussions, Sullivan will be the driving force behind the company’s expanded library furniture offerings.

An industry voice for 21st Century libraries, Sullivan will work with Smith System designers to translate student, librarian and administrator needs for flexibility, comfort, mobility and technology integration into a comprehensive library furniture line. Sullivan will also tap her insight into librarian’s needs, standards and expectations to help architects understand the functional demands of libraries and develop furniture plans that meet requirements of individual facilities.

“Margaret sees the big picture and understands the perspectives of librarians, architects and administrators,” says Bill Risdall, vice president of marketing for Smith System. “This gives her the unique ability to create library environments that exceed expectations and inspire student success.”

Through this new furniture endeavor, Smith System will shape library environments according to newer education models, such as collaborative or inquiry-based learning, depending on the school’s individual needs.

“The way students learn has changed drastically over the years, and continuing to follow the industrial model of education hinders student performance,” says Sullivan. “Combining Smith System’s vast school furniture experience and my knowledge of current library requirements, we’ll provide students with furniture that enables them to thrive in today’s library environments.”

Sullivan has been actively involved in the library industry for years, and is chair of the ALA/ProQuest Scholarship Bash and is on the implementation task force for AASL’s 21st Century Learning Standards. She is also a member of the American Library Association and the American Association of School Librarians, and is actively involved with the Texas Library Association and the Public Library Association. She regularly speaks at conferences and contributes her expertise to industry publications.

Prior to joining Smith System, Sullivan spent 28 years at Highsmith, most recently as director of merchandising and marketing for the company. In positions of increasing importance at Highsmith, Sullivan was responsible for the creative design services for libraries, and supervised product development, product management, catalog and Web merchandising, and strategic market planning. Under her direction, Highsmith established relationships with more than 700 suppliers and manufacturers representing every product category used in schools. Sullivan holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin – Madison in communication arts.

About Smith System
Founded in 1905, Smith System (www.smithsystem.com) has helped American education evolve by being ready with the right furniture at the right time. An industry leader in school furniture innovation, Smith System is committed to developing products that support the optimum learning environments -- addressing the needs of the student, the demands of the curriculum and the realities of space, maintenance and budget.

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Media Contact:
Bill Risdall
Smith System
972.398.4050
billr@smithsystem.com

Media Contact:
Laura Griffith
Risdall Public Relations
651.286.6775
lgriffith@risdall.com