Biography for Sal Addotta
Sal Addotta has worked in libraries for 50 years–yes, since before man landed on the moon! He has been a full-time and part-time librarian for the last 43 years; at public libraries in Placentia, Fullerton and Anaheim, at Fairmont Prep–a private high school in Anaheim, and at Santa Ana College, Cerritos College, and Santiago Canyon College.
He attended North Carolina State College and has an Associate in Applied Science (Electrical Technology) degree from Queensboro Community College, a Bachelor of Technology degree from City College of New York, and a Master of Library Science degree from Queens College, all of the City University of New York.
Sal is a member of Beta Phi Mu, Library Science International Honor Society, Queens College Chapter; Tau Alpha Pi, Engineering Technical National Honor Society, Queensborough Community College; and an honorary member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, Santa Ana College, Alpha Beta Chapter, the Oldest in California, having been chartered November 17, 1929.
He has taught algebra in high school, library science at San Jose State University (at the Cal State University, Fullerton satellite), library technology at Santa Ana College; and currently is a Reference Librarian and continues teaching bibliographic instruction workshops at Santa Ana College. He also is a part-time librarian at the Anaheim Public Library, Local History.
Sal has been a chapter advisor to Phi Theta Kappa at Santa Ana College since 1997, mostly as co-advisor until 2007, assuming the contact advisor role at that time. His chapter has achieved Five Star Chapter status for five consecutive years. He assumed the additional role of co-alumni advisor for the Nevada/California Region in March 2009. He also impersonates Santa Claus for the EOPS program each December.
He is a Certified Instructor of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society’s Leadership Development Studies curriculum and a Faculty Scholar for January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2019. He co-presented an Educational Forum on “Honors in Action: Academic Research” at Catalyst 2018 and 2019.
Sal recently received a Horizon Award in recognition of contributions to regional and international programming related to his unrelenting promotion of Phi Theta Kappa’s Five Star Competitive Edge professional development course designed to practice and strengthen one’s soft skills. He is a Five Star Competitive Edge Member and has completed the Five Star Advisor Plan. Sal recently completed all four of the PTK-EDGE family of courses, including the new Competitive Edge.
He was born and raised in New York City and has been married to the love of his life, Terry, for 51 years. They have two daughters and five grandchildren.