Librarian
I've worked in a variety of jobs in a variety of contexts, serving children and teens, and the adults who love them, in urban, suburban, and rural areas; in homogeneous and diverse communities; in small towns and big cities. I've overseen large budgets, administering million-dollar grants and performing system-wide materials selection, and I've delivered excellent service on a shoestring. I've managed a staff of over thirty people, and worked on my own. And no matter the situation, I have tailored my efforts to the information and reading needs of the young people in my service.
Whatcom County Library System
Bellingham, WA
Youth Services Manager, 2015-present
Dominican University
River Forest, IL
Curator, Butler Children's Literature Center
Lecturer, Graduate School of Library and Information Science
2009-2015
Austin Public Library
Austin, TX
Youth Services Manager, 2006-2009
Spokane County Library District
Spokane, WA
Youth Services Coordinator, 2002-2006
Youth Services Supervisor, 1995-2002
Reader
I'm an avid reader of books for children and teens. I believe deeply in the power of story to help us make sense of the increasingly complex world we inhabit together, and hold a special affinity for books that challenge us to see one another as more the same than different.
Writer
I write frequently on books, reading, and literary culture.
Horn Book Magazine. July, 2015
From Series to Serious
Horn Book Magazine. May, 2015
Horn Book Magazine, November, 2014
Horn Book Magazine, March, 2014
Horn Book Magazine, September, 2013
Horn Book Magazine, with Viki Ash, March, 2011
Hundreds of book and audiobook reviews
Booklist Magazine and Horn Book Magazine, 2006-present
Leader
American Library Association
ALA Council
Councilor-at-Large, 2013-2016
ALA Council Orientation Committee, 2014-2016
American Library Association
Association for Library Service to Children
Chair, Newbery Committee, 2015-2017
Chair, Managing Children's Services Committee, 2014-2015
Chair, Nominating Committee, 2012-2013
Immediate-Past-President, 2011-2012
President, 2010-2011
Vice-President/President-Elect, 2010
Board Director, 2007-2010
Member, Membership Committee, 2005-2007
Member, Newbery Committee, 2003-2005
Chair, Notable Recordings for Children, 2003-2004
Member, Notable Recordings for Children, 2001-2003
American Library Association
Young Adult Library Services Association
Member. Research Committee, 2017-2018
Member, Presidential Task Force, 2011-2012
Member, Youth Participation Committee, 2003-2004
Speaker
I speak regularly around the country, doing presentations and training on topics including book evaluation & selection; book talking; diversity; library programming & service; and mission integration.
Association for Library Service to Children
Bill Morris Seminar
"Getting the Most out of Book Discussion" 2016
Picture Book Reflections
Washington State Early Learning Public Library Partnership Symposium, 2015
Texas Library Association
TLA Preconference
Facilitator, Mock CaldeNott, 2015
Texas Library Association
TLA Conference
Moderator, Youth Literature Diversity Summit, 2015
Texas Library Association
TLA Conference
Trainer, Texas State Book Award Committees, 2015
Northern Illinois University
Featured Booktalker, Children's Literature Conference, 2015, 2014, 2012, 2011
San Antonio Public Library
"The ABCs of Annotations, Booklists, and Collections" 2014
Spokane County Library District
"Chairing the Boston Globe Horn Book Award Jury" 2013
Association for Library Service to Children
Caldecott Preconference
"Using Caldecott Books with Older Readers" 2013
Reaching Forward Illinois
"Collection Development for School and Public Libraries" 2013
Carthage College
Featured Speaker, Caldecott Celebration, 2012
Missouri State Library
Statewide Summer Reading Training, 2012
Suffolk Cooperative Library System
"Nonfiction: It's Not Just for Homework Anymore" 2011
Suffolk Cooperative Library System
"Collection Development Plans: Helping Children Help Themselves" 2011
Library Administrators Conference of Northern Illinois
"The Best Books for Tweens of Every Age” 2011
Illinois School Library Media Association
"Looking at Picture Books" 2010
Association for Library Service to Children
ALSC Institute
Collection Development Panel, 2010
Learner
MLS, University of Pittsburgh, PA, 1995
Specialty in Library Service to Young People.
Elva S. Smith Scholarship, awarded to outstanding applicant with a focus on youth services.
Class Marshall, awarded to graduate with highest GPA.
BA, Grinnell College, IA, 1987
Major in Art
Associated Colleges of the Midwest Semester in Florence, Italy
Traveler
I love to travel. It's a great way to understand other cultures. It's an even better way to understand yourself.
© 2016