I would love the opportunity to serve on the CLA Board of Directors.  I’ve worked in public libraries for 20 years in Colorado and California, and want to continue learning from amazing CA librarians.  As a member of the CLA Board of Directors, I can help our profession understand more fully the enormous power we have as librarians.  I look forward to listening and talking to CLA members around the state to learn about the issues we face and how we can make an even bigger impact in the communities we serve.  In the last couple of years, California has stepped into a national, even international, leadership role on many vital issues.  It’s time for CLA to become a similar beacon of hope, and for all of us to step into our power as librarians!   

Questionaire

1.  How do you define leadership?
   Defining leadership makes me think of the saying that you might forget what someone said or did, but you won’t forget how she made you feel.  Leadership has to do with creating positive momentum, and with carving out spaces of health and support that allow others to create and thrive. 
2. Why are you interested in this position?
   California has amazing libraries and librarians!  I want to meet more of them, figure out what challenges exist, and help in any way I can. 
3. How would you describe your personal leadership/communication style?
   I have a background in organizational development and am most comfortable as a facilitator.  I love helping emerging leaders discover and develop their strengths and supporting systems (organizations, communities) in becoming more healthy.
4.  What strengths would you bring to the position?
   I’m a keen observer, a good listener, and I ask helpful questions.
5.  What experience do you bring to this position?
   I’ve worked in public libraries for 20 years in Colorado and California, and have held a variety of leadership positions.  I feel like some of most relevant experience for this position may be the individual and group interviewing I did as a Ph.D. student studying public libraries.  I love talking to librarians, and I love talking to everyone about libraries.  These interviews taught me a lot about listening and finding connections.   
6. What issues or trends are particularly informing your work at this time?
   My Ph.D. dissertation was about public libraries and power, specifically how library leaders conceive of power and its role in their work.  This research confirmed my long-held belief that if anyone should hold power, it should be librarians.  Librarians’ understandings of power are rooted in service and social responsibility.  Given the very different understandings of power running amuck in the world today, it’s time for librarians to step into our power.  
7.  Who are the thought leaders (in libraries or in other fields) who interest you?
   Oh wow, there’s a lot.  A few specific things I’ve read recently that were helpful:  Amy Sonnie’s issue brief on Racial Equity (sorry to go all librarian on you but I have to give you the link:  https://www.racialequityalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/GARE_LibrariesReport_v8_DigitalScroll_WithHyperlinks.pdf), The New Localism, by Bruce Katz, and Little Bets, by Peter Sims.  The idea of making “little bets” is similar to the design thinking idea of “failing forward,” of learning quickly through small experiments. Libraries have so much room to experiment, and to be places of creativity and play.  Let’s do more of that!  
8.  Who are the regional and statewide stakeholders libraries need to be in communication with?
   So many collaboration opportunities exist for every library.  I love the idea of asset mapping—of each library doing a self-assessment of the assets it holds, of its unique strengths in its community.  Knowing our own assets creates more meaningful, productive conversations with stakeholders, and helps us better identify those we need to connect with to create positive change.     
9.  What do you feel are the most critical challenges and opportunities facing California libraries right now?
   Many of the challenges and opportunities facing CA libraries are the issues addressed in the June elections:  better support for those experiencing homelessness and mental illness, the need for educational reform, and vast inequities in everything from housing to the criminal justice system to educational opportunity.  Unlike some states, CA libraries are primarily funded locally.  We need to pay attention to, and stay in deep conversation with, our local communities about our shared opportunities and challenges, and then do the math about how we as libraries can help.    
10. Describe your experience serving on Association committees and/or interest groups.
    I have not previously served on any CLA committees or interest groups.
11. Describe your network of connections with library professionals and library stakeholders in California.
    I have a strong network of connections with library directors throughout CA and the US, but not with many others in California libraries.  In particular, I would like to meet more of our emerging leaders and see what issues are top of mind for them.