I’m hoping to be elected to the CLA Board because I, along with every librarian and library in California, have benefitted from CLA’s leadership and advocacy for decades, and it’s time to return the favor.  Strong libraries are essential to strong communities, and strong libraries need a state association that is nimble, responsive, efficient, and resourceful.  I’m excited about the changes I’ve seen over my three decades of experience working in public libraries and I’m eager to put my knowledge, enthusiasm and energy to work for CLA and for every kind of California library.

Questionaire

1. How do you define leadership? 
   Leadership is the ability and desire to move the library forward by providing an environment for staff that encourages creativity, risk-taking, and joy.
2. Why are you interested in this position? 
   It will be fascinating and rewarding to observe and participate in the inner workings of CLA, and to effect positive change on CLA and on CA libraries and communities from within the organization.  Plus, I’m eager to expand my network and to learn about the needs of different kinds of CA libraries, librarians, and communities.
3.  How would you describe your personal leadership/communication style? 
   My biggest strength is my amazing team, and my role is to guide, support, empower and inspire the people who work with me.  My style is informal and I prefer to meet problems head-on and with a sense of humor.
4.  What strengths would you bring to the position?
   Flexibility, an open mind, a willingness to take risks, 30 years of public library experience, and plenty of energy.
5. What experience do you bring to this position? 
   I’ve held just about every kind of job at LAPL, but particularly relevant to this position was my stint as Coordinator of Children’s Services and my current position as Director of the Engagement and Learning Division.  Both positions require outrageous project management skills, as well as the ability to inspire and motivate staff, none of whom I supervise, in 73 library locations.  I’ve spearheaded many major initiatives at LAPL, most recently a partnership with LAUSD that has put library cards in the hands of more than 540,000 students (and counting).
6. What issues or trends are particularly informing your work at this time? 
   There are so many!  To name a few – how to best serve the homeless; engaging the community with storytelling, citizen science, and other collaborative, creative activities; diving deeply into school/library partnerships; contemplating fine-free cards and in general how to remove barriers to service.
7. Who are the thought leaders (in libraries or in other fields) who interest you?
   Eric Liu, executive director of the Aspen Institute’s Citizenship and American Identity Program, offers thought-provoking ideas on the role libraries can and should play in fostering political power among our patrons and our communities.  And I am constantly inspired by colleagues in libraries all over the world.
8. Who are the regional and statewide stakeholders libraries need to be in communication with? 
   Elected officials at all levels, Chambers of Commerce, advocacy groups aligned with the populations we serve (from immigrant rights organizations to early childhood organizations), educational institutions, and so many more. 
9. What do you feel are the most critical challenges and opportunities facing California libraries right now?  
   The funding for our K – 12 students, as well as our infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, is abominably low, and our school librarians are woefully unsupported.  As we explore new ways of working more closely with our schools to bolster student success, we should also be advocating for strengthening school libraries.  Also, the challenges facing our immigrant communities, whether here legally or not, are mind-boggling.  Libraries, as trusted and non-partisan institutions, are in a unique position to serve immigrants in many different and creative ways.
10. Describe your experience serving on Association committees and/or interest groups.
    I have served on the Beatty Committee as Chair and on the California Young Reader Medal Award Committee; in addition, I serve currently on a couple of CLA task forces focusing on Summer @ Your Library and Lunch at the Library and have served as a mentor library for both the Lunch at the Library program and the PLP Student Success initiative.
11. Describe your network of connections with library professionals and library stakeholders in California. 
    Having attended library school at UCLA GSEIS, worked in California for over 30 years, attended the CLA Annual Conference almost every year, taught courses as an adjunct instructor at UCLA GSEIS, and served on both statewide and national library committees over many years, I’ve gotten to know many colleagues and stakeholders throughout the state.  Most of my career was spent in youth services; however, I’m working to expand my network beyond that realm.