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profession. We need to work collaboratively with different library systems and build a stronger coalition through increased memberships and partnership opportunities. Like CLA I recognize the importance and sustainability of the library and information profession. I have helped to increase the number of MLIS/MLS hires at Placentia Library District by 300% since 2008.
I believe growth and development opportunities can be found from library pages all the way up to elected officials. One of my greatest joys is witnessing my staff’s growth as they unleash their lifelong learning excitement. I experienced this firsthand when 11 of my staff and I attended the CLA conference in Santa Clara last year. They assisted with the Start Strong symposium including one staff member serving as a panelist for one of the breakout session. Though he was nervous, I believed in his skills and potential and as a result, he is now committed to enrolling in library school.
As Library Director for the Placentia Library District, former manager at the Fullerton Public Library and supervisor at the Santa Ana Public Library, I have had over 20 years of administrative and managerial experience leading organizations that have resulted in securing over $1M in federal, state, and private funding for these libraries. Placentia Library District received the Innovative Award from the California Special District Association (CSDA) in 2019 and coverage from CBS News and the Orange County Register. In 2017, the District also received the PRExcellence award for its Reading = Happy video from CLA.
I have served on the CLA Leadership Development and Advocacy Committees and REFORMA, chaired the DEMCO scholarship for the American Library Association, and served on the CSDA Professional Development and Fiscal & Financial Committees. As a former board member of the Homeless Intervention Shelter House and Rotary Club of Placentia, I understand some of the issues facing California libraries and opportunities to work with various community partners to address these challenges. I am a proud member of ALA, CLA, PLA, CSDA, Chamber of Commerce, and the Rotary Club of Placentia.
After 27 years in the library field, I find that I am still learning and discovering many nuggets of knowledge from library staff, professionals and the community. My encouragement has resulted in many of my former and present staff to enter the library profession and I consider myself blessed as they have become my reversed mentors.
Thank you for your consideration of my candidacy and taking time out of your busy schedule to get to know me through my candidate statements.
Will you join me in making our CLA family stronger? Let’s do this.
Questionaire
1. Why are you interested in this position?
Throughout the recent years, I have been fortunate to make connections with many outstanding professionals who care deeply for our association and their respective libraries. I was in awe at their dedication and when I asked past CLA presidents how I could assist, I was amazed at their willingness to take me in and teach me. Prior to asking, I was not actively involved in CLA and I can only share with you the experience has made me a better leader, CLA family member, and person.
I want to serve CLA in the capacity that is most impactful to its members. If I am blessed to serve, I promise to listen as solutions and recommendations can only happen with the entire CLA board and YOU.
2. How would you describe your personal leadership/communication style?
Leadership embodies many traits, though one is more prominent than others. Heart. We are in the service business and leading by heart is the epitome of a successful leader. Leadership requires courage to speak about what matters, though on occasions it may not be what others want to hear. This is true when developing budgets that include workforce reduction and benefit decrease with your library staff, when enforcing library policies with belligerent patrons, and when providing opposing viewpoints on legislations with your closest allies.
Leadership is non-existent without a team and in our case, a CLA family.
3. What strengths would you bring to the position?
My enthusiasm and energy are a big part of who I am. Being able to laugh at myself while learning to improve from my mistakes is also another strong trait of mine. What makes me perfect is that I am not.
I believe my strengths also lie in my ability to bring people together while having fun making amazing things happen. I am passionate about ensuring the viability and sustainability of libraries through conversations and marketing. I will roll up my sleeves and do what is needed to get the work done.
4. What experience do you bring to this position?
I have over 27 years of library experience. I have worked my way up from a clerk to library director. I also have a conceptual understanding of marketing and promotion as I have had the honor of producing several documents for CLA. My service in CLA committees, CSDA boards and local non-profit boards have given me the experience to foster and nurture relationships while working towards library goals for my library and our CLA family.
5. What issues or trends are particularly informing your work at this time?
Homelessness, budget, and advocacy.
Recently the City of Placentia has declared itself a homeless crisis city. Our Library District has witnessed the increase and anticipate more transients when we re- open in the fall. We want to prepare ourselves to provide equitable access to this population while promoting self-sufficiency through various library programs and services we offer. I read and hear stories from other libraries about their services and the impacts they are having with the homeless in their cities and counties and we are listening. This is new territory for our Library District.
Budget is a reoccurring issue for libraries throughout California. Being prudent and fiscally responsible has enabled our Library District to expand library hours, maintain staff level, offer new programs and services, and implement a fine-free policy. As with most libraries, we are doing the best with the funding we have and in order for libraries to prepare for the constant and rapid technological and cultural changes, we need a healthier budget. Libraries are asked to do more with less for the past several decades and I believe CLA can convene our association together to address this issue with our community members and other partners. I am grateful for our friends group and their support. The California State Library has also been a reliable funding source, sustaining our literacy programs, improving our network connections through CENIC, providing e-resources such as the New York Times, and Overdrive.
As a member of CSDA, I have witnessed their advocacy strengths and initiatives. I believe CLA can better serve its members through a determined advocacy plan. There are a few current legislations that affect all or some libraries, including ACA 1, AB 510, AB 1486, and SB 13. Without a seat at the table, libraries will make minimal dent. CLA is our voice and every member makes up the microphone to carry that message.
6. Who are the thought leaders (in libraries or in other fields) who interest you?
Michelle Obama I listened to Ms. Obama speak at an ALA conference and as a minority woman, I admire her passionate drive, grace and appreciation for cultural and gender differences. She is an amazing role model who understands the importance of literacy and she can spellbound one with her articulation and mannerism.
Robert Karatsu Robert opened the CLA door for me. Prior to my encounter with Robert, I did not see the value of being a CLA member. Robert taught me that the value I want from CLA is the value I have to put in and I have volunteered for CLA since then. His laugh is also contagious.
Chris Brown Who better to bring a coalition together through effective leadership than Chris Brown? His encouragement, positive interactions with others, and ability to communicate so effortlessly is quite impressive. He can rally the troops and make things happen.
Natalie Cole Humble and so intelligent. I am amazed at all she does for the State Library and libraries statewide. Her smile and professionalism are much appreciated despite the constant changes she faces at the state level. She has the biggest heart and is always willing to lend a helping hand.
7. Who are the regional and statewide stakeholders libraries need to be in communication with?
Anyone and everyone whose lives libraries have transformed or impacted, including constituents, school districts, local and state officials, service clubs, the chamber of commerce, the American Library Association, the Library of Congress, and of course, members of CLA. Our stakeholders can also include our international colleagues and I see the possibility as more and more libraries are connected through CENIC which enables us to do so much while learning and appreciating our individual country’s culture.
We need to have many conversations, big and small, to understand how we can best serve our communities. We know not what we can offer until we start empathetically listening through mindful and meaningful conversations.
8. What do you feel are the most critical challenges and opportunities facing California libraries right now?
California libraries right now? Each library’s challenges and opportunities are uniquely different, as evidenced by the diverse programs and services offered throughout the state. Public libraries serve over 39 million people and I cannot pretend to understand the challenges and opportunities for all 184 public libraries in California. What I do know is libraries continue to do so much more with fewer staff, fewer dollars and with more political and policy obstacles; yet, despite these issues, our library staff, from pages to directors, handle these challenges as opportunities to highlight our excellent people skills because we know our business is service and we do so with a smile.
9. Describe your experience serving on Association committees and/or interest groups.
My experience is broad and deep. I have served on the California Library Association Leadership Development and Advocacy Committees and REFORMA, chaired the DEMCO scholarship for the American Library Association, and served on the CSDA Professional Development and Fiscal & Financial Committees. As a former board member on the Homeless Intervention Shelter House Board and Rotary Club of Placentia, I understand some of the issues facing California libraries and opportunities to work with various community partners to address these challenges. I am a proud member of ALA, CLA, PLA, CSDA, Chamber of Commerce, and the Rotary Club of Placentia.
10. Describe your network of connections with library professionals and library stakeholders in California.
I have supported CLA through my membership and in the past few years through my involvement with the annual conferences and committee work. Last year, my staff and I had the privilege of working on Past-President, Dolly Goyal’s initiative – Start Strong in Libraries: Kicking Off Your Library Career!; a symposium that provides library school students, new librarians, paraprofessionals, or anyone interested in libraries, to attend sessions that offers insights, tips, and information on starting strong in libraries. Dolly’s another amazing and talented library professional, leading future generations through her involvement with CLA is nothing short of encouraging for future CLA leaders. Prior to that, I was heavily involved with many wonderful individuals to help promote the CLA election. Our work resulted in a 20% increase in election turnout.
I was also asked to work with my legislators to advocate support and opposition for several bills. Most recently, my board and I have visited with and written letters to legislators in support / opposition for the following legislation:
• AB 510 (Cooley) Support AB 510, allows public agencies to manage their financial and equipment resources by setting their own records retention policies for recordings related to routine video monitoring, radios, and telephones. Privacy and confidentiality are one of the library’s core values and many libraries in California currently have camera systems to protect the safety of patrons, volunteers, and equally important, our staff.
• AB 1486 (Ting) Oppose AB 1486, requires public agencies to offer their land for development before leasing their property. Our request was to amend the bill to limit the scope to include the sale of surplus land and remove property for lease in the language.
• ACA 1 (Aguiar – Curry) Support ACA 1, creates voter approved mechanism to reduce the vote threshold for local general obligation bonds to 55%. Similar to SCA 3, this bill includes all public works projects and is not exclusive to libraries.
• SB 13 (Wieckowski) Oppose SB 13, prohibits impact fees on accessory dwelling units (ADUs) smaller than 750 square feet. The bill would significantly limit the impact fees that may be charged to larger ADUs. Several libraries in California currently collect impact fees and for Placentia Library District, it would decrease our annual budget by two percent. While that may not sound like a lot, it is roughly $67,000 and for a small library system, it means negative impacts in our collection and our ability to offer innovative programs and services.
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