i | BiographyI was raised in Alaska, attended college in Oregon, and eventually found my way to California. I’ve lived in Northern California for the last 25 years. I currently reside in West Sacramento and love the proximity to the Bay Area, Tahoe, and downtown Sacramento. Outside of work, I enjoy running, hiking, practicing yoga, and hanging out with a small group of friends. I volunteer as a community mediator, help out at the local food bank, support the local LGBT community center, and work with several library organizations in Yolo County. |
Education:
I’ve always been a curious person, and love to learn new things and take on new challenges. I’ve found it rewarding to learn in formal academic settings while being open to learning in more informal ways – taking yoga classes (Vinyasa, 26/2 Hot Yoga), listening to podcasts (It’s Been a Minute, Radiolab, Heavyweight), and taking random classes - all of which keep me grounded and aware of the complex world in which we live.
• Bachelor’s degree, Willamette University
• Juris Doctor, McGeorge School of Law
• Master’s degree in Library and Information Science, San Jose State University
• Master’s degree in Public Administration, Golden Gate University
• Certificate in Negotiation Mastery, Harvard Business School
• Community Mediator Certification, Yolo Conflict Resolution Center
• 200 Hour Instructor Certification, Yoga Alliance
Work:
Over the last twenty years, I’ve held school and public library positions in Northern California.
• Librarian, Concord High School
• Library Director, Athenian School
• Library Specialist, Contra Costa County Library
• Community Librarian, Santa Clara County Library District
• Library Services Manager, Santa Clara County Library District
• Deputy Director, Solano County Library
• County Librarian, Yolo County Library (current)
Candidate StatementAs I write this, I keep ruminating on the uncertainty our libraries face, and what we can do about it. We’re sheltering in place, offering curbside services, and finding new ways to reach our patrons online and outside. Moreover, we are unified in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, and are working together to elevate and prioritize equity in our organizations and communities. These circumstances have inspired me to step up to pursue a leadership role with CLA. I’d like to join a team of talented colleagues to lead CLA into its next chapter, with an emphasis on protecting the organization’s financial health and stability, while making CLA more accessible and welcoming to everyone in the library community. As CLA Treasurer, I would work with the Board of Directors and Finance Committee to safeguard its core programs, keep CLA membership affordable, and develop financial strategies to fund organizational priorities.
For the last fifteen years, I’ve been a CLA member and served on the Advocacy and Legislative Committee (2013-2017) and the PR Excellence Awards Committee (2012-2018). I’ve participated in numerous CLA workshops, webinars and conferences, and seen the organization pivot to meet the needs of California libraries. I’ve been impressed with CLA’s “Developing Leaders in California Libraries” program, and grateful for the expansion of CLA’s “Summer @ Your Library” and the “Lunch at the Library” programs.
I was drawn to this work from my experience as a child spending hours at the Noel Wien Public Library in Fairbanks, Alaska learning and dreaming about a world I had yet to experience. Now, several decades later, I’d be honored to help lead an organization whose members empower families and make the dreams of children in California achievable.
Questionaire1. How do you define leadership?
To me, a leader is:
1. Accountable to others and delivers on their commitments
2. A Strategic Thinker who is proactive, builds consensus with stakeholders, leads with a plan, adjusts course as new information becomes available, and works to protect the vision and sustainability of the organization
3. Transparent when making decisions
4. Seeks out and relies on the expertise and perspectives of others
2. Why are you interested in this position?
I want to work with a team to explore new ways to make CLA more accessible and affordable for all people in the library community. This could include creating a charitable foundation to support CLA, revising the CLA dues structure, and reviewing CLA’s organizational priorities and aligning them with sustainable funding sources.
I’m also motivated to invest in the future of our profession as it faces challenges on multiple fronts. By giving time and energy to CLA, I want to be part of a team that works on practical and creative solutions to keep libraries relevant and financially stable in the years to come.
3. How would you describe your personal leadership/communication style?
I am a direct communicator and value transparency and authenticity from others. I work best as a member of team. I seek out the advice, opinions and expertise of others. When things don’t work out as planned, I accept responsibility and look for ways to resolve the situation and move forward.
4. What strengths would you bring to the position?
I offer the following strengths for this role: being a strategic thinker, listening to others, belief in the power of public libraries, and initiating partnerships to tackle shared challenges.
I am a strategic thinker who absorbs and analyzes information to make sound decisions. I also ask a lot of questions and seek multiple perspectives as part of a strategic planning process.
Over the last several years, I have worked on becoming a better listener, which I believe is now one of my strengths. I am interested in learning from folks with different values, perspectives and lived experiences, and integrate these dimensions into library policies and practices.
I believe in the transformative power of libraries, and how important it is that we keep our doors open to the public, and make our services accessible to all. This belief is also a strength, in that it informs all of the work I do.
Finally, I value partnerships. When you get several organizations in the room to partner on meeting a common goal, there is strength in numbers and expertise. I don’t believe that library workers have to do all of the heavy lifting, and there are great organizations in our communities that can lend a hand.
5. What experience do you bring to this position?
This is summarized above – I have 20+ years of experience working in public and school libraries in Northern California. Over the last ten years, I have held managerial and executive roles with three county library systems. In addition, I have served on the CLA Legislative and Advocacy Committee and the PR Excellence Awards Committee.
6. What issues or trends are particularly informing your work at this time?
As it relates to the position of Treasurer, I believe the most pressing issue we face is the looming fiscal crisis that will impact CLA as an organization and its membership. I am concerned about CLA’s fiscal status, and want to work with the Board of Directors, the Finance Committee, and interested members to find ways to ensure CLA can continue to be a financially stable organization. In addition, we have to look for ways to make CLA membership affordable for everyone in the library community.
Supporting the Black Lives Matter movement by taking action at a local level is our most pressing issue. I recognize my privilege and want to use it to help remove historic and institutional barriers so more members of our wonderfully diverse community lead our organizations and run our governing boards.
7. Who are the thought leaders (in libraries or in other fields) who interest you?
I admire and learn from these thought leaders: Carla Hayden, Michelle Obama, Barack Obama, Yoruba Richen, Simon Sinek, Jimmy Carter and Benjamin Mays.
8. Who are the regional and statewide stakeholders libraries need to be in communication with?
First, I want to acknowledge the tremendous work that the California State Library and CLA are doing right now hosting networking and information sharing sessions via Zoom for library workers throughout the state. I feel very connected to my colleagues, and it couldn’t have come at a better time!
The California Library Services Board (CLSB) is an influential entity that more folks in our community should be paying attention to. The CLSB consists of nine members appointed by the Governor and four by the Legislature. The state board determines policy for and authorizes allocation of funds from programs of the California Library Services Act.
Regional resource sharing networks like Califa and Link+ are also great regional partners, and they provide the opportunities for libraries to work together to address shared challenges.
Additionally, I’d like to see libraries connect and communicate with local and state organizations that regulate education, workforce development, and philanthropic efforts. These include the California Department of Education, California Workforce Development Board, and local chapters of the United Way.
Finally, there is more room for libraries to collaborate with, and seek direct support from, affinity organizations including the California County Librarians Association, California Public Library Advocates and United for Libraries.
9. What do you feel are the most critical challenges and opportunities facing California libraries right now?
The looming fiscal crisis in California presents our greatest challenge and our greatest opportunity. Most public libraries closed during the COVID-19 crisis, and they were forced to reinvent themselves by offering new programs and services – offering curbside service, enhanced digital collections, and robust virtual programs come to mind. Based on our share experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, we know we can work together to develop new service models to meet our patrons’ needs.
Libraries will need to continue to find new ways to reach patrons, fight for their place at the funding table, and meet increasing demand for services. I have been inspired by our library community’s collaborative spirit over the last six months. Specifically, the State Library and CLA have stepped up and done an amazing job connecting our community via Zoom for networking and information sharing sessions.
10. Describe your experience serving on Association committees and/or interest groups.
I served on the CLA Legislative and Advocacy Committee from 2013-2017 and was recently reappointed as the Legislative Liaison for the California County Librarians Association.
I served on the PR Excellence Award Committee from 2012-2018.
11. Describe your network of connections with library professionals and library stakeholders in California.
Currently I serve in leadership roles with the following organizations:
• Past President and Executive Committee Member, Link+
o Link+ is a resource sharing consortium of public and academic libraries in California and Nevada.
• Vice President, NorthNet Library System
o NorthNet Library System has 41 member libraries in California from north of San Francisco up to the Oregon border.
• Board of Directors, Califa
o Califa Group is a nonprofit library membership consortium of more than 230 libraries and is the largest library network in California.
• Liaison to the CLA Legislative Committee, California County Librarians Association
In addition to collaborating with folks serving on these boards, I have built trusted and candid relationships with a network of folks working for libraries throughout California.
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