Kris Amaral, Monterey County Free Library

Candidate for Director At Large

Biography

Kris Amaral serves as a Managing Librarian for the Monterey County Free Libraries(MCFL), which serves community members from diverse backgrounds covering 3265 square miles. In this role, Kris works with a team of 5 senior staff overseeing the operations of 16 branch libraries and 100 employees. She directly oversees the Technology Department, Erate, Support Services Department, and the Northern Inland Region.

Before coming to MCFL, Kris served as the Technical Services Manager for the City of Salinas’ Libraries and Community Services Department(LCSD). She started her career as on-call librarian and has held various roles

including Youth Services Manager, Head Reference Librarian, Head of Archives, Branch Manager, and Interim Deputy Librarian.

Kris’ career highlights include: bringing CENIC to LCSD; advocating for bilingual pay for library staff; leading the first crossed trained team to become the first library in Monterey County to organize a Comicon; creating partnerships with Loaves Fishes and Computers to bring free Chromebooks/computer classes for adults; creating partnership with First Tee to bring golf lessons to youth; partnering with Olweuss Bully Prevention to be the first library staff trained in bully prevention; and partnering with Ventana Wilderness to bring nature field trips to underserved children and families.

Candidate statement

As the current co-chair for CLA Advocacy and Legislative Committee and a committee member since 2019; I have seen the need for a rural library voice, and I would like the opportunity to take a more active role in having that voice heard.

I am also an Asian American whose father was interned in Poston Arizona during World War II. The issue of banned books and libraries across America limiting their programming and taking material off the shelves due to political and community pressure has become personal for me, and I want to add my voice to ensure that we Californian do our best to make sure that freedom of speech and libraries as a place of democracy is honored and not ignored.

Candidate Questions

1.    How do you define Leadership?

Leadership to me is leading from a place of trust, transparency, and integrity. To me that means  bringing my whole self to the job each day with intention, awareness, and presence.   Leaders see the bigger picture and bring their teams along sharing a common goal.   It is important to me to sincerely do my best to show up mentally and emotionally every day to support the individuals and the organization that I represent. I strive to practice these qualities and bring my whole self to my leadership and service as much as possible.

2.    Why are you interested in this position?

I have been fortunate to have served two fantastic library systems in my career in libraries in California, and I want to use the experience and knowledge I have gathered to give back.

3.    How would you describe your personal leadership communication style?

At my core, I am a team player and problem solver.  I am someone who believes in the power of a balanced team; getting feedback and by-in from staff, working with staff to accomplish a common goal is key to the success of any project.  I feel my ability to communicate clearly, be transparent, and be empathic are my keys to success.  I am good at balancing the goals and bigger vision with effective management to get things done.

4.    What strengths would you bring to the position?

I am not a stranger to the power of building relationships and working toward a common goal.  In my career I have overseen many big projects where I had to get buy-in in a city and county environment from employees, the public, and council men and women to get support to fund projects and change policies such as bilingual pay for staff.

I have served as a member and a chair for both the MOBAC Reference and MOBAC Technology Teams where it was my job to organize and put on workshops for the PLP members, come up with priorities for the committees, and come up with a way to support employees of different library systems in this area by coming up with instructional manuals and best practices.  Most recently, I have served as co-chair for the CLA Legislative and Advocacy Committee where we have successfully this year helped to rally libraries in certain districts to appeal to their legislators and assemblymen to vote to successfully support at a state level the current CLA Legislative Priorities.  

The experience I have had and relationships I have built while serving with CLA Advocacy and Legislative Committees and the MOBAC Committees will serve me well on the CLA Executive Board.

5.    What experience do you bring to this position?

I have served on the CLA Legislative and Advocacy Committee for 3 years now, and this year I had the fortune of serving as the co-chair of this committee.  In the last 3 years, I have built relationships with legislators and assemblyman in my districts of Monterey County.  As co-chair, I have worked closely with our lobbyists to bring important issues and causes to the forefront to work toward creating bills that are meaningful to the libraries in our state.  I have worked hard to build relationships with people who will bring diverse perspectives, skills, and strengths to develop a plan, solve a problem, or discuss an issue.

6.    What issues or trends are particularly informing your work at this time?

Stable funding sources
Creating a safe and welcoming place for staff to work and patrons to occupy
Hiring and keeping a diverse workforce
The mental health crisis in our cities  
The need for infrastructure improvements for internet and digital inclusion for all
Preparing for the issues of banned books and the pressure of limited programming due to political/community pressure across America
Advocating for libraries as educational institutions for everyone in the community

7.    Who were the thought leaders (in libraries were in other fields) who interest you?

Michelle Obama once said that a true leader is someone who brings others along on their success journey.    I most respect leaders that have a strong work ethic.   They lead from a place of integrity , transparency, trust.  To me this means leading by example and showing up to work daily to advocate for the organization, staff, and individuals we serve with purpose, active listening, and compassion.  I admire leaders that inspire others for a common goal, lead by example, and continually seek to grow as in individual and as a leader. Examples of these types of leaders are Martin Gómez, Christina DiCaro, Cynthia Bojorquez, Carol Frost, Hillary Theyer, and Jayanti Addleman.

8.    Who are the regional and statewide stakeholders’ libraries need to be in communication with?

Libraries need to have a voice in the key issues that affecting California citizens today.  We need to have a voice and increase our visibility in cities and counties on a legislative level.  This can be done by taking to our legislators on a regular basis and reminding them of our important issues.  We also need to be talking to non-profits and participating on legislation on a national level in terms of broadband issues.  I recently joined the SHLB Coalition, and in hopes of being a part of this discussion and advocacy in the future of bringing  affordable high-speed internet to everyone.

9.    Describe your experience serving on association committees and/or interest groups

I have both served and have been the chair on the MOBAC Reference and MOBAC Technology Committees in my career.  I have been on the CLA Legislative and Advocacy Committee for 3 years now and I am the current co-chair.  I also just joined the SHLB Committee which is advocating for broadband for anchor institutions in their communities.


10.    Describe your network of connections with library professionals and library stakeholders in California

I have worked in both a city and county environment and I have built many relationships along the way.  This network has just grown as colleagues move to other libraries in California and other states as they take on new roles. I have been a key player in the past in MOBAC and PLP as a chair of 2 committees helping to put on workshops for the coast and bay areas.  I also took part in the PLP Middle Management training where I met amazing emerging leaders in northern California that I still have a connection with today.  I have also been fortunate to have worked for many amazing library directors and staff over the years who have gone on to other organizations that I still have a relationship. We all still work actively connected working to help each other in the course of our work.