Brenda Carrillo, Sacramento State University

Candidate for CLA Member at Large

Brenda Carrillo is the Head of Collection Management Services at Sacramento State University, where she oversees Technical Services and Collection Development. She previously held leadership roles at the University of the Pacific, including Director of Discovery Services and Head of Access and Systems Services at the McGeorge School of Law. Brenda holds an MLIS from San José State University and a BA in Paralegal Studies from Humphreys University.

Her career spans a wide range of library environments—including public, school, law, and academic libraries—which has provided broad and inclusive perspectives on librarianship. Brenda is also a U.S. Army veteran, having specialized in signal and communications. In her free time, she enjoys scrapbooking, reading, and creating new adventures with her daughter.

CANDIDATE STATEMENT

I am interested in running for a position on the CLA Board of Directors because I believe my background in academic libraries and technical services can contribute meaningfully to the CLA community. With over 20 years of experience in libraries, budget management, and collection development, I am eager to share my insights and knowledge in a broader environment such as CLA. This would be my first time serving on a board, and I see it as an opportunity to step outside my comfort zone and engage with a new dimension of librarianship. I welcome the challenge and growth that come with board service.

Over the past 15+ years, I have led departments and teams, continually refining my leadership skills. I am committed to lifelong learning and have actively sought opportunities to grow, including attending the Harvard Leadership Institute to deepen my leadership capabilities. I believe in leading by example—always advocating for my team and striving to do what’s best for the department and the library as a whole. I value fairness, compassion, and understanding, and I maintain an open-door policy to ensure team members feel heard and supported. I bring qualities that I believe align with what the Board seeks: dedication, organization, strong listening skills, and a collaborative spirit.

If elected, my key priorities would include: Serving as a voice for academic libraries; Advocating for the diverse needs of all libraries; and Supporting strategies that help libraries thrive, especially during challenging times.