RESUME
Professional
Summary
Enthusiastic youth librarian with extensive knowledge in encouraging children, teens, and families to become life-long learners and fostering a love of reading, creativity, and critical thinking. I have ample experience in library and youth services in which innovation and communication are key for developing a strong relationship with both the community and staff. In addition, I know the importance of a librarian and how one must analyze and adapt to meet continually growing goals through originality, creativity, and dedication.
Work
Experience
Youth Services Librarian
Pembroke Public Library
July 2014 - Present
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Develop, schedule, promote, and implement youth events (ages 0 – 18) based on assessed needs and interests of the community. Programs include, but are not limited to:
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Twice weekly Storytimes for ages 2 - 5
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Once weekly Lapsit for ages 6 - 24 months
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Monthly after school programs such as LEGO Club, Chess Club, and Puppy Dog Tales (a read-to-a-therapy dog opportunity)
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Seasonal events such as the Summer Reading Challenge and the October BOO-tacular, which is planned in coordination with the local Council on Aging.
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Perform Reader’s Advisory and reference services for youth, caregivers, and educators.
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Develop, manage, and promote collections of print, media, and realia resources for children, teens, caregivers, and educators.
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Perform outreach and storytimes for local schools and at town events.
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Collaborate with staff and department heads to develop and implement unique and creative programs, collections, displays, and services for the community.
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Collaborate with local schools to ensure Library services and collections reflect student, educator, and caregiver needs.
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Promote youth collections, services, and events in-house, at local venues, and online.
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Organize and update youth areas to reflect community needs and offer a welcoming space.
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Coordinate with educators and performers in annual Local Cultural Council grant applications, allowing grant-funded visits from puppeteers, storytellers, musicians, and more.
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Design and maintain youth pages on Library website and social media content (Instagram, Facebook) to promote services and maintain positive public interactions.
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Supervise and train staff in youth-specific services.
Spotlight Projects:
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Collaborated with local early literacy teachers to develop phonics kits and collections to meet updated school standards.
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Implemented youth Summer Reading incentive program that increased K-6 student participation by 24 percent in its first year; this program remains active each summer.
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Developed youth-specific Library of Things (At-Home Education Kits) with unique items focused on building academic skills and Social-Emotional Learning.
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Created ongoing passive program opportunities for children and teens that encouraged Library visits and exploration.
Core Competencies
K-12 READER'S ADVISORY
K-12 REFERENCE
OUTREACH ACTIVITIES
INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS & EVENTS
LIBRARY SERVICES PROMOTION
ORGANIZATION & TIME MANAGEMENT
POSITIVE, EFFECTIVE PATRON INTERACTIONS
SOCIAL MEDIA CONTENT CREATION
WEBSITE MANAGEMENT
COLLECTION MANAGEMENT & PROMOTION
TECHNICAL & COMPUTER SKILLS
LIBRARY POLICY DEVELOPMENT
STAFF SUPERVISION & TRAINING
Young Adult Services Librarian
Clarion Free Library
June 2010 - June 2014
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Revitalized Teen Lounge through awarded grant.
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Established in-house video game collection and console use with supporting policies & accompanying programs.
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Developed and facilitated events for teen community.
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Developed, maintained, promoted, and cataloged young adult resources.
Education
Education
Clarion University of Pennsylvania, Clarion, PA
Master of Science in Library Science
May 2014
Clarion University of Pennsylvania, Clarion, PA
Bachelor of Science in Education in Library Science
December 2012
Professional
Development
Read & Bead: Innovations for Summer Reading
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2025 Presentation: Part of "YSS Program Speed Dating" during Massachusetts Library Association Conference
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2018 Presentation: SAILS Library Network Showcase
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2017 Webinar: Part of Massachusetts Library System "Continuing Education Events” presentations
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2016 Presentation: Part of "YSS Program Speed Dating" during Massachusetts Librarian Association Conference
Book Blogger for K-12 literature (October 2016 - April 2021)
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Youth Services Book Review is a Massachusetts-based book review blog run by volunteers (Site link)
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Books reviewed by myself primarily comprised of graphic novels, picture books, and board books (Link to Melissa McCleary's review entries)
Co-Chair of South Shore Young Adult Roundtable from September 2018 to October 2020
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Plan monthly meetings (in-person and virtually)
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Prep meeting activities and/or schedule members to present an activity, program, service, or idea from their library
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Promote collaboration for annual Summer Reading Challenges
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Update members regularly through email and Slack (online communication platform)
"Gender and Sexuality, Self-Identity, and Libraries: Reader's Advisory as a Technique for Creative (Dis)Assembly"
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Publication: Library Trends Volume 64, Number 4, Spring 2016 (Article link)
"Reading Gender in Children's Literature: Critical Library Pedagogy for Young Readers."
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Presentation: Gender and Sexuality in Information Studies Colloquium at University of Toronto, 2014 by colleague Michael Widdersheim (Conference link)
"The Princess and the Poor Self-Image: An Analysis of 21st Century Newbery Award Winners for Gender Bias and Under-representation of Females"
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Presentation: Fall 2011 at Clarion University of Pennsylvania
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Publication: Pennsylvania Libraries: Research & Practice, Spring 2014 with Michael Widdersheim (Article link)
“From Print To Screen: Planning Ideas And Skills For Using Books and Movies In The School Library.”
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Presentation: 2012 Pennsylvania School Librarians Association Conference with panel