Experience

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  Sleeping bear press

  Jun 2011 - Aug 2011

  Intern to the publisher

  Sleeping Bear Press is a children’s publishing company, most famous for Legend of Sleeping Bear. Responsibilities:-Created and managed Facebook page.-Reviewed and discussed submissions.-Assisted with fact checking.-Developed press releases and flap copy.

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  Sylvester elementary

  Dec 2011 - Jun 2014

  Elementary school librarian

  Sylvester Elementary is the building for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students, as well as the center for the Special Education department. Responsibilities: -Assembled a yearly budget that included supplies, technology, and collections. -Provided programing and leadership opportunity for students outside of class time.-Planned the Scholastic Book Fair bi-yearly, recruiting students as volunteers and offering reading-based incentives. -Held library class for grades 5th, 4th, 3rd, and special needs kindergarten classes. -Acted as social media manager. -Cataloged new books using Follett software, repaired damaged books from library and classrooms, and weeded old books. Show less

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  Dominican university

  Jul 2014 - Jun 2015

  Graduate assistant

  The Butler Center is a non-circulating library at Dominican University that curates current children’s literature. Responsibilities:-Researched for various projects, as needed.-Cataloged new books and managing collections, as well as creating displays for the center. -Coordinated the Butler Book Sale. -Acted as social media assistant.

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  Oak park public library

  Oct 2014 - Dec 2014

  Storytime intern

  Oak Park Public Library’s children’s department provides two interns with the opportunity to provide outreach storytimes to daycares and preschools in Oak Park. Responsibilities:-Planned and performed stories, songs, and activities to promote early childhood literacy.

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  Oak park public library

  Jun 2015 - Aug 2015

  Teen services intern

  Oak Park Public Library’s Teen Summer Volunteer Program offers teens the chance to give back to their community through creation and collaboration. Responsibilities:-Collaborated with librarians to plan lessons for a creative writers’ workshop.-Collaborating with librarians to help teens design projects to teach younger children STEAM concepts through play.-Assisted the teen librarian in running a Super Smash Brothers tournament.

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  Berwyn public library

  Jun 2015 - May 2016

  Outreach associate

  Berwyn Public Library’s Outreach department provides services to those in the community who cannot make visits to the library, as well as providing educational assistance to adults preparing for tests such as the GED. Responsibilities:-Partnered with local preschools to provide storytimes and books to children.-Developed a sensory storytime method for special needs classrooms. -Delivered and selected books for homebound patrons.-Lead computer tutoring for adults.-Represented the library at outreach events at schools and fairs in the community. Show less

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  Skokie public library

  Sept 2015 - May 2016

  Community engagement intern

  Skokie Public Library’s Community Engagement department promotes and provides opportunities for the whole community to connect in and out of the library. Responsibilities:-Partnered with local preschools to provide storytimes to young children of diverse backgrounds and abilities.-Collaborated with other librarians to run programs for children and teens.-Provided reference and advisory services in Youth Services area.-Provided reference and advisory services for the Audio/Visual desk.-Participated in departmental meetings. Show less

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  Dowagiac district library

  May 2016 - Apr 2017

  Youth services coordinator

  Dowagiac District Library’s Youth Services department provides services to youth from birth through high school. Responsibilities:-Provided early literacy initiatives such as Storytime, 1000 Books Before Kindergarten, and Every Child Ready to Read Workshops for families in Dowagiac.-Developed and lead programs for youth.-Created and monitored a makerspace with a focus in STEAM.-Wrote grants for youth services resources and programs.-Initiated contact with community partners for library programs and community events.-Facilitated school visits to promote programs and bring stories to classrooms.-Developed and maintained collections for youth from birth through high school.-Marketed for programs through the library website, flyers, and social media. -Supervised teen volunteers on tasks in the youth services department. Show less

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  St. joe county public library

  Apr 2017 - now

  -Manages staff through training, regular meetings, goal-setting, and evaluations. -Coordinates and approves schedules for all staff at the Centre, Lakeville, and North Liberty Branches.-Supports Collection Development through weeding, recommending, and suggesting replacements for materials in the collection.-Collaborates with the Assistant Manager on areas of staff development for Library Assistants.-Collaborates with the Children’s Librarian on services for children.-Supports the Community Branch Managers at the Lakeville and North Liberty Branches through regular check in meetings, coverage, and input.-Plans and executes signature programs with staff collaboration.-Directs, assists, and supports in outreach efforts for the Centre Branch.-Works with community partners to provide resources and opportunities to patrons.-Answered reference, reader’s advisory, and digital resource questions in person and over the phone. -Assisted patrons in technical support, formatting documents, and using eReaders.-Serves on the Adult Programming Committee and other SJCPL teams to collaborate on system-wide initiatives. Show less -Formed the Early Literacy Team, which meets monthly to discuss early literacy initiatives.-Developed training, procedures, and resources for all storytime librarians, including orientation, ongoing training, and assessment via observations and feedback.-Developed Early Lit Day, a staff-led professional development training for SJCPL youth librarians.-Coordinated system-wide Babytime, Storytime, Playtime schedules and facilitated these programs at Main Library.-Created Grab & Go Early Lit Kits to serve low-income families unable to attend Storytime.-Relaunched 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten, increasing awareness and registration.-Created SJCPL’s first Early Literacy and Children’s newsletter.-Delivered weekly storytimes at Main Library, as well as class tours and outreach.-Created a sensory room with light, sound, and touch manipulatives for children with developmental disabilities.-Oversaw early literacy and children’s reader’s advisory, which includes managing the kids’ lists on Bibliocommons.-Answered reference, reader’s advisory, and digital resource questions in person and over the phone. -Collaborated on the SBCSC-SJCPL READ-y Partnership, acting as the lead for SJCPL in the absence of the Youth Services Manager.-Led staff meetings, approved requisitions, and co-managed the Youth Services department in the absence of the Manager.-Collaborated with Education and Programming on initiatives, such as Explore-a-Story. Show less The North Liberty Branch of Saint Joseph County Public Library offers services and programs for all residents of Saint Joseph County. Responsibilities:-Identifying and developing training opportunities for staff, including training on basic technology skills.-Answering reference, reader’s advisory, and digital resource questions in person and over the phone.-Assisting patrons in technical support, formatting documents, and using eReaders.--Coordinating schedules for staff at the library branch.-Supporting Collection Development through weeding, recommending, and suggesting replacements for materials in the collection.-Creating digital content virtual programs of interest for adults and youth, such as: The Write Space, Young Writer's Workshop, Live Storytelling, Comic Chat, Science Alive videos, and Reader's Advisory videos.-Collaborating with the Children's Assistant on programs for youth, such as: ABC Grab & Go crafts, Storytimes at Potato Creek State Park, and StoryWalks.-Running SJCPL Writes, the library's online literary magazine, with staff from various branches as editors.-Serving on committees to plan system-wide programs such as the One Book, One Michiana committee, the Virtual Programming Committee, and the Virtual Reader's Advisory Committee.-Developed virtual visits for classes at North Liberty Elementary.-Established connections with local organizations such as: Main Street Merchants, the Town Park, and Potato Creek State Park. Show less The Centre Township Branch of Saint Joseph County Public Library offers services and programs for all residents of Saint Joseph County. Responsibilities:-Managed the branch in the absence of the manager.-Answered reference, reader’s advisory, and digital resource questions in person and over the phone.-Assisted patrons in technical support, formatting documents, and using eReaders.-Hired and supervised adult, teen, and special needs volunteers to assist in regular tasks and special projects.-Managed the Centre Township Branch Material Handlers through training, regular meetings, goal-setting, and evaluations.--Coordinated schedules for staff at the library branch.-Supported Collection Development through weeding, recommending, and suggesting replacements for materials in the collection.- Planned and lead programs of interest for adults and teens such as tea tastings and Writer's Workshop.-Collaborated with the Children's Assistant on programming for youth such as Homeschool Meetup and Hour of Code.-Developed and collaborated on digital content and virtual programs such as: Comic Chat, Adult Storytelling, and virtual Reader's Advisory.-Created and ran SJCPL Writes, the library's online literary magazine, with staff from various branches as editors.-Served on committees to plan system-wide programs such as the One Book, One Michiana committee, the Virtual Programming Committee, and the Virtual Reader's Advisory Committee.-Established connections with Logan Center and the Children's Dispensary to engage and provide opportunities for people with disabilities. Show less The Roger B. Francis Branch of Saint Joseph County Public Library offers services and programs for all residents of Saint Joseph County. Responsibilities:-Managed the branch in the absence of the manager, when necessary.-Answered reference, reader’s advisory, and digital resource questions in person and over the phone. -Assisted patrons in technical support, formatting documents, and using eReaders.-Supported Collection Development through weeding, recommending, and suggesting replacements for materials in the collection.-Coordinated schedules for all staff at the library branch.- Planned and lead programs of interest for adults and youth such as: tea tastings, Writer's Workshops, Storytelling, Ukulele Strum, and Comic Club.-Collaborated with the Children’s Assistant to develop library STEAM Kits, STEAM programs and pop-ups, and a STEAM Challenge Cart.-Delivered Storytimes as a substitute for the Children's Assistant when necessary.-Hired and supervised adult, teen, and special needs volunteers to assist in regular tasks and special projects.-Managed the Francis Branch Material Handlers through training, regular meetings, goal-setting, and evaluations.-Developed an annual, day-long Free Comic Book Day event in collaboration with other staff members and local artists.-Served on committees to plan system-wide programs, including: the One Book, One Michiana Committee, the Summer Reading Challenge Committee, and a Lean Cross-Functional Team.-Maintained outreach efforts with community organizations, such as: Darden Elementary, Logan Center, and Ten Thousand VIllages. 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  • Area Branch Manager

    Nov 2022 - now

  • Early Literacy Librarian

    Sept 2021 - Nov 2022

  • Community Branch Manager

    Jan 2021 - Sept 2021

  • Assistant Branch Manager

    Sept 2019 - Dec 2020

  • Assistant Branch Manager

    Apr 2017 - Sept 2019