I am a Youth Services Librarian at the Monrovia Public Library in Monrovia, California, which is in Southern California, near the Pasadena area. I am responsible for a variety of areas such as: cataloging and maintaining juvenile materials; collection development for dvds and special collections; conducting outreach; creating community partnerships;  and designing and developing youth programs.  In addition, I research and write grants, serve on community services committees, and provide ready reference and technological instruction to our library community members.  Lastly, I have driven our Monrovia Reads and Plays mobile library van, which provides needed literacy and recreation services to underserved areas of our community.

I began working in the library community as a summer reading club clerk ten summers ago.  It was a “baptism by fire” introduction to the summer reading club and youth services at the library.  That fall, I was offered a librarian position in youth services and later earned a Masters Degree in Library and Information Science.  Prior to becoming a librarian, my background was in education—as an instructor of early childhood, elementary and adult classes. 

My professional activities include publications in a library professional journal and an area children’s literature newsletter, where I also served as editor and member.  My community activities include volunteering as a literacy tutor for adults and at a local food bank agency for families in need.

My reason for attending the Eureka! Leadership Institute is both personal and professional growth.   I hope to learn leadership skills from library professionals, to meet and work with librarians currently in the field of librarianship, and to have new and inspiring experiences to incorporate into my professional and personal life. 

I currently enjoy being in the company of my 2.5 year old granddaughter, Miss Madison.  After raising three boys, it is a new and delightful experience.  We both enjoy nature and together we planted a butterfly garden and installed finch bird feeders in the backyard. It’s been a wonderful experience seeing familiar things in a new and different light!