I am a Librarian II – Youth Services at Santa Monica Public’s Main Library, located just blocks away from the world famous  Santa Monica Pier.  I’ve been with SMPL since 2004, and it was my first library job after graduating with my MLIS degree from UCLA that same year.  My major responsibilities include coordinating the children’s summer reading program for the library system, managing the system-wide collection development of juvenile nonfiction materials, creating and maintaining the work coverage schedule for the Youth Services team at the Main Library, and supervising three fantastic Youth Services Librarians.

Before I entered the wonderful world of librarianship, I was a Merchandiser at Gap, Inc. headquarters in San Francisco.  While in library school at UCLA, I had the great opportunity to work at the California Center for the Book as a Programs Assistant.      

I try to stay active in both state and local professional organizations.  In the past I’ve been a member of the California Library Association’s Beatty Award and Begun Scholarship Committees.  Since 2007, I’ve served on the Board of the Children’s Literature Council of Southern California, and have held several leadership positions in the organization, including my current role as the 2011-2012 President.  By far one of the more unusual (and fun!) experiences I’ve ever had was serving as Captain of the Santa Monica Public Library’s first ever Book Cart Drill Team, which ultimately won 1^st place in the 2008 ALA annual competition!

I am very excited to participate in Eureka! this year.   I look forward to developing and enhancing my leadership skills and techniques, establishing connections and sharing ideas with library colleagues from all across California.  In my free time I like to do yoga, play games (board, video, card… you name it!), watch independent films on Netflix with my husband, spend time with family, and overall just enjoy life.