In my various reincarnations as a librarian, I've served as a children's services librarian, adult services librarian and currently, Community Library Manager for Hawthorne Library. As Community Library Manager, I do a little bit of everything and work the Reference Desk quite often that keeps me on my toes and keeps my reference skills sharp. With a Homework Center, Teen Zone, Family Place and many public computers, my staff and I try hard to provide a local place for all ages and multiple generations to hang out and enjoy themselves as well as to meet their information needs.

My committee work includes serving on the San Jose State SLIS Alumni Board as a Director-at-Large since 2008. I've served on the CLA Committee for Cultural Diversity and was Co-leader of the Leadership Development Committee for the County of Los Angeles Public Library Strategic Plan Task Force.

Along with my current Transforming Life After 50 grant project and the Eureka Leadership Institute, my special interests include library leadership in the 21st Century, how the changing needs of today's library user has changed library service and the "greening" of preexisting library building including making landscaping more water efficient and keeping run-off from reaching our beaches and oceans.

I enjoy hiking, especially at the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy, make Target my regular haunt and shop the end of the aisle bargain shelves, religiously. I have a passion for the Chicago School of Architecture and had a great time at the 2009 ALA Annual Conference in Chicago taking walking tours of this amazing city.

What I will strive to attain from the Eureka Institute Fellowship is a lasting experience where I can grow my skills, challenge my thinking and explore innovative ideas. I hope to gain the leadership skills needed to affect change, build partnerships and bring groundbreaking services to my local and greater library community.