I began working for the San Francisco Public Library in 1988. I started out as a Library Page while still in college and then later decided to attend library school. After completing my M.L.I.S., it was my intention to come back to SFPL to work as a librarian right away, but my journey back to SFPL was to include many other stops along the way.

My first job out of library school was as a research editor with Wired Digital. I worked on several interesting projects with this company, such as the transfer of Wired Magazine content to digital form using elaborate indexing, custom subject terms and other descriptors. A few years later, I moved to New York City and worked for Deja.com as a producer and information specialist. I managed content and worked with IT, design and business development, in creating online tools to search and evaluate consumer goods based on user reviews. After the dot com bust, I came back to San Francisco to work as the knowledge and information specialist for a commodities consulting company. I was given the task of organizing the Institution's content, streamlining their publications process, using technology where applicable, and project managing the development of a database to improve customer relations management.

Now I have come full circle. I am currently the Electronic & Audiovisual Collections Specialist, working for the San Francisco Public Library in the Collection Development office. Many of my responsibilities revolve around the selection and maintenance of our online databases (Ebsco, Gale, Proquest, OverDrive, etc.) Other duties include selecting audiovisual materials (DVDs, CDs, audiobooks), participating on committees (eleven at last count), and educating staff and patrons about digital resources and technology issues.

I applied for the Institute because I see it and my chosen project as substantial challenges. I hope to learn what it is to be a leader, what is expected of leaders, to identify the type of leadership that best suits my personality, and to apply the skills that I learn to the projects and teams I work with.

In my professional life, I'm most passionate about using technology to develop services of interest to the local community. My personal interests include the three "M's": music, motorcycles and mixology.