They’re the new faces greeting you at the reference desk, shelving books in the stacks, and experimenting with fresh ideas behind the scenes. These are the library world’s rising stars, the generation that will move, shape, and influence the present and future of the Association and the library profession.
These are the American Library Association’s Emerging Leaders of 2014.
Initiated in 1997 as a one-year program under former ALA President Mary R. Somerville and revived in 2006 under former ALA President Leslie Burger, the Emerging Leaders program recognizes the best and brightest new leaders in our industry. It’s open to librarians under 35 years of age or those new to the library profession of any age with fewer than five years of experience working at a professional or paraprofessional level in a library. The program allows these stars to get on the fast track to ALA and professional leadership, participate in project-planning work groups, network with peers, gain an inside look into ALA structure, and have an opportunity to serve the profession in a leadership capacity early in their careers.
The 56 honorees in the Emerging Leaders class of 2014 represent a wide variety of libraries and professional specialties. Their diversity is their strength, shining a bright beacon into the futures of both the ALA and the library world.
Katelyn Angell
Position: Reference and Instruction Librarian
Name of library: Long Island University, Brooklyn (N.Y.) Campus Library
What are your goals as an Emerging Leader? To cultivate leadership skills that I will use to improve my library practice and contribute to the development of the profession, form connections with other Emerging Leaders, and collaborate on exciting projects with them.
What is your primary information specialty? Reference and instruction with a subject specialty in psychology
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Working as a tenured reference and instruction librarian/associate professor at Long Island University, Brooklyn
Fill in the blank: Subject headings are my favorite!
Who are your heroes? My parents
What’s your favorite place in the library? The library instruction classrooms
What author do you want to have dinner with? Gertrude Stein
What inspired you to become a librarian? I wanted to help people learn how to locate and apply information needed to empower themselves and their communities.
Name something few colleagues know about you. When I was in 3rd grade, I won first prize in a Halloween costume contest at my town library for my Dracula costume.
What is your favorite social media tool? Facebook, because it’s the most versatile in its functions
Laura Arnhold
Position: Children’s Librarian
Name of library: Upper Merion Township Library, King of Prussia, Pennsylvania
What are your goals as an Emerging Leader? To challenge myself, network with amazing librarians, and become a more active member of ALA and PLA.
What is your primary information specialty? Early literacy and children’s literature. I love teaching parents how to foster a love of reading and helping kids find the “just right” book to read.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? I want to be a strong leader in my library, continuing to learn more about the library field and actively participate with patrons by providing the programs and materials wanted/needed in my community.
Fill in the blank: Cooking is my favorite!
Who are your heroes? My parents. They have always allowed me to follow my own unique dreams and supported me in any way they could along the way.
What’s your favorite place in the library? Our Little Theatre. Being in the room makes me excited to share library programs with kids of all ages!
What author do you want to have dinner with? Brian Selznick. I love the way he reinterpreted children’s chapter books.
What inspired you to become a librarian? There was never another option for me: I grew up surrounded by books, loved visiting the library, and begged to start working there as soon as possible. And now I get to share my passion with others.
Name something few colleagues know about you. I’m an avid blogger promoting children’s literature and services.
What is your favorite social media tool? Twitter. I enjoy connecting with authors, illustrators, and other librarians on a personal level that I probably wouldn’t be able to otherwise.
Tameca Beckett
Position: Youth Services Librarian
Name of library: Laurel (Del.) Public Library
What is your primary information specialty? Youth Services
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? I hope to be finishing my PhD and working in a position of leadership on a local, national, and international level.
Fill in the blank: Triple grande caramel brûlée is my favorite!
Who’s your hero? I believe heroes walk among us; unrecognized, average people who are making a difference in the world each day.
What’s your favorite place in the library? Our community room
What author do you want to have dinner with? J. California Cooper
What inspired you to become a librarian? People.
Name something that few colleagues know about you. I love Wes Anderson films. I think I might have fit quite nicely into the Tenenbaum family.
What is your favorite social media tool? Scoop.it. It’s my own customized magazine.
Erin Berman
Position: Librarian
Name of library: Berryessa and Evergreen Libraries, San José, California
What are your goals as an Emerging Leader? World domination. Or at the very least to learn leadership skills that will aid me in providing stellar library services to my community.
What is your primary information specialty? Online resources and YA
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Continuing to make a difference and working my way toward library management
Fill in the blank: Bounce houses are my favorite!
Who are your heroes? My friends. They are the most inspirational group of people I know.
What’s your favorite place in the library? As a patron, the comfy chairs by our fireplace. As a librarian, the storytime area.
What author do you want to have dinner with? George R. R. Martin
What inspired you to become a librarian? My love of knowledge. Librarianship is one of the only professions where you get to learn something new every day and then share it with others.
Name something few colleagues know about you. I can’t stand white walls and have art covering nearly every surface of my home.
What is your favorite social media tool? Facebook, because it helps me learn names and stay connected with friends and colleagues around the world.
Nataly Blas
Position: Diversity Resident Librarian
Name of library: Walter Clinton Jackson Library, Greensboro, North Carolina
What are your goals as an Emerging Leader? To grow professionally, participate and network with other leaders in our profession, and have fun!
What is your primary information specialty? Business and social sciences
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? I hope to be working in an academic library helping students with their research and mentoring new librarians.
Fill in the blank: Chocolate-covered…anything is my favorite!
Who’s your hero? My mother. She is compassionate, independent, and awesome.
What’s your favorite place in the library? The reference desk
What author do you want to have dinner with? Laura Esquivel
What inspired you to become a librarian? I have been “working” in libraries since I was 6 years old; it is my home away from home.
Name something that few colleagues know about you. I am terrified of bugs.
What is your favorite social media tool? Facebook. It is a great way to stay connected with friends and family.
Sandy Brand
Position: Library Media Specialist
Name of library: Sparkman Middle School, Toney, Alabama.
What are your goals as an Emerging Leader? To meet and build relationships with librarians of different specialties and to be able to apply what I learn to both my role as a school librarian as well as our profession
What is your primary information specialty? Teaching 21st-century library and research skills
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Continuing to learn and grow in my role as a school media specialist
Fill in the blank: The Alabama Crimson Tide is my favorite!
Who’s your hero? My husband. He has such a heart for people in general and youth in particular. He would give everything he has to help someone hurting or in need.
What’s your favorite place in the library? The area where I teach. I love being able to interact with my students. There is nothing like the feeling I get when something “clicks” with a student.
What author do you want to have dinner with? Katie Alender
What inspired you to become a librarian? I always wanted to be a teacher and I love research and technology. Becoming a librarian seemed a perfect way to meld them together.
Name something that few colleagues know about you. I’ve been skydiving.
What is your favorite social media tool? Twitter, because I have a great PLN that I am constantly learning from!
Bretagne Byrd
Position: Bookmobile Librarian
Name of library: Lewis and Clark Library, Helena, Montana
What are your goals as an Emerging Leader? To connect with and learn from librarians who are doing great things all over this country
What is your primary information specialty? Outreach services
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Working in public library outreach
Fill in the blank: Bikes are my favorite!
What author do you want to have dinner with? Jane Yolan
What inspired you to become a librarian? Hiking the Appalachian Trail and the role that public libraries played in that adventure
Name something that few colleagues know about you. I never get tired of looking at maps.
What is your favorite social media tool? Instagram, because a picture is worth a thousand words.
Amber Conger
Position: Business and Job Center Librarian
Name of library: Richland Library, Columbia, South Carolina.
What are your goals as an Emerging Leader? I look forward to learning new approaches for becoming a more effective problem-solver in my library and professional associations.
What is your primary information specialty? Reference, workforce development, and programming
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? I hope to take on a greater role in mentoring and encouraging other librarians in their professional growth, throughout my library and beyond.
Fill in the blank: Board games are my favorite!
Who’s your hero? Tony Dungy, former coach of the Indianapolis Colts
What’s your favorite place in the library? I love to wander around the travel section and daydream about all the places I have yet to visit.
What author do you want to have dinner with? Bill Bryson
What inspired you to become a librarian? As a former social worker, I strive each day to improve others’ lives; however, as a librarian I get to have a lot more fun doing it!
Name something that few colleagues know about you. In my fantasy life, I’m a Hawaiian pro surfer who moonlights as a lounge singer.
What is your favorite social media tool? Twitter, because it provides a perfect blend of traditional news, useful library insights, quirky conversation, and cute cat photos.
Andrew Coulon
Position: E-Library Specialist
Name of library: Jacksonville (Fla.) Public Library
What are your goals as an Emerging Leader? To engage in conversation about the future of libraries in an information economy
What is your primary information specialty? Technology and web services
What’s your favorite place in the library? Nonfiction
What author do you want to have dinner with? Simon Reynolds
What inspired you to become a librarian? Libraries are in transition, and experimentation with methods and services is possible.
What is your favorite social media tool? Real life. It’s where things actually happen.
Sojourna J. Cunningham
Position: Diversity Resident Librarian/Research Assistant Professor
Name of library: University of Tennessee, Knoxville
What are your goals as an Emerging Leader? I want to gain experience in organizational leadership.
What is your primary information specialty? Library assessment and public services
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? I hope to be helping students in any way that I can.
Fill in the blank: Twix is my favorite! I’m an addict.
Who’s your hero? I love and am so proud of my mom.
What’s your favorite place in the library? I really like our reference desk. It is right smack in the middle of everything and you get to see everyone who comes in.
What author do you want to have dinner with? Judy Blume or Harper Lee.
What inspired you to become a librarian? The more I read about librarianship, the more fun it seemed. The combination of public service and academic research suits my skill set.
Name something that few colleagues know about you. I have mugs from all over the world. I collect specialty mugs from everywhere I travel.
What is your favorite social media tool? FaceTime. I’m really bad at texting, so I love the quick face-to-face interaction.
Kristen Curé
Position: Latino Liaison Librarian and Springfield Arts Commission Liaison
Name of library: Springfield (Ore.) Public Library
What are your goals as an Emerging Leader? I would like to become active on a national level while at the same time make more professional connections in my home state. Also, I hope to find ways that fit within our library’s limited resources for my colleagues and me in Springfield to stay connected with the national library community.
What is your primary information specialty? Latino and Spanish-language services, community outreach, and youth services (young adult)
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Still loving working in libraries, collaborating on innovative library/community projects (yet to be imagined), and as part of a group of professionals that continues to grow in diversity while recruiting and mentoring the next group of diverse librarians
Fill in the blank: Mountains and canyons are my favorite!
Who are your heroes? My great-grandmother and my grandmothers
What’s your favorite place in the library? The children’s desk and the Spanish-language section
What author do you want to have dinner with? Ursula K. Le Guin
What inspired you to become a librarian? My experiences in the Peace Corps
Name something that few colleagues know about you. I’m not good at keeping secrets about myself! They probably know most everything except, perhaps, what I ate for dinner last night.
Jonathan DaSo
Position: Library Specialist
Name of library: Oxford (Ga.) College Library
What are your goals as an Emerging Leader? To learn more about how ALA works behind the scenes, meet new people in the field, and work on a project that expands my horizons of what it means to work in a library
What is your primary information specialty? Foreign language, Spanish and Latin American literature, and Chinese literature
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Working as a teaching and reference librarian in an academic library
Fill in the blank: Korean BBQ is my favorite!
What’s your favorite place in the library? I like our circulation desk; it’s always bustling and I love the opportunity to meet and help students.
What author do you want to have dinner with? Banana Yoshimoto
What inspired you to become a librarian? The library staff I work with every day! I stumbled into this field, but the drive and passion my coworkers have to help students and support the institution inspired me to follow in their footsteps.
Name something that few colleagues know about you. I actually know how to use power tools.
What is your favorite social media tool? Twitter. I feel like it’s more straightforward than other social media tools.
Tegan Davis
Position: Youth and Spanish Services Librarian
Name of library: Park City (Utah) Library
What are your goals as an Emerging Leader? To become more involved in ALA, enhance my skills as an effective communicator, initiator and participant of collaborative projects, and increase my networking capabilities and opportunities
What is your primary information specialty? Early childhood literacy; youth and spanish Services
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? As an agent of change and a leader in my community by increasing my community’s ability to create, communicate, and collaborate locally and globally.
Fill in the blank: Stellar dendrite snowflakes are my favorite!
Who’s your hero? Finn the Human
What’s your favorite place in the library? The storytime room, where curiosity is inspired and imaginations are celebrated
What author do you want to have dinner with? Neil Gaiman
What inspired you to become a librarian? Carol Schroer, my childhood librarian and one of the best storytellers I know
Name something that few colleagues know about you: I soloed more than 1500 miles of the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route in a skirt prior to accepting my first library job. (I was on the trail when I was offered the position.)
What is your favorite social media tool? Diaspora* for its privacy policy
Kyle Denlinger
Position: eLearning Librarian
Name of library: Z. Smith Reynolds Library, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
What are your goals as an Emerging Leader? To learn and work alongside some inspiring peers
What is your primary information specialty? Instructional tech, online learning
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Teaching online for students studying abroad … on Mars
Fill in the blank: Zotero is my favorite!
Who’s your hero? Fred Rogers
What’s your favorite place in the library? Our preservation lab, which is home to our old-school letterpress
What author do you want to have dinner with? Anthony Bourdain
What inspired you to become a librarian? The amazing librarians at my undergrad, the University of Cincinnati, who showed me that libraries are people, not places
Name something that few colleagues know about you: I’ve never held a job that wasn’t in a library or in a hardware store. Reference interview skills come in handy with clueless DIYers.
What is your favorite social media tool? Google+, because there are some really smart, passionate people building awesome learning communities there
Katy DiVittorio
Position: Lead, Assessment, and Financial Systems
Name of library: Auraria Library at the University of Colorado, Denver.
What are your goals as an Emerging Leader? To connect with other passionate information professionals, grow as a leader, become more involved in ALA, and contribute to the profession
What is your primary information specialty? E-resources, serials, and assessment
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Continuing to make a positive contribution to my library, and implementing innovative ideas and services
Fill in the blank: Vegan restaurants are my favorite!
Who’s your hero? Animal rights activist Gene Bauer
What’s your favorite place in the library? Any quiet, comfy spot
What author do you want to have dinner with? L. M. Montgomery
What inspired you to become a librarian? My passion to organize and desire to collaborate
Name something that few colleagues know about you. I’m a Zumba fanatic.
What is your favorite social media tool? Blogs. I love the storytelling that goes along with blogging.
Beth Ebenstein Mulch
Position: Librarian
Name of library: T.C. Williams High School, Alexandria, Virginia
What are your goals as an Emerging Leader? To connect with other awesome librarians and share ideas
What is your primary information specialty? Teaching 21st-century library skills including digital literacy.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Running the show and taking it on the road
Fill in the blank: The Real Housewives (OC or Beverly Hills) are my favorite!
What’s your favorite place in the library? Somewhere in the fiction stacks, where great conversations always take place
What author do you want to have dinner with? Rainbow Rowell
What inspired you to become a librarian? I’ve always loved matching the right book to the right reader. It’s a great feeling when a student comes back to you seeking more recommendations.
Name something that few colleagues know about you. I was in the 2003 blackouts in Manhattan (August) and Italy (September).
What is your favorite social media tool? Twitter, because nothing else has the same functionality and ability to give you all of your news in one place. It’s a great way to stay connected.
Jenifer French
Position: Branch Manager
Name of library: Shreve Memorial Library, North Shreveport (La.) Branch
What are your goals as an Emerging Leader? To meet and work with like-minded librarians and to be inspired to do things outside of my comfort zone
What is your primary information specialty? Public libraries, management, and adult programming
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Winning the fight to keep libraries relevant in the digital age
Fill in the blank: Music festivals are my favorite!
Who are your heroes? My daughters, Audrey and Caroline
What’s your favorite place in the library? The service desk, because it’s the best place to talk to everyone who’s coming and going.
What author do you want to have dinner with? Cory Doctorow
Name something that few colleagues know about you. I really love the number 8.
What is your favorite social media tool? Tumblr, because it’s been such a welcoming place for librarians to interact
Annie Gaines
Position: Scholarly Communications Librarian
Name of library: University of Idaho Library, Moscow
What are your goals as an Emerging Leader? To learn from my peers, to engage in meaningful projects, and to be inspired
What is your primary information specialty? Scholarly communication
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Living somewhere in the Northwest, publishing my first graphic novel, hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, and providing innovative services in a library
Fill in the blank: Roller derby is my favorite!
Who’s your hero? Batman
What’s your favorite place in the library? The map room
What author do you want to have dinner with? Virginia Woolf or Jorge Luis Borges
What inspired you to become a librarian? The public library in my rural hometown, which served as a beacon of equal access amid tough circumstances
Name something that few colleagues know about you. I have a cat named after a space station.
What is your favorite social media tool? Tumblr. It is strange and magical and full of amazing.
Dolly Goyal
Position: Teen Services Librarian
Name of library: Belmont (Calif.) Library, San Mateo County
What are your goals as an Emerging Leader? To learn about other librarians in different aspects of the profession and to work together toward a common goal that will help improve the organization
What is your primary information specialty? Teen services, programming, and outreach
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Managing a branch in a diverse community, continuing to improve teen services through YALSA, and being more involved in ALA committees
Fill in the blank: Movies are my favorite!
Who’s your hero? My mom
What’s your favorite place in the library? The teen section (duh)
What inspired you to become a librarian? I wanted a career where I could help people of all ages and could also teach and inspire.
Name something that few colleagues know about you: I am half Ecuadorian, half Indian, and speak Spanish.
What is your favorite social media tool? Instagram. It’s fun and easy and great for connecting library programs and people.
Brian D. Hart
Position: Youth Services Librarian
Name of library: Charlotte (N.C.) Mecklenburg Library
What are your goals as an Emerging Leader? To continue to develop professionally and meet others in the field with similar interests and goals
What is your primary information specialty? Community engagement and youth services
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Alive and well – can’t ask for much more.
Fill in the blank: My wife and 3 children are my favorite!
Who’s your hero? My mother
What author do you want to have dinner with? Walter Dean Myers
What inspired you to become a librarian? The opportunity to help steer children in a positive direction at a crucial point in their development while also helping adults reach further to fulfill their potential
Name something that few colleagues know about you. When I was 8 years old, I was in the movie Separate, but Equal, starring Sidney Poitier.
Erin Huffman
Position: Youth Librarian
Name of library:: Westerville (Ohio) Public Library
What are your goals as an Emerging Leader? To meet new people, learn valuable leadership skills, and find my place to connect in ALA
What is your primary information specialty? Children’s and teen collections, and early literacy education
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Seeking opportunity for growth within youth services in a public library setting
Fill in the blank: My son is my favorite!
Who’s your hero? My parents—for working so hard, always putting others before themselves, and teaching me what matters most in life
What’s your favorite place in the library? The local history department. I love directing children and adults to this extensive resource in our library, especially when they haven’t yet discovered it!
What author do you want to have dinner with? Georgette Heyer
What inspired you to become a librarian? My hunger for information and education and desire to share my passion with others
What is your favorite social media tool? Pinterest. It has helped me connect with so many others in the profession, has broadened my programming ideas, and continually sparks creativity.
Ariana Hussain
Position: Children’s Librarian
Name of library: DC Public Library, Washington, D.C.
What are your goals as an Emerging Leader? To become more familiar with the various committees and groups within ALA, become an active participant and more effective leader, and to serve the library profession and our constituents
What is your primary information specialty? Children’s services, but I like reference services in most departments.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? To be honest, I’m not quite sure. I love children’s services, but I’d like to explore other areas in the field.
Fill in the blank: Family and friends are my favorite!
Who’s your hero? Barbara Gordon. It’s cliché, I know, but she is the ultimate librarian. As Batgirl she could hold her own with the boys, and after she was paralyzed she didn’t let it stop her, using her skills, resources, and intelligence to become Oracle, the ultimate information broker. She’s a great analogy for library transformation.
What’s your favorite place in the library? The children’s room, especially when it’s quiet, which is almost never
What author do you want to have dinner with? Patricia C. Wrede
What inspired you to become a librarian? During my undergraduate years, a T.A. told me to take inventory of what I did and spent my money on after graduation. When I found myself collecting rare and beloved children’s books, that’s when I knew.
Name something that few colleagues know about you. I went to Japan to see my favorite Japanese rock group play in a massive reunion concert.
What is your favorite social media tool? Pinterest. It’s almost always the best and quickest way to find crafts for children’s programs. Also, it’s great for brainstorming!
Bianna Ine Ryan
Position: Research Librarian
Name of library: John T. Hughes Library at the Defense Intelligence Agency/National Intelligence University, Washington, D.C.
What are your goals as an Emerging Leader? Networking is always a goal. Additionally, I would like to enhance my project management skills and work on endeavors outside of the “traditional” library realm.
What is your primary information specialty? Reference/research (intelligence studies)
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? I see myself working diligently to make meaningful contributions to the intelligence community.
Who’s your hero? My grandmothers are my heroes. My maternal grandmother was a community activist from her kitchen table. My paternal grandmother has a quiet strength that exudes authority without words.
What’s your favorite place in the library? I like being in the middle of the floor. This is where I feel like I’m in the thick of everything.
What author do you want to have dinner with? J. California Cooper
What inspired you to become a librarian? I majored in legal studies as an undergraduate. Our professors had a series of alumni come and speak to us about alternative legal professions. Law librarianship was one of them. I asked the law librarian if I could have a tour of her library, and the rest is history.
What is your favorite social media tool? Facebook. I love to travel, I’ve lived/made friends in 4 states, and I have family in 3 countries. This is how I stay connected with everyone.
Matt Krueger
Position: YA Services Librarian
Name of library: Irondequoit Public Library, Rochester, New York
What are your goals as an Emerging Leader? To learn how I can have the greatest positive impact on people’s lives through libraries. I’d also love to be on the Newbery Committee some day!
What is your primary information specialty? Children’s and young adult literature
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Writing a book (and working at the library)!
Fill in the blank: Mental Floss magazine is my favorite!
Who are your heroes? My parents
What’s your favorite place in the library? The graphic novels section
What authors do you want to have dinner with? Adam Rex Mac Barnett
What inspired you to become a librarian? Reading Roald Dahl’s The Witches to my 5th grade students.
What is your favorite social media tool? My big mouth, because I love talking to people!
Aaron LaFromboise
Position: Library Technician
Name of library: Medicine Spring Library, Browning, Montana
What are your goals as an Emerging Leader? To meet professionals outside of the college library realm and to be introduced to ALA
What is your primary information specialty? Reference
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Working at Medicine Spring Library and creating a space that is cherished and fostered by the community
Fill in the blank: Frogs are my favorite! Frogs!
Who are your heroes? My mom and my grandma are my heroes. They taught me to keep moving forward to make myself and my world a better place.
What’s your favorite place in the library? The archive room
What author do you want to have dinner with? Edwidge Danticat
What inspired you to become a librarian? I love learning and I love to help people. Working in the library has fulfilled both of these passions.
Name something that few colleagues know about you. I was the only girl in my father’s family until I was 24.
What is your favorite social media tool? Pinterest because it helps fulfill my creative side. I love seeing what other people are creating, and I love the idea of teaching others how to hone their skills.
Hanna Lee
Position: Youth Services Librarian
Name of library: Princeton (N.J.) Public Library
What are your goals as an Emerging Leader? To meet other passionate, diverse library folk and do something amazing!
What is your primary information specialty? Youth services
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Connecting youth of all ages to resources while continuing to challenge myself and learn new skills
Fill in the blank: Smiling is my favorite!
Who’s your hero? My grandmother. She’s pretty feisty.
What’s your favorite place in the library? The teen center when our knitting group is there—incredible view, comfy chairs, and great company.
What author do you want to have dinner with? Ronald Takaki
What inspired you to become a librarian? I couldn’t stop going to the library, so I figured I might as well try to get paid to do it—and I get to work with children and teens!
Name something that few colleagues know about you. I’m a pro at Wii tennis.
Rebecca Leonhard
Position: Director
Name of library: Leysin American School Libraries, Leysin, Switzerland
What are your goals as an Emerging Leader? To meet wonderful new librarians, improve my leadership and librarian skills, and to learn about the amazing things being done at other libraries
What is your primary information specialty? Access services and emerging technologies in libraries
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Working in a tenure-track position at a college or university library
Fill in the blank: Koalas and post-its are my favorite!
Who’s your hero? The Lorax
What author do you want to have dinner with? Hunter S. Thompson
What inspired you to become a librarian? I was intrigued by the idea of being surrounded by books all day, every day.
Name something that few colleagues know about you. I have a library card for the Szabó Ervin Library in Budapest, Hungary.
What is your favorite social media tool? Facebook. It’s a great way to keep up with family and long-lost friends.
Kate Leuschke Blinn
Position: Academic Outreach Librarian
Name of library: Lilly Library, Earlham College, Richmond, Indiana
What are your goals as an Emerging Leader? To get to know other young innovative colleagues and become more familiar with ALA
What is your primary information specialty? Research help and library instruction for the social sciences
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Still helping students and trying new instruction ideas.
Fill in the blank: Sunny days are my favorite!
Who’s your hero? Mr. Rogers.
What’s your favorite place in the library? I love our rocking chairs.
What author do you want to have dinner with? Alice Munro
What inspired you to become a librarian? I was inspired by how much I loved working with people when I worked in independent bookstores, and by my husband’s story about one of his college librarians who also taught classes and led study-abroad trips.
Name something that few colleagues know about you. I traveled to six continents before I was 30.
What is your favorite social media tool? I use Feedly to keep up with lots of different kinds of blogs.
María de Lurdy (Mari) Martínez Serrano
Position: Spanish Services Associate
Name of library: St. Helena (Calif.) Public Library
What are your goals as an Emerging Leader? To advocate for more multicultural diversity and cultural competency among the library workforce, collections, and programming
What is your primary information specialty? Creating Spanish/bilingual programs and Spanish collection development
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? With an MLIS and consulting libraries on Spanish materials collections and programming
Fill in the blank: Pop-up books are my favorite!
Who’s your hero? Pura Belpré
What author do you want to have dinner with? Mayra Santos-Febres, a Puerto Rican author with lots of great stories
What inspired you to become a librarian? The reactions of the children on my bilingual storytime. Their eyes sparkled! Librarians can change the world.
Name something that few colleagues know about you. My real name. Latinos always have long names. I shorten mine by age 5.
What is your favorite social media tool? Instagram. I’m obsessed with hashtags.
Joy Keller McGehee
Position: Science Outreach Librarian
Name of library: Benedictine University Library, Lisle, Illinois
What are your goals as an Emerging Leader? To hone my leadership skills relevant to LIS, become actively involved in LIS professional organizations, and get to know others who share my professional interests
What is your primary information specialty? Information research, instruction, reference, and user services, with a special interest in science, health sciences, foods, and nutrition
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? In a progressive environment, learning, growing, and applying my diverse transferable skill set from prior career and international experiences to create innovative information solutions to meet user needs.
Fill in the blank: Reading science and health non-fiction is my favorite!
Who’s your hero? Linda Smith, my advisor in the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign LEEP program
What’s your favorite place in the library? In a computer classroom helping students or faculty members discover and learn to navigate the wealth of available information resources
What author do you want to have dinner with? Must I choose just one? May I opt instead for a dinner party with Oliver Sacks, Mary Roach, and Michael Pollan?
What inspired you to become a librarian? Working alongside expert medical librarians/information researchers who supported my work in a prior career phase gave me a unique appreciation for the value of professional information services.
Name something that few colleagues know about you. I joke that I work in a library so I don’t feel compelled to take all the books home.
Laura Miller
Position: Freelance Library Marketer
City, State: Richmond, Virginia
What are your goals as an Emerging Leader? To gain library leadership experience as well as to network with up-and-coming library professionals
What is your primary information specialty? Marketing library resources
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Working in a special library that combines my two passions: resource management and animal rights
Fill in the blank: Soup days are my favorite!
Who’s your hero? Anyone capable of transforming their passion into a day job
What’s your favorite place in the library? The comfiest chair with the warmest tea and the biggest book
What author do you want to have dinner with? Jeanette Winterson
What inspired you to become a librarian? The feeling that I got when I walked into Hampton (Va.) Public Library as a child
Name something that few colleagues know about you. I do not like curry.
What is your favorite social media tool? Instagram—a picture’s worth a thousand words (and hashtags)
Annie Pho
Position: Academic Resident Librarian
Name of library: University of Illinois, Chicago
What are your goals as an Emerging Leader? To learn, network, and contribute to a great project
What is your primary information specialty? Library instruction
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Working as a coordinator of an instruction program in an academic library
Fill in the blank: Cats are my favorite! Cats.
Who’s your hero? Barbara Kruger
What’s your favorite place in the library? The classroom!
What author do you want to have dinner with? Douglas Coupland
What inspired you to become a librarian? I wanted to be able to help people research and learn.
Name something that few colleagues know about you. My life goal is to ride my bike across the country.
What is your favorite social media tool? Twitter. I’ve met some brilliant, fantastic librarians via Twitter.
Raymond Pun
Position: Reference and Research Services Librarian
Name of library: New York University Shanghai Library
What are your goals as an Emerging Leader? To learn how to collaborate with other Emerging Leaders from all over in designing and implementing helpful projects that may benefit the library community
What is your primary information specialty? Reference, research, and instructional services
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Working somewhere between China and the US. It’s unpredictable at the moment but exciting.
Fill in the blank: Free candy is my favorite!
Who’s your hero? Salman Khan, founder of Khan Academy
What’s your favorite place in the library? The research commons, a space designed for 21st century scholarship with advanced technology and equipment
What author do you want to have dinner with? Condoleeza Rice
What inspired you to become a librarian? The core mission of the library is inspiring to me: providing and supporting access to knowledge, strengthening literacy, building communities, and reducing the digital divide.
Name something that few colleagues know about you. I volunteered for NYPL’s Correctional Services program for a bit: I delivered books to inmates on Rikers Island. Eyeopening experience indeed.
What is your favorite social media tool? WhoTalking. It’s a great social media tool to search for trends, hot topics, and conversations about anything in real time.
Daniel Ransom
Position: Librarian for Research and Electronic Resources
Name of library: Cushing Library, Holy Names University, Oakland, California
What are your goals as an Emerging Leader? To roll up my sleeves on behalf of professional librarianship.
What is your primary information specialty? Instruction and reference
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Helping make information resources easier to use and more accessible, wherever I am.
Fill in the blank: Burritos and bikes are my favorite!
Who’s your hero? Callimachus. He organized a pretty great library in Alexandria.
What’s your favorite place in the library? The magic happens at the research help desk.
What author do you want to have dinner with? George R. R. Martin, as long as it’s not at a wedding.
What inspired you to become a librarian? A desire to help folks
Name something that few colleagues know about you. I spent more than a decade playing rugby, and I’ve got a few scars to show for it.
Ashley Rayner
Position: Library Technology Specialist
Name of library: A. C. Buehler Library, Elmhurst College, Elmhurst, Illinois
What are your goals as an Emerging Leader? To network with other new librarians and grow as both a leader and a member of the profession
What are your primary information specialties? Technology, information literacy, and social media
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? In a hybrid role of reference librarian and information technology specialist
Fill in the blank: Argyle is my favorite!
Who are your heroes? My mom was strong enough to survive cancer, and my dad taught me never to meet a stranger. I can’t choose between them.
What author do you want to have dinner with? Octavia Butler
What inspired you to become a librarian? Learning about the digital divide. Everyone needs access to computers, and technological literacy becomes more important every day.
Name something that few colleagues know about you. I lived in Santiago, Chile, for three months, and I am dying to go back.
What is your favorite social media tool? Twitter. I’ve met so many intelligent and hilarious people, and I learn something new every day.
Kara Riley
Position: Customer Development Librarian
Name of library: Florida Bureau of Braille and Talking Books Library, Daytona Beach, Florida
What are your goals as an Emerging Leader? To network with my peers and learn valuable strategies for problem solving
What is your primary information specialty? Accessible library services for individuals with disabilities
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? I would like to continue my work in libraries and have a successful career working with children and young adults
Fill in the blank: Milk glass vases are my favorite!
Who’s your hero? Katniss Everdeen
What’s your favorite place in the library? My favorite place in the library is the recording studio where I sometimes get to narrate books for young adults with visual, physical, or reading disabilities.
What author do you want to have dinner with? Bill Bryson
What inspired you to become a librarian? I have a passion for reading and books, and I am committed to ensuring that information is accessible to all.
Name something that few colleagues know about you. I backpacked through Europe as an undergrad.
What is your favorite social media tool? Facebook. It connects us with others in a way that takes the pressure off of communicating.
Tezeno Lynette Roberson
Position: Senior Librarian
Name of library: Dallas Public Library
What are your goals as an Emerging Leader? To continue to learn and grow as a librarian, interact with other librarians, and develop more leadership skills
What is your primary information specialty? Reference
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? As an assistant library director or director of a small system
Fill in the blank: My Dog J is my favorite!
Who’s your hero? My mother
What’s your favorite place in the library? At the circulation desk, helping patrons
What author do you want to have dinner with? Maya Angelou
What inspired you to become a librarian? All the other wonderful librarians who’ve helped me throughout my life
Name something that few colleagues know about you. I practice yoga and hope to become a yoga teacher someday.
What is your favorite social media tool? Facebook. I can’t seem to escape it.
Ben Rodriguez
Position: Technology Manager
Name of library: Allstate Investments, Chicago
What are your goals as an Emerging Leader? To expand my network amongst librarians, increase my number of friends in the field, and offer solutions to pressing problems
What is your primary information specialty? Investment data born digitally
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? I see myself as a director or vice president within the field of technology and employing a significant number of librarians in non-traditional librarian roles.
Fill in the blank: The 10th Doctor is my favorite!
Who’s your hero? Anyone who has succeeded in overcoming an internal/personal obstacle
What’s your favorite place in the library? The stacks
What author do you want to have dinner with? Robertson Davies
What inspired you to become a librarian? I enjoy improving processes and improving service delivery.
Name something that few colleagues know about you. I’m hypercompetitive but don’t mind losing.
What is your favorite social media tool? Twitter at conferences, but I am a fan of any social media tool that makes life easier.
Leila June Rod-Welch
Position: Outreach Services Librarian/Assistant Professor
Name of library: Rod Library, Cedar Falls, Iowa
What are your goals as an Emerging Leader? To meet others and become a better librarian
What is your primary information specialty? Library outreach and reference
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Working at Rod Library and making it a more sought-after destination
Fill in the blank: Wood carving is my favorite!
What’s your favorite place in the library? The tree room in our youth collection
What author do you want to have dinner with? Ferdowsi, the author of the Shahnameh, who lived in the 10th century and kept the Persian language alive. He is an inspiration for many Iranians.
Name something that few colleagues know about you. I enjoy painting and woodcarving.
Jillian Elyse Rudes
Position: Library Media Specialist
Name of library: The Aaron School, New York City, New York
What are your goals as an Emerging Leader? My goals as an Emerging Leader are to enhance my leadership skills, to support the AASL, and to network with librarians.
What is your primary information specialty? Young adult literature
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? In five years I see myself teaching in a school library, designing and building school libraries, and advocating for school libraries.
What’s your favorite place in the library? Sci-fi/fantasy
What author do you want to have dinner with? Anne Rice
What inspired you to become a librarian? My love of literature and teaching inspired me to become a librarian.
What is your favorite social media tool? My favorite social media tool is Twitter because I enjoy tweeting about the books that I am currently reading.
Soraya Silverman-Montano
Position: Youth Services Librarian
Name of library: Summerlin Library, Las Vegas, Nevada
What are your goals as an Emerging Leader? To gain new insights, learn leadership skills, and network with peers and professionals, and become more heavily involved with ALA
What is your primary information specialty? Youth services
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Hopefully an assistant branch manager, leading to a branch manager and eventual youth services coordinator
Fill in the blank: The Princess Bride is my favorite videogame!
Who’s your hero? My mom. She’s the most incredible person in the world.
What author do you want to have dinner with? Scott Westerfeld or Mo Willems
What inspired you to become a librarian? My love of reading and how beneficial it was for me growing up
Name something that few colleagues know about you. I am an avid manga/anime/comic/videogame fan and enjoy cosplaying at conventions.
What is your favorite social media tool? Pinterest, because there are so many great ideas that I can pull from it.
Kai Alexis Smith
Position: Adjunct Reference Librarian
Name of library: CUNY Graduate Center, New York City
What are your goals as an Emerging Leader? To refine my leadership and project management skills while broadening my horizons through learning from new relationships with colleagues, and be more active in ALA and mentoring
What is your primary information specialty? Reference services with a subject specialty in art, art history, and architecture, and an interest in the digital humanities
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? In a leadership position within my institution and in national and local library associations
Fill in the blank: Anything with dark chocolate in it is my favorite!
Who’s your hero? My father. He immigrated to this country with very little and achieved a lot.
What’s your favorite place in the library? The reference desk
What authors do you want to have dinner with? Louisa May Alcott, Oprah, and Alice Walker
Name something that few colleagues know about you. As a child, I lived on Dewey Street.
What is your favorite social media tool? Skype. I have family and friends scattered all over the world and found it easier to stay in touch this way.
Ashley Smolinski
Position: MSIS Graduate Student at SUNY University, Albany, New York
What are your goals as an Emerging Leader? To make a difference, to meet great people, and to bring something creative and new to the table
What is your primary information specialty? Information literacy instruction and instructional design
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? I’d like to teach information literacy to undergraduates while writing my first children’s book.
Fill in the blank: Dark chocolate is my favorite!
Who’s your hero? My husband, Jason
What’s your favorite place in the library? The children’s section
What author do you want to have dinner with? Kate DiCamillo
What inspired you to become a librarian? The profession combines the best aspects of teaching, technology, and literature.
Name something that few colleagues know about you. I love to write music and play piano and guitar.
What is your favorite social media tool? Pinterest! It helps me to collect my ideas and think creatively.
Morgan Sohl
Position: Reference Librarian
Name of library: Driftwood Public Library, Lincoln City, Oregon
What are your goals as an Emerging Leader? To get more experience in leadership and management and get involved in professional organizations to advocate for the importance of libraries
What is your primary information specialty? Reference, reader’s advisory, cataloging, and collection development
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Working in a leadership role in a public library and continuing to expand service to my community
Fill in the blank: Tina Fey and Amy Poehler are my favorite!
Who are your heroes? My two moms. They are smart, accomplished, interesting, and kind.
What’s your favorite place in the library? The reference desk. I like helping patrons find the perfect book or accessing the information they are searching for.
What authors do you want to have dinner with? David Sedaris or Sarah Vowell
What inspired you to become a librarian? I was interested in librarianship because it combines my love of books, service, and community.
Name something that few colleagues know about you. I have learning disabilities, including dyslexia, and didn’t learn to read until I was 11 years old. Reading opened up the world to me.
What are your favorite social media tools? Facebook and Pinterest. Facebook for its ability to connect me with friends and family who live far away, and Pinterest for inspiring me to be more creative in my life.
Kelly Stade
Position: Senior Librarian
Name of library: Hennepin County Library, St. Louis Park (Minn.) Library
What are your goals as an Emerging Leader? To engage with and be inspired by library leaders from across the country
What is your primary information specialty? Youth services and community connections
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Managing a Hennepin County Library branch library and building community and library support
Fill in the blank: Summer is my favorite!
What’s your favorite place in the library? The children’s area
What author do you want to have dinner with? Sophie Kinsella
What inspired you to become a librarian? It is energizing to connect people to ideas, programs, and the community to spark learning and creativity.
Name something that few colleagues know about you. I love cooking and baking.
What is your favorite social media tool? Instagram. It is so much fun to share glimpses of my life with others and see the artistic pictures others share in return.
Jean Stock
Position: Library Media Specialist
Name of library: Larchmont Elementary Library, Mount Laurel, New Jersey
What are your goals as an Emerging Leader? To learn how to assemble and motivate a team that can develop a great idea and take it from dream to reality
What is your primary information specialty? Children’s services
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? I hope to become an accomplished communicator, collaborator, and curator.
Who’s your hero? My father, who was always optimistic no matter what the situation
What’s your favorite place in the library? On the floor in front of a bookshelf where I can help students discover books they want to read
What author do you want to have dinner with? Malcolm Gladwell
What inspired you to become a librarian? The potential, through the library, to give all children the chance to read, explore, and create
Name something that few colleagues know about you. Few colleagues know that I spent a summer researching stream ecology.
What is your favorite social media tool? Pinterest. I can always find a pin that inspires me to try something new professionally and personally.
Sam Suber
Position: Cataloging and Metadata Specialist
Name of library: Montana State Library, Helena
What are your goals as an Emerging Leader? To gain better communication skills to lead, to understand organizational behavior, and to tackle project management
What is your primary information specialty? Web archiving, digital libraries, and metadata
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Working in reference and being active in professional library organizations
Fill in the blank: The Pixies are my favorite!
Who are your heroes? My parents!
What’s your favorite place in the library? The public computer area
What author do you want to have dinner with? Cormac McCarthy
What inspired you to become a librarian? I enjoy the blend of technology and serving the public. Also, I was initially interested in government libraries and classified information.
Name something that few colleagues know about you. I’m fascinated with giant robots!
What is your favorite social media tool? Twitter. It’s simple, and I can meet people a lot easier.
Lindsey Taggart
Position: Library Assistant
Name of library: Francis D. Jones Library, Forest Institute of Professional Psychology, Springfield, Missouri
What are your goals as an Emerging Leader? To meet some awesome librarians and gain more knowledge about current issues in our field
What is your primary information specialty? Jack of most trades
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Finding ways for libraries and librarians to work toward social justice
Fill in the blank: Thrifting is my favorite!
Who’s your hero? My sister, Jessica. She’s a caring, funny, and dedicated nurse practitioner.
What’s your favorite place in the library? The oversize section
What inspired you to become a librarian? I was a library student worker as an undergrad. I felt very lucky to work with some brilliant, kind librarians and staff members.
Name something that few colleagues know about you. Last year I was a referee in the Minnesota Arm Wrestling League for Ladies (MAWLL).
What is your favorite social media tool? Twitter, for jokes and interesting links.
Kate Tkacik
Position: Research Analyst/Information Specialist
Library name: BMO Business Research Group, Chicago, Illinois
What are your goals as an Emerging Leader? To make meaningful connections and do good work
What is your primary information specialty? Business reference
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? In a reference and instruction position in an academic library
Fill in the blank: Brunch is my favorite!
Who’s your hero? My father, for his infinite creativity and unguarded optimism
What’s your favorite place in the library? Anywhere I can kick my shoes off unnoticed
What author do you want to have dinner with? Jane Austen
What inspired you to become a librarian? Librarianship’s equal opportunity for learning and service
What is your favorite social media tool? Tumblr. It’s the best baby that Twitter and WordPress didn’t know they had.
Monnee Tong
Position: Librarian
Name of library: San Diego Public Library
What are your goals as an Emerging Leader? To be a more informed and articulate advocate for libraries and librarians, to learn more about being a leader, and to meet lots of intelligent and inspiring professionals!
What is your primary information specialty? Art, music, and recreation (the 700s!)
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? I see myself becoming a leader—as a mentor, manager, and activist in public librarianship.
Fill in the blank: San Diego sunsets are my favorite!
Who are your heroes? My parents. They immigrated to the US with few resources and no English-language skills, and they worked hard to support me and my sisters every step of the way.
What’s your favorite place in the library? The majestic view of the front lobby from the escalator
What author do you want to have dinner with? Paula Yoo, whose book Good Enough reminds me so much of myself as a teenager
What inspired you to become a librarian? Free access for all! I was inspired by a library’s role in providing free access to information, learning, culture, and entertainment.
Name something that few colleagues know about you. My name means “dream” in Chinese.
What is your favorite social media tool? Instagram, because I used to edit my photos on my home computer. Now I can do it on the go with a few swipes.
Erica Winter Tyler
Position: Circulation Assistant
Name of library: Charlotte (N.C.) School of Law
What are your goals as an Emerging Leader? To build a strong network with other LIS students and professionals and learn more about the structure of the ALA
What is your primary information specialty? Emerging technologies
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? I hope to be working with digital content management. I would love to work with archival materials. Or ruling the world from a small Polynesian island with my army of retro-robots that run on discarded library catalog cards.
Fill in the blank: Cheesy pop culture references are my favorite!
Who’s your hero? Ruth Benedict. She was instrumental in paving the way for female anthropologists.
What’s your favorite place in the library? The mythology and folklore section
What inspired you to become a librarian? Like so many others, I am an avid reader and grew up going to the library every weekend.
Name something that few colleagues know about you. I wish I had Christopher Walken’s voice for a day. I can just imagine him explaining how to reserve a book online.
What is your favorite social media tool? Skype! It allows me to stay connected with friends in various countries for free. That’s awesome.
Angela Van Batavia
Position: Library Media Specialist
Name of library: English Landing Elementary School Library, Kansas City, Missouri
What are your goals as an Emerging Leader? To expand my library knowledge base, build a network of professional colleagues, and gain a better understanding of the similarities and differences between public and school librarians
What is your primary information specialty? Implementation and use of educational online resources
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Working with students in online research and computer literacy
Fill in the blank: Coffee, running, and Burt’s Bees chapstick are my favorite!
Who’s your hero? Margaret Sanger
What author do you want to have dinner with? Sherman Alexie
What inspired you to become a librarian? Books that I used to read when I was younger that made me forget about the things I didn’t have
Name something that few colleagues know about you. I want to twirl batons for the Oklahoma Sooners marching band at halftime of one of their home football games while wearing a handmade, crystal-encrusted leotard.
What is your favorite social media tool? Twitter. I am guaranteed to learn something new that I can implement in my library.
Shawn Walsh
Position: Emerging Services and Technologies Librarian
Name of library: Madison (Ohio) Public Library
What are your goals as an Emerging Leader? To network and become more active in ALA
What is your primary information specialty? Geek culture
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? As a library director or department head
Fill in the blank: Kimchi is my favorite!
Who’s your hero? Fred Rogers, he made everyone his neighbor!
What’s your favorite place in the library? The teen/tween section
What author do you want to have dinner with? Edgar Rice Burroughs
What inspired you to become a librarian? Where else but a library can all my different interests be helpful to others?
Name something that few colleagues know about you. I hate Oreos.
What is your favorite social media tool? Facebook. How else would I know when my friends’ and family’s birthdays are?
Zara Wilkinson
Position: Reference and Instruction Librarian
Name of library: Paul Robeson Library, Rutgers University, Camden, New Jersey
What are your goals as an Emerging Leader? To meet other new professionals and discover opportunities to become involved in ALA and ACRL
What is your primary information specialty? Reference, instruction, and outreach
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Continuing to help the students at Rutgers-Camden develop their research skills, and working with colleagues to take advantage of emerging technologies and develop new outreach initiatives
Fill in the blank: Sci-fi is my favorite!
What’s your favorite place in the library? The reference desk
What inspired you to become a librarian? As a college writing tutor, I saw how important one-on-one instruction was to undergraduate students.
Name something that few colleagues know about you. I have seen more than 10 different film adaptations of Hamlet, including one in Russian and one made in 1921.
Lacy S. Wolfe
Position: Reference/Circulation Librarian and Assistant Professor
Name of library: Riley-Hickingbotham Library, Ouachita Baptist University, Arkadelphia, Arkansas
What are your goals as an Emerging Leader? To network and participate in the national library conversation
What is your primary information specialty? Reference and library instruction
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Working in an academic library, perhaps more with scholarly communications
Fill in the blank: Corgis are my favorite!
What author do you want to have dinner with? Margaret Atwood
What inspired you to become a librarian? My need to immerse myself in the written word.=
Name something that few colleagues know about you. I waited in line overnight at the Apple Store to buy an iPad 2.
What is your favorite social media tool? Twitter. It’s the most effective way of communicating with students on our campus.
Sara Zettervall
Position: Associate to the University Librarian
Name of library: University of Minnesota Libraries, Minneapolis
City, State: Minneapolis, Minnesota
What are your goals as an Emerging Leader? To connect with librarians of all backgrounds who are passionate about their work
What is your primary information specialty? Whole person librarianship
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Catalyzing librarians to make dynamic connections with one another and their communities to serve patrons holistically throughout their lives
Fill in the blank: Pizza is my favorite!
Who’s your hero? Karen Cadigan (she’s not a name anyone would know, but she rules)
What author do you want to have dinner with? Blake Charlton
What inspired you to become a librarian? How much I relied on my public library when I was fresh out of college and broke
Name something that few colleagues know about you. I’ve met all the members of U2.
What is your favorite social media tool? I’m addicted to the instant gratification of Facebook likes.
