Bethlehem resident: 7 years
Occupation
Consultant
Community service/volunteer work
Since moving to the Albany area I have had the pleasure of working with and supporting the following organizations:
• FOCUS Churches Food Pantry
• Capital Roots
• Grassroots Givers
• Pine Hollow Arboretum
Other pertinent details
I am the parent of two small children who absolutely love the reading and the library. My husband I have had the pleasure of living in Delmar since 2015 and love walking into the Four Corners with our dogs and kids!
What do you consider your most meaningful career accomplishment?
My most meaningful career accomplishment to date was working with a group of wonderful colleagues to publish a paper in the Journal of Injury Epidemiology. I have also had the privilege of presenting my work at national conferences including “Safe States” and “Livesavers.”
What skills would you bring to your tenure on the board?
I love event planning (both personally and professionally). I appreciate a data driven approach and have experience developing, distributing, and analyzing surveys, utilizing results to inform program development. Additionally, I have experience with HTML coding, Word Press, as well as building and maintaining websites.
What are your goals as a library board member?
My goals as a library board member are to accurately represent the interests of the community and to facilitate the delivery of quality programs and services.
Views about libraries
How does a library best serve its community?
I think a public library best serves it community by giving community members opportunities to make their voices heard and their priorities and wishes actualized whenever possible.
What are the most important issues facing public libraries today?
I believe the most important challenges facing public libraries today are similar to issues we all face and must work to help address: mistrust in the government and each other, decline in civility and community engagement, and the erosion of trust in objective information.
How are public libraries changing? How can a library board expedite these changes?
I think public libraries are evolving to be community hubs, where people can gather to learn and create together. I think these changes can be expedited by making the Library as accessible as possible to all people, as well as facilitating the appreciation of everyone’s lived experiences, regardless of how different.
How have libraries influenced your life?
Libraries have always been special to me. I remember being thrilled helping my mom paint library shelves for our school and the joy I felt each time my parents or grandparents would bring me to the library to pick out books of my own. It is one of my proudest parenting moments to see my children share this enthusiasm.
What do you like best about the BPL?
I love all of the different programs and services that the library works to provide, specifically the events for parents and children, the Library of Things, and the different memberships available to borrow.
What is your vision for the future of this library?
My vision for the future of the library is for it to continue and expand its role as a community gathering place, a steadfast beacon of learning, light, and love for people in world where it is all too easy to be overcome by ignorance, darkness, and fear.