The Participants & Mentors
William Adamczyk, Thomas Crane Public Library, Quincy
William Adamczyk has been working in libraries since his teenage days as a page
in his hometown of Meriden, CT. He is presently the Circulation Supervisor and
Reader's Advisor at the Thomas Crane Public Library in Quincy, MA, where he has
been working for almost four years. In addition to the numerous day to day
circulation issues, Will is actively involved with library outreach to homebound
patrons, an online reader's advisory service, and library orientation tours.
Will received his B.A. in Classics from The College of the Holy Cross and his
M.L.S. from Southern Connecticut State University.
Will is an avid reader of both fiction and non-fiction. He particularly enjoys
contemporary international fiction and fiction in translation. He is somewhat of
a book snob and not ashamed of it. In addition to his passion for books, Will
has a slight affinity for the Red Sox.
In addition to professional library experience, Will is an elected member of the
Board of Trustees of the Abington Public Library.
Will lives on the South Shore, in Abington, MA, with his wife Amanda, daughter
Clare (5), and son Liam (4).
Anna Brandenburg, Springfield City Library
Anna Brandenburg currently lives and works in Downtown Springfield, where she been in the Adult Services Dept. at the City Library for about 4 years. Anna is active in her neighborhood association and enjoys walking to work. Before Springfield, she lived in Portland, Maine, where she worked part-time at the Maine Women Writers Collection and commuted back and forth to Simmons for her Library Degree. She has also lived in Somerville and Lexington Mass, Brooklyn NY, Minnesota (Carleton College), and Berlin, Germany.
Barbara Bryant, Whitman Public Library
Barbara Bryant is a history major who never expected to be a librarian but has
been awed by libraries since childhood. Growing up using the conservative Dedham
Public Library, Barbara spent hours reading hard-boiled mysteries and suspect
non-fiction in the stacks because the librarians felt she was too young to be
exposed to such unsavory things. She learned how to read very fast so she could
finish books before she went home.
Barbara is currently the Circulation Supervisor at the Whitman Public Library;
she also is responsible for all adult A/V and large print acquisitions, runs the
Home Delivery program at the library, trains staff and is a member of the
Circulation Committee of the Old Colony Library Network.
Now living in Foxboro with a husband and twin sons, Barbara still reads in all
genres but is allowed to take the books home. She loves to walk and garden and
is an enthusiastic amateur etymologist, which is a pompous way of saying she
likes words.
Ellen Carey, Greenfield Community College
Ellen Carey is Co-Coordinator of the Greenfield Community College Library, where
she started as the sole member of the reference and instruction "department" in
2005. As Co-Coordinator, one of Ellen's major goals is to creatively rearrange
the duties of existing staff in order to make their jobs more interesting and
deliver services (especially information literacy instruction) more effectively.
Besides her passion for instruction, Ellen's interests include collection
development, human computer interaction and everything 2.0, library space
design, and web design.
Ellen completed her BA at Mount Holyoke College in Critical Social Thought, 18
years and several careers after starting college at Wellesley. It took her
another two years to realize that librarianship was the career that had been
tracking her down all her life. After receiving her MSLIS from Simmons College
at the GSLIS West campus, she worked briefly as a Reference Librarian at Mount
Holyoke before accepting her job at GCC.
Outside of libraryland, Ellen's interests include Buddhism, dance,
rollerblading, and poetry, among many other things. She recently created a
website (www.buddhabrarian.org) and is beginning to dip her toe in the blogging
pool. She lives in Northampton, Massachusetts with her two cats and lots of
shoes.
Robin Ciccetti, Concord-Carlisle High School
Robin Cicchetti has just been appointed as librarian of the Concord-Carlisle High School Library, after serving for eight years as librarian of the Willard Elementary School, in Concord. Robin is a certified trainer in the nationally recognized iSafe (Internet Safety) curriculum, and has a special interest in media literacy and integration of technology and evaluative skills into library curriculum. Currently, she serves on the Executive Board of the Massachusetts School Library Association as the Co-Director of the Metrowest Region.
Paige Eaton Davis, Minuteman Library Network
Paige Eaton Davis is the Assistant User Services Librarian at the Minuteman
Library Network (MLN) where she provides support to MLN member librarians for
the circulation system, online catalog, and electronic databases. She is also
the MLN webmaster and a liaison for numerous MLN committees. Since starting as a
page (pun intended, she supposes) at the Rockport Public Library at the age of
13, Paige has worked in both public and academic libraries as well as for the
library software vendor Ex Libris.
Paige holds a BA in Psychology from Regis College, a M.Ed. in Counseling and
Human Development from Boston University and an MSLIS from Simmons College. Her
interests include softball, flag football, basketball, and anything else where
you keep score.
Paige lives with her partner in Jamaica Plain and can (too often) be found at
the ice cream hangout, JP Licks. She also thinks that writing about herself in
the third person is very strange.
Robin Demas, Concord Free Public Library
Robin Demas is the Circulation Supervisor at the Concord Free Public Library. Except for a brief stint in New York City right out of college, Robin moved in to the Concord Library and never looked back. It’s now 22 years later and she’s still wondering where the time went. Robin relishes the responsibilities of her position in the library and is also an active participant on various Minuteman Library Network committees and task forces. In her spare time (?) she is a (very part time) Library Assistant at Concord Academy and also at the Somerville Public Library.
She lives in Concord with her husband Barry and 18 year old daughter Sheryl. She also has a 25 year old daughter, Courtney and a 20 year old step-daughter, Carol.
Danielle Dreger, Boston Public Library
Danielle Dreger is a Young Adult Librarian for the Boston Public Library at Copley Square. A native Floridian, Danielle began her career in libraries at the age of 15 working as a library aide for the Children's Department of the Largo Public Library in Largo Florida. She graduated from the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, Florida in 2003 with a Bachelor's Degree in English. Danielle attended library school at Simmons College and graduated in summer 2004. During her time at Simmons she worked part time as a Young Adult Librarian for the Watertown Public Library. After graduation she continued her work in Watertown and worked part time as Reference Librarian for the Belmont Public Library. In May 2006 she was hired by the Boston Public Library. She was nominated for the New York Times Librarian of the Year in 2006. She currently serves on YALSA's Selected DVD and Videos Committee and the Outreach to YA's with Special Needs Committee. Danielle is known for her programs, particularly her Anti-Valentine's Day Party and video game nights, for her Reader's Advisory skills, and until recently, her pink hair. She was recently interviewed by Publisher's Weekly about the Gossip Girls series. She is an avid reader of YA literature, "chick-lit," and biographies. In her spare time Danielle trains for half marathons, eats sushi, writes for a cooking blog, and plays a mean game of Scrabble. Danielle lives in Beacon Hill with her two cats.
Sarah Heartt, Student, Simmons College
Sarah Heartt is about half way through her course work in the School Library
Teacher Program at Simmons GSLIS. A lot of people (not least Sarah's parents)
are wondering how the heck she got invited to an institute for Library Leaders
given that she is just a graduate student in "Library School." It could have
something to do with the fact that Sarah runs a music and performing arts center
in the North End of Boston (of which she is a co-founder), that she has, over
the years, designed a number of innovative history, art, and literacy projects
and programs for children at the Nazzaro Community Center (also North End,
Boston), or that she has about 19 years of information management experience in
the financial services industry (1987-2006).
Sarah is interested in the Mass. Public School appetite for virtual learning
environments (including off-the-shelf computer games) and in finding meaningful
ways for professional librarians to serve families with one or more incarcerated
parents.
Deborah Kelsey, Morse Institute Library, Natick
Deborah Kelsey is the supervisor of reference services at the Morse Institute
Library in Natick. She has been a public librarian serving children, young
adults, and adults and working in computer technology, literacy programs,
circulation and archives for the last fifteen years. She received her BA in
psychology from the University of Connecticut and MLIS with a concentration in
archives management from Simmons College.
Deborah lives in Wayland with her dog, Rowan, two cats, Harold and Maude, and
younger daughter, Bea, a day student at The Cambridge School of Weston. Her
older daughter, Vera, attends Sarah Lawrence College. She teaches a
comprehensive sexuality education course to middle school youth, mentors
prisoner scholars, and engages in nonviolent action for peace and justice.
Jennifer Koerber, Boston Public Library
Jennifer Koerber is currently a reference librarian at the Honan-Allston Branch of the Boston Public Library; she has also been a children's librarian at this and at another branch. Though a reluctant convert to the computer-centric world, Jennifer considers herself an "early majority" player in the diffusion of Web 2.0 technologies. She has been online for nearly fourteen years and has helped patrons, colleagues and family members navigate the internets and the Web for nearly as long.
In March, she presented a workshop about online outreach and publicity for
libraries for the Boston Regional Library System. Jennifer holds a BA in English
and a BS in Film from Boston University, and an MSLIS from Simmons College. She
can be found online at
eclecticlibrary.blogspot.com.
Stephanie Legg, Stoughton Public Library
Stephanie received her BA from Kean University in NJ and her MS from
the Graduate School of Information and Library Science at Simmons College. She
is the Young Adult/Automated Services Librarian for the Stoughton Public
Library, and has worked as a reference librarian for the Thomas Crane Public
Library in Quincy and Holmes Public Library in Halifax. She is a New York City
native with a background in trading and asset management, but a dream of working
with children in the fields of literature and communications. She lives in
Kingston with her husband and 7-year old son.
Stephanie Lewis, Boston Public Library
Stephanie Lewis is the Cartographic Materials Cataloger for the Norman B.
Leventhal Map Center at the Boston Public Library. She received her B.A. in Art
History from UMass Amherst in 2003 and her MLS from Simmons College in 2005.
Stephanie has experience working in the Rare Books and Manuscripts Dept. of the
Boston Public Library, The Baker Library at Harvard Business School and the
Massachusetts Historical Society. Currently she works at cataloging all kinds of
cartographic materials and is adding metadata daily to the Map Center website (maps.bpl.org).
Stephanie's interests include music, calligraphy, and the Red Sox.
Elise MacLennan, Wellesley Free Library, Mentor
Elise MacLennan is a Boston-area native who began working in libraries at age 14. She received her BA in English and Communications from North Adams State College (now MCLA) and her MLS from the Graduate School of Library and Information Science at the University of Rhode Island. Elise has worked in public, academic and special libraries, primarily administrating public service departments in municipal libraries. She is currently Assistant Director for Library Services at the Wellesley Free Library.
Nancy Menard, Wilbraham Public Library
Nancy Menard has been the assistant director at Wilbraham Public Library since
2003. She received her BA in criminology from the University of Southern Maine
and earned her MLS from Simmons College. Prior to working in Wilbraham, she
worked at Weston Public Library as a Reference/Children’s Librarian. Prior to
her career change, she was enlisted in the United States Coast Guard serving as
a machinery technician and then as an environmental specialist.
She lives in Charlton with her husband, Peter, three greyhounds, and a cat.
Barbara Merolli, Anna Maria College & College of the Holy Cross
Barbara Merolli is a part-time reference librarian at Anna Maria College Mondor Eagen Library in Paxton, and a part-time evening/weekend supervisor and on-call reference librarian at The College of the Holy Cross Dinand Library. Barbara embarked upon the library profession as a second career two years ago after receiving an MLIS degree from the University of Rhode Island. Her first career consisted of various management jobs at Verizon, where she worked for 32 years, retiring in 2006. Her jobs spanned various departments including Sales, Marketing, Human Resources, Finance, Engineering, Legal and Operations. Her responsibilities included training, coordinating with IT personnel for computer services, analyzing financial reports, planning and executing special events, and preparing written and verbal communications for executives.
Barbara grew up in Western Massachusetts, has lived in Central Massachusetts her adult life, and has worked in numerous cities and town in Eastern Massachusetts. She has an AS in Journalism from Becker College, a BA in Business Administration from Worcester State College and an MBA from Nichols College.
Barbara toyed with the idea of becoming a librarian since third grade when her teacher told her that she should become a librarian. Barbara recently found her second grade report card, in which that teacher wrote, “Barbara’s willingness to contribute and do research is very much appreciated.” Seems like the librarian career was just destined to happen, no matter how long it took!
Richard Poisson, MITRE
Corporation
Richard Poisson is currently a Senior Information Analyst and serves as assistant manager for digital library licensing for the corporate information center of the MITRE Corporation in Bedford. Richard has a B.A. from St. Anselm College, a M.M.A. from the University of Rhode Island, and his MLS from Simmons College. With a long career in various library services, he is currently a member of the Special Library Association, the American Library Association and the Massachusetts Library Association. Professional interests include blogs, wikis, information management, database management, and search technologies, among others.
Anna Popp, West Springfield Public Library
Anna received a Bachelor's degree in English from Mount Holyoke College in 1995.
After a tour of duty in the Marketing & Public Relations field, she decided to
pursue a career in Library Science. The West Springfield Public Library was kind
enough to give her a job, and then an even better job when she began attending
Simmons GSLIS. She received her MLS in December 0f 2005, and is still seeking a
professional position (she continues to hope that WSPL will offer her yet
another awesome position).
Despite her debilitating fear that she will be pigeonholed as a "PR Librarian"
(she loves reference work and interacting with the public) she has been
appointed to the MBLC PR Advisory Committee. She also serves on the C/WMars
Overdrive Selection Committee.
This dreadlocked librarian's goals include world domination and letting people
know that libraries are cool. Which are frankly, a stretch for a mere Secretary,
but a girl's gotta have goals. Anna's irreverent sense of humor is a symptom of
her background in theater and sketch comedy. She and her partner gleefully
expect their first child in 2008.
Lisa Prolman, Greenfield Public Library
Lisa Prolman has been at the Greenfield Public Library for just over ten years.
She started pre-MLS as the Assistant Children's Librarian, moved to Reference as
the Assistant Reference Librarian and then as Technology and Information
Services Librarian (in charge of the library's three computer networks) and was
just appointed as the library's Assistant Director. Much has changed at the GPL
over the years. Internet computers have blossomed in places where they initially
didn't exist, a reservation system came in to handle the crowds wanting to use
the Internet computers, and a wireless network was installed to help with the
overflow. Lisa redesigned the webpage to make it more user-friendly (she calls
it 'How I Spent My Summer Vacation') and created a Graphic Novel collection that
circulates all over the state.
Lisa received her BA from UMASS Amherst in English in 1990, an MA in Children's
Literature from Simmons College in 1991, and her MLIS from Simmons College in
January 2003. She lives in South Deerfield with her husband Mark, their son Ben
(who completed one semester of MLIS coursework with his mommy and now helps
maintain the library's server), and their two cats. In her spare time (ha, ha)
she serves as the treasurer of Beit Ahavah, the Reform Synagogue of Greater
Northampton. She reads every chance she gets and has often been found at the top
of the library's stairs reading from the books on the put-away shelves.
Joseph Rodio, South Hadley Public Library, Mentor
Joseph Rodio is the Director of the South Hadley Public Library. He received his BA in History from Clark University and an MLS from the University of Maryland at College Park. His previous libraries include the Maryland State Highway Administration, Kimball Public Library (Atkinson, NH), Wilbraham Public Library, and Chester C. Corbin Public Library (Webster, MA).
Christine Schonhart, Boston Public Library
Christine Schonhart is currently a Reference Librarian in the General Reference Department of the Boston Public Library. She received her undergraduate degree from the State University of New York at Fredonia and completed her MLS at the University of Buffalo. Christine has worked as reference librarian with The New York Public Library and the University of Minnesota, and as a children’s librarian at Boston Public Library. Interests include the music of The Smiths and Morrissey, reading rock and roll biographies, and popular culture."
Sara Slymon, Boston Public Library
Sara Slymon is currently the Branch Librarian for the Mattapan Branch of the
Boston Public Library. She received her MLS from Rutgers University. She has
worked at Bear Stearns in the Investment Banking division and helped pioneer
their Investment Banking Information Center, the first all digital library at
the firm. She also piloted the first telecommuting program at Bear Stearns.
Prior to Bear Stearns, Sara worked at the Boston Public Library as a reference
librarian in the Humanities Department
Sara is currently excited about the construction of the new Mattapan Branch
Library. The new branch is slated to open in late 2008 and will be almost 4
times the size of the current branch.
Sara enjoys live music and travel and spending time at home with her husband and
two small children. And, of course, reading.
Linda Stetson, Millis Public Library, Mentor
Linda Stetson has been a librarian for 20 years. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Colorado, and her Masters of Library Science degree from Indiana University.
Her background includes 6 years at the Cheyenne, WY public library as head of the reference department; 10 years in Atlanta as director of the Georgia Library for Accessible Services (the state’s library for the blind and physically disabled); and most recently as director of the Millis Public Library, where she began in September 2005.
Linda is the author of “Academic Libraries and Students with Developmental Disabilities,” in Information Services for People with Developmental Disabilities: the Library Manager’s Handbook, published by Greenwood in 1995.
She is a member of the American Library Association and has served on the ADA Roundtable, the Decade of Disabled Persons Committee, and as chair of the Library Services for People with Visual or Physical Disabilities Forum. Linda currently serves on the Executive Board of the Metrowest Massachusetts Regional Library System.
While living in Cheyenne, Linda ran for the Wyoming House of Representatives – and almost won!
Giselle Stevens, Newburyport Public Library
Giselle has had the pleasure of being the Assistant Head
Librarian at the Newburyport Public Library for almost two years. Librarianship
is a second career for her – she was an Early Childhood Specialist for Head
Start and Public School programs for over 20 years. Giselle has a B.A. from
Tufts University, an M.Ed. from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and an
M.L.I.S. from the University of Rhode Island. She had the good fortune to work
part time in a public library and a school library while she was getting her
M.L.I.S., and worked as the Head Librarian for three years at an independent
elementary-middle school before taking on her current position. Giselle lives in
Newburyport with her husband and has a 20 year old daughter in college. She
loves being able to walk to work, and enjoys hiking, cooking, gardening, travel,
and – of course – reading.
Tracy Sutherland, Amherst College
Tracy Sutherland has worked in libraries for the past 15
years. While others stumble into librarianship Tracy pirouetted. During her many
years as support staff at Smith and Amherst College, she not only learned the
ins and outs of virtually every department in the library, she also finished her
B.A in Dance Studies and then pursued a Masters in Library and Information
Science from Simmons College via the GSLIS West program offered at Mt. Holyoke
College. Upon graduating, she embarked on her professional career with a
Fellowship in Librarianship at Amherst College. Tracy is eagerly anticipating
her next career move and is looking for a position that will utilize the breadth
and depth of her public service and technology skills, as well as offering her
new challenges. Tracy describes herself as "a 12 year-old boy in a 40 year-old
woman's body." As such she enjoys playing video games and watching the latest
blockbusters in her spare time.
Lana Thelen, Perkins Braille and Talking Book Library
Lana Thelen currently works as the Deputy Director & Outreach Librarian at the Perkins Braille and Talking Book Library, in Watertown, MA, which is the free public library for anyone in Massachusetts with a visual, physical, or reading disability. She is a 2005 ALA / PLA Spectrum Scholar and just completed the ALA Emerging Leaders Program as the Asian and Pacific American Librarians Association's sponsored participant. Lana received her MS from Simmons College in Boston, MA in December, 2006. While attending Simmons, she co-founded a student chapter of the Progressive Librarians Guild. She received her BA in sociology from UC Berkeley in 2002. Lana is particularly interested in librarianship's contributions to social justice, services to underserved populations, and recruiting and supporting librarians of color. She also enjoys bicycle touring (the above photo is from a trip up the coast of Maine), eating vegan treats, and hanging out with her adorable puppy, Ramona.
Julia von
Ranson, Deerfield Academy
Julia started working in her local public library when she was 15 years old
despite failing a Dewey decimal test at her interview. She is currently the
Circulation and ILL Librarian at Deerfield Academy where, over the past year she
survived the implementation of a new automated system. Previously she has worked
as a Circulation Supervisor at Keene State College and in Reference at the Rhode
Island Historical Society Library. Julia received her BA from Goddard College
and her MLS online from Texas Woman's University. Her primary professional
interests are in access services, copyright and administration, particularly
planning and personnel issues.
Julia lives in Brattleboro, Vermont with her husband, Erik, their 11 month old
son, Sean and cat, Brillo.
Mary Rasner, Melrose Public Library
Mary Grein Rasner is currently the Senior Reference Librarian at Melrose Public
Library. Having loved libraries and reading since a young age, Mary began
volunteering at her local library in New York until she was old enough to become
a paid page, and hasn't stopped working in the field since.
After receiving her Bachelors of Arts in Journalism and English at the
University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Mary went on to complete her Masters in
Library and Information Science from Simmons College. Throughout her education,
Mary has spent time working not only in public, but academic and corporate
libraries as well.
During the almost 4 years that Mary has worked at Melrose Public, she has
re-designed the library's website and enjoys teaching senior citizen computer
classes in addition to her reference responsibilities. An avid reader herself,
Mary is almost never without a library book within reach.
Dave Ware, Olin College
Dave Ware has been the Resource & Digital Services
Librarian (read: e-resources, web-page, digital archives) at the newly formed
Olin College just outside of Boston for 2-1/2 years. In this exciting time he
has seen the first two Olin student classes graduate, and he has innovated many
services--including a project to record and podcast the thoughts of the
graduating seniors.
Previously, Dave worked at the Harvard Design Library, Harvard University
Archives, and the West Virginia University Archives. Dave received a BA in
history from West Virginia (he grew up in the state and knows "Country Roads" by
heart), and more recently an MLIS from Simmons College.
He lives with his wife Cathy and 7-month-old son Gregory Niccolo in West
Roxbury, a suburb of Boston.
Suzanne Wargo, Millbury Junior/Senior High School, Mentor
Suzanne Wargo has been the Media Specialist at the Millbury Jr. Sr. High for six years, coming into the position after a retirement and in the middle of construction and renovation. Since girlhood and an early desire to be a teacher, she always wanted to be a high school teacher - and her position at Millbury was finally her chance to do what she always wanted to do.
In the past she was very briefly the media specialist at Monty Tech in Fitchburg and also took a shot at being a library director in Blackstone pre-new library days. She had what she calls her "Oprah time" in Blackstone and thought she could easily jump into other’s shoes - but says she found herself out of her element in the public library sector. But the time in Blackstone gave her a chance to see the field and gain some valuable experiences that have helped her be a better teacher and resource for her students. She is now a more effective user of the public library system as a teacher and leader.
Suzanne is married and the mom of two grown children, a son 28 and a daughter almost 25 and has had an empty nest for about a year. With an empty nest she has finally had the chance to try some new experiences such as knitting, but her passion is being involved in community service. She is on her hometown school building committee which is building a new early learning center and renovating two other schools. All three schools will have new libraries so she has a unique chance to contribute. Suzanne is also a busy and active member of Amnesty International, which meets in Webster, MA. She finds working for human rights personally rewarding and says her group does much good. It makes her feel great that even small groups of people can make a difference in the world.
Kelly Jo Woodside, Simmons College
Kelly Jo Woodside became a librarian because she wanted to empower people with
the information they need to meet their goals. An alumna of the Simmons Graduate
School of Library and Information Science, she has been the College's Career
Resource Librarian since June 2005, working closely with counselors in the
Career Education Center to provide patrons with a full range of career
information and services. She is also an active participant in the College
Library's reference, instruction, and collection development teams. Previously,
she was a Reference and Instruction Librarian at Roxbury Community College. An
experienced career changer, she also has a background in academic advising and
program planning, retail bookselling, and at one point even ran a youth hostel
in Portland, OR, where she rounded out her days helping to manage the Friends
store in the Multnomah County Library.
Her professional interests include information literacy, outreach in various
formats, useful application of 2.0 technologies, and the psychology of work.
Beyond that, feel free to track her down during a break at the Institute if you
want to watch Buffy episodes on her iPod or get an amateur analysis of your
astrological chart.