Please use this page to introduce yourself to the other NELLS participants. Use the edit tag above to open the page to post your information. Use as many lines as you like. Some suggestions would be to tell us about your work in your library, whre you live and what you hope to take home from NELLS.

 

About Julian Aiken:

I recently switched from Reference and Technology Librarian to Head of Circulation at Wallingford Public Library in CT. I used to be a policeman in England, but decided I didn’t look so good in the traditional bobby hat. I live in Hamden with my wife (another librarian), my two daughters (baby and toddler) and two terriers (they live up to the name.) I don’t spend as much time reading as I’d like. I’m looking forward to meeting everyone at NELLS, and stealing your brilliant ideas to use in my Library.

 

About Jean Amaral :

Hi All -- I'm currently a reference librarian at Antioch University New England in Keene, NH. I've also worked in an environmental engineering firm library, the Santa Clara County Library system, and San Jose State University's library. Before becoming a librarian, I managed non-profit organizations; taught English and composition at Massassoit Community College, Wheelock College, and the University of Maine at Farmington; and was a ranger at Baxter State Park in Maine. After living in San Francisco for several years, I returned to my native New England in 2006 to be closer to family in MA and ME. We have several technology initiatives in the works at Antioch (implmenting a portal, new learning management system, and different email), for which leadership skills would definitely come in handy, but more so, I'm excited about diving into working with the local library associations. Very much looking forward to meeting everybody in July.

 

About Charlotte Canelli:  

I am the library director in Dover, MA where I began work in January of 2008.  Prior to that time I was the director of the Bellingham Public Library from January 2005-January 2008.  I was the youth services librarian (previously was Charlotte Rabbitt) in Peterborough, New Hampshire from 2001-2005 after receiving my MLS from Simmons in 2001.  I returned to graduate school at the age of 47 after raising two daughters.  I have recently remarried a wonderful widower who was raising his young grandson ... and so changed names, marital status, grandparent status and homes in the fall of 2007.  It made sense, then, when I decided to make my life even more exciting by changing jobs!  I am looking forward to the NELLS experience in late July.

 

About Anna Carr:  

Hello all,

I am the Director of Library Operations at the Northeast Harbor Library in Northeast Harbor, Maine.  I started work here 18 years ago as a clerk.  For twelve years I was the Children's Librarian, a job I loved.  For four years I was the Associate Director and now I am the Director of Library Operations.  I earned my MLIS from the University of South Carolina in 2004.  I have two sons and a daughter who are grown and gone.  I have four grandchildren who are the light of my life.  During this last year our library staff with the help of many volunteers packed up and moved over 40,000 items into our new Library from a temporary location.  It is wonderful to be in a new building with lots of space.  I'm looking forward to meeting you all in July.

 

About Beth Crowley:

I am the Supervisor of Children's Services at the Groton Public Library on the beautiful Connecticut shoreline.  I have worked at Groton for almost 10 years but just became a supervisor last summer.  I lead both the childrens and young adult divisions and have 10 direct reports.  Having almost completed my first year as a supervisor, I am still at times reeling from the change but also loving the challenge.  I have grown more professionally in this last year than in all my work experience but I know I have much more to learn and that is why I am so excited to be participating in NELLS.  Also, I have yet to become actively involved in the Connecticut State Library Association and I am looking at this opportunity as a needed jump start in that direction.

 

On the homefront, I have three children ages 6, 4, and 2 (a girl and two boys) and a wonderful husband who not only quit his teaching job to stay home with our two youngest while I went back to work full-time but who will be holding down the fort as I spend 4 days at what looks like a beautiful retreat center.  I look forward to meeting all of you this summer!

 

About Colleen Crowley: 

     I am the "new" director at the C.M. Bailey Public Library in Winthrop Maine which is about 9 miles west of the Capitol, Augusta and an hour north of Portland. The population is around 6,000. I have been the director for 6.5 months. Previously, I worked full time and then part-time at the Portland Public Library (PPL) (Maine) in a variety of positions for 23 years.  The last 12 years, substituting at PPL while working in a series of positions as a school librarian.

     I am guessing most of the challenges here at the Bailey Library have been technological and the transition from being a lone library in a small town to part of the statewide 65 library member Minerva Consortium.  I am used to working with a full time IT person/staff so I am in very new territory here. I often feel like people who break down on the side of a road, open up the hood of the car and stare long and hard as if that will fix something one knows nothing about ... an engine or in my case the computer.  I live in Bowdoinham, ME about 35 miles southeast of Winthrop.

     Thus far I like the director position and the town of Winthrop a great deal.  The patrons are very pleasant.  People have been very welcoming yet keep asking the unsettling question, "So how long are you staying?"

I do hope to work on my leadership skills and grow into my role as director.  I have had "leadership" roles in the past; I was chosen and served as clerk of the Quaker Meeting in Portland. Yet, I was very much supported by a pastoral group with whom I was quite familiar.  I am used to working with a tight team of five people in Portland for many years with whom I am still in contact.  We still meet monthly!

     My two adult children were raised in Maine but have been on the West Coast for over ten years. They contact me frequently.  I am pleased to be expecting my first grandchild the end of August; he will be named after my late husband. I love children's literature and the classics, my favorite writers are British, especially Thomas Hardy.  I am also a very big fan of Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dyland the Beatles.  I  very much enjoy riding my bike.  Friendship is the thing I value most in life, my greatest successes and good fortune in life are my wonderful friendships.  "No man is a failure who has friends," is my favorite quote.

 

About Mary Danko:

Hi Everyone!  I run a teeny library (856 sq. feet) in the town of Weathersfield, VT called Proctor library.  I've worked their two years and love it!  Before that I was mainly in youth services for four years working in Norwich, VT, Hanover, NH and Berwyn, PA.  Running an entire library, even though small has expanded my daily challenges which included lots of snow shoveling this past winter.

 

I'm just finishing up getting my MLIS at Syracuse University through their online program.  I'm really enjoying the program and have learned so much. Right now I'm taking a class called "New Directions in Public Librarianship" which is very interesting.

 

I have two daughters.  My oldest is 19 and goes to school at NorthEastern in Boston and my youngest is 16 and will be a senior next year.  We have a ridiculously small yorkie named Emma who we love very much.  When I'm not working or doing schoolwork I love to read (of course :>), garden, hike, canoe, paint, draw, see films,camp, play tennis badly and attempt cooking.

 

I'm really excited to be coming to NELLS and plan on just bursting with wisdom when I'm through!

[IMG]http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r218/luvbooks1107/Prom2008017.jpg[/IMG]

Here is a pic of some baby turkeys that visited me at the library recently.

 

About Nancy Dellapenna:

Well, I guess it’s finally down to the wire…time to introduce myself, or just wait till Monday!!  Thankfully, I’m choosing the first option.  My name is Nancy Siegel….I just got married two months ago which, accounts for the name change from Dellapenna.

I’ve been the Assistant Director here at the West Springfield Public Library in Western Massachusetts, for the past nine years…I’m amazed to be even writing that…I cannot believe how quickly the time has flown!  I received my MLS from the University of Rhode Island in December 1996, while I was working full time in the Reference Department at the South Hadley Public Library.

I’m really looking forward to meeting everyone at NELLS…heaven knows; my leadership skills can use an infusion of new ideas and energy!  Working in public libraries has been the best career move in terms of personal and professional satisfaction, yet I remain aware of the need to keep pace with the changes in the profession and make sure that my skills are up to the challenge.  I’m not sure where the next ten years will take me, but I hope to be prepared to face whatever comes with abilities and grace to make it a success.

About Geraldine Deyermond:

Hi!  My Mother is the only one that calls me Geraldine- please call me Gerry.  I am the Assistant Head of Circulation at Memorial Hall Library in Andover, MA.  I have been there almost 10 years.  I love working there because it gives me the chance to talk to people and look at books!  I have become a gadget junkie and love my iPod (My daughter says it's my 3rd child) which has music and audio books loaded on it. I also have a MP3 player to take advantage of Overdrive bot at the BPL and through our consortium. I manage our digital audiobook collection which includes about 500 titles from Audible.com and field questions on Overdrive and players.  I am also the drill instructor for our now famous Book Cart Drill Team.  We have performed at our annual Firefighter's Holiday Parade for the last 7 years and recently won 1st place a the  Massachusetts Library Association's first Book Cart Drill Team Competition.  I am the Chairperson of the Paralibrarian Section of the Massachusetts Library Association.

 

I am married and have 2 daughters, one a graduate of Umass Lowell and the other entering her senior year at UMass Amherst.  I am finishing up my bachelor's degreee (about as fast as I can working full time) and hope to earn my MLS.  I took up knitting about 1 1/2 years ago nad love it.

 

I am really looking forward to NELLS!

 

About Alex Estabrook:

Hello everyone, 

I am really looking forward to attending NELLS and meeting you all in person.  I graduated from the University of Rhode Island in 2004 with my MLIS.  I am the Young Adult/Reference Librarian at the Merrimack Public Library in Merrimack, NH.  I have been in this position for three years, and I get to do all kinds of fun things with the teens, like watch movies, play video games, and eat pizza (all of which I enjoy doing).  I have worked in academic libraries, public libraries, and retail so I have spent a lot of time working with the public. My wife and I don’t have any children, but probably will someday down the road.  We also don’t have any pets at the moment but that will change if my wife has her way.  NELLS is a great chance for me to develop professionally and I appreciate the chance that my library is giving me to participate in this.  I will be seeing you all very soon!

 

About Toni Eubanks:

Hi everyone,

I'm lucky enough to be attached to two small public libraries both with big personalities here in the Northeast Kingdom part of Vermont. Both The Glover and Barton Libraries are in small rural towns that have an influx of summer residents that come to enjoy the lakes and the breath-taking scenery this area offers. My family enjoys the winters because we like to spend our weekends at the local mountains skiing and snowboarding.

   The Glover Public Library is located in an old farmhouse that we share with the town clerk and the historical society. So imagine a family room, dining room with pocket doors to separate, then add shelves full of books (old and new), and then both rooms always full of people (children and adults) and you can picture our library. Because of it's size, we really can give every customer personal attention. 

    The Barton Public Library is one town over and in an architecturally stunning building. It was built in the early 1900's so it's beautiful and all of the wood gives it a more formal appearance. The library is truly a community center for the town. Our meeting room is used every night and most days with both library and community programs. Being at both libraries we are now joining some of our programs together like a 7-week environmental discussion course we ran this spring. I really enjoy working in both communities and with both sets of trustees.

   We moved to Vermont 5 years ago from Scituate, Massachusetts. We have three kids (two teens and a tween) and we just purchased our first horse for our daughter. The horse is boarded on her friend's farm with hundreds of acres of woods and fields to ride (Lucky Girl!).  The whole family still agrees that we could not have made a better decision about moving to Vermont.

 

About Deborah Gadwah-Lambert:

Hello All!  I have been the full-time Director at the Alice M. Ward Memorial Library in Canaan, V.T. for 5 years now and absolutely love the job, my supportive community and board of trustees. I have a very nice part-time assistant to help me out. I am attending the Information and Library Degree Program at the University of Maine Augusta (on-line). I come from a bookkeeping background (and still use those skills with my husbands business). Although I have traveled all over the United States in the past during my over the road trucking days, I am from and live in Colebrook N.H. (about 10 minutes from Canaan V.T.). I have a 12 1/2 year old daughter, border collie/shepard mix dog, and cat. When I have time from two jobs, college, home and family, I enjoy my "girlfriend" time and "Harley" time. I also enjoy lounging on the beach, especially my visits to Old Orchard ME and trips to Playa Del Carmen Mexico. I really do love to read, and thankfully the book club here forces me to take time away from school required reading. Looking forward to meeting you all at NELLS08.

 

About Karla Gatsu:

 

 

About Deborah Kelsey:

Hi.  I'm currently the supervisor of reference services at the Morse Institute Library in Natick MA.  I am looking forward to serving as director of the Medfield Memorial Library in Medfield MA beginning mid September.

 

Home is filled with Rowan, a cockapoo, and his toys - Harold and Maude, cats.  There are piles of books to be read.  The human inhabitants include two daughters, one doing a gap year and the other completing her third year of college.

 

 

My life is filled with good friends, volunteering as the denominatonal affairs chair for my Unitarian Universalist congregation and Our Whole Lives teacher and working for peace.

 

I derive energy and ideas from other committed leaders in the UUA and the library world.  I am thrilled to have the opportunity to learn from you all at NELLS.

 

About Helen Linda:

I am the Library Systems & Technical Services Coordinator for Goddard College. I'm just beyond new to the position (9 months or so) and it's my first professional position since I graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with my MSLIS through their distance option. I have worked in libraries for ten years as a jack of all trades and it only occurred to me to make a career of it a few years ago! I love being a cataloger and am slowly but surely learning to be a systems librarian. I'm looking forward to drawing on the knowledge of those who've done it a lot longer than I have! While I'm a one woman show in my position, someday I might be lucky enough to have an assistant, or volunteers, and I'd sure like to know what to do with them once I have them!

 

I am also the chair of the VLA Advocacy Committee and we're trying to figure what we're all about. This is why I am most excited to participate in NELLS. I have high hopes for library advocacy but am finding that my history of social activism only goes so far. I'm hoping to draw on the collective wisdom of my mentors and fellow participants to light a fire.

 

I also enjoy reading children's fantasy books, knitting, driving around Vermont trying to visit every town for the 251 club, going to the farmer's market, yard saleing, the drive-in, games of all kinds, social networking sites (you can find, and friend, me on Facebook, Myspace, Ning, LinkedIn, and probably others I can't remember ;) and my three children Harold & Claude (And what are the odds of having two people in the NELLS group with cats named after that movie!!!), and Spiderman!

 

 

About Kathy Lussier:

I am the Assistant Administrator for Technology for the Southeastern Massachusetts Library System in Lakeville, MA. I work with libraries to help them find the best way to integrate technology into their services. I previously worked as the Assistant Director for the Brockton Public Library in MA. When I’m not thinking “library stuff,” I’m usually spending my time doing “family stuff” with my husband and two children: William (7) and Emily (3).

 

I’m also the Membership Chair for the Massachusetts Library Association and the Past President for NELA’s Information Technology Section. I’m hoping NELLS will help me hone my leadership skills as I continue to be active with libraries in the state and the region.

 

I’m looking forward to meeting everyone at NELLS. In the meantime, feel free to add me as a friend on Facebook and I’ll see you there as well!

 

About Corrie MacDonald:

Hello, I am the Youth Services Librarian at the William Hall branch of the Cranston Public Library. Although my branch is in the city of Cranston, we attract lots of patrons from the neighboring cities of Warwick and Providence. It would be difficult, if not impossible, to describe our "typical" patron - we encounter people from a huge range of backgrounds and all kinds personalities. Most of the time I would say that is one my favorite things about my job! I started working in Cranston as a library school intern and was lucky enough to get hired shortly after I finished library school in 2002. I have served as the newsletter editor of the RI Library Association for the past three years (had to put that undergraduate degree in journalism to use somehow!), and hope to expand my professional activity following NELLS.  My husband is a former "guybrarian" who switched to the technology field a few years ago, but he helps me maintain a tech-savvy image by keeping me updated on useful developments and applications. I'm an animal lover; currently my library menagerie consists of a guinea pig, fish, and a butterfly garden. I'd love to have a library cat but my boss has refused my repeated requests for one. At home, my two rescued mutts are my constant companions. (I tried to insert their pictures but something went wrong. So much for being tech-savvy...)

 

About Lisa Robinson:

I am currently the Academic Reserves and Acquisitions Librarian at the Oliver Wendell Holmes Library, Phillips Academy.  The Library is the located in the center of the beautiful residential campus in Andover, Ma.   I began 5 years ago as a part time Access Services Librarian after an 11 year hiatus from the work force to stay at home with my three children.  My position has grown exponentially over the past 5 years.  I love learning as much as I can in the field and much of this learning takes place from interacting with others in this dynamic and constantly changing Library field.   I am looking forward to participating in the NELLS symposium this summer. 

 

About Kate Russell:

I am the ERC/Reference Librarian at Regina Library, Rivier College. I am responsible for the daily operations at the Educational Resource Center, a branch of the College's main library. The ERC is a small and very active space that is geared towards servicing the education students on campus. Our collections are varied; we have children's books, educational software, games, textbooks, and more. I am the supervisor for an ever changing group of work-study students, a graduate assistant, and two part-time library staff members. When I'm not at the ERC, I'm at the reference desk at the main library. I have been at Rivier College for about 2 1/2 years and enjoy the small college atmosphere.

 

I recently attended the New Hampshire Library Association (NHLA) conference and heard of some opportunities that may allow me to become active in that organization. I look forward to participating in Nells and getting the extra push that I need to become more active in library organizations.

 

On a personal note - I enjoy all sorts of crafts. Lately I have been focusing on photography, book making, and embroidery. I usually spend a lot of time outside and enjoy hiking and biking.  

 

About Brooke Strachan:

Hello, my name is Brooke Strachan.  After living in Minnesota for 7 years I headed to URI for my MLIS.  I graduated in 2002 and began working at the Wheeler School in Providence the fall after I graduated.  I have worked at Wheeler for the last 6 years teaching information fluency skills, and (I hope) fostering a love of reading in my students in grades 3-5.  This fall I will have a new colleague and my position will change slightly.  Next year I will work with 4-6 grades.  I am looking forward to meeting a wide variety of people from diverse professional backgrounds at the symposium. I am hoping that I end up taking away some new ideas and perspectives on the library field and making some wonderful connections with folks from all over the region.

 

About Liz Sturges:

I am a reference librarian at the Cambridge Public Library.  I work at the main library; we also have 6 branch libraries in Cambridge.  As you might know, Cambridge is a very urban, diverse city that loves and supports its libraries. We are eagerly awaiting the completion of our renovated and greatly expanded new Main Library.  It's been over ten years in the planning and will hopefully open in the summer of 2009!

 

I look forward to meeting you all this summer.

 

About Linda Taggart:

Hello, folks. I’ve recently taken over the role of head of reference at the Nashua Public Library in NH, and am really enjoying the challenge. I’ve been a reference and local history librarian at NPL for about two and a half years; before that was library school at Rutgers University and several part-time library jobs in reference, children’s, and local history--simultaneously. In ancient history, I spent ten years in library and editorial services with a NJ training company. I actually live in Cambridge, Mass., along with my grad-student hubby. Favorite forms of entertainment these days are books, audiobooks (for the commute), and parody RPGs. Looking forward to meeting you all next week!

 

About Patricia Valsecchi:

Hello NELLS-ers,

I am the Community Services Director at the Woodbridge Town Library (Woodbridge CT).  What does that mean?  Well, I handle all of the adult programming, maintain the website, do all of the publicity for the Library, schedule art exhibits, publish the Library’s newsletter, run weekly film screenings, and still manage to squeeze in 10 hours a week at the Reference Desk.  I started out here as a part-time Reference Librarian and just kinda worked my way up/fell into this position.  I have my MLIS from Simmons College in Boston, and previously worked at the Simsbury Public Library (Simsbury CT) and the Beardsley & Memorial Library (Winsted CT).  I have a compulsion to read every book that I see cross the desk, but there is simply not enough time.  I have fossil fuel guilt because I don’t drive a hybrid, and I am interested in changing the perceptions and stereotypes that people have about librarians.  I look forward to meeting everyone in July in the wilds of Northern Massachusetts.

 

About Gail Zeiba:

Hello, I  am the Children's Librarian at the Willimantic Public Library. I have worked in Willimantic for six years. Before coming to Willimantic, I served as the Head of Children's Services at the Booth & Dimock Library in Coventry, CT for five years. Working in Willimantic has been an incredible experience. The opportunities for community collaborative is wide and varied. I enjoy the challenge and believe it has enhanced my leadership skills. I'm looking forward to attending NELLS and meeting new people in the field to share ideas and expertise. Currently I am serving as the children's section chair for CLA and hope this opportunity at NELLS will serve as a pathway to becoming involved with NELA.  

 

On the home front I stay very busy with my four children and seven grandchildren. I was a Rotarian for nine years serving as club president in 1995 and served on the youth exchange committee for five years. Our family had the pleasure of hosting nine international students during our involvement with the Rotary Club.

 

About Emily Zervas:

Hi Everyone! It's exciting to read your introductions and I'm really looking forward to meeting all of you at NELLS.

 

I've been working in libraries since high school and found my way to the Rutgers SCILS MLIS program through my undergraduate jobs working with electronic resources and digital libraries. My interests in graduate school were archives, digital libraries and reference and I'm happy to say that my current job lets me work on all three. I'm the reference and historical collections librarian at Rockingham Free Public Library in Bellows Falls, VT. My main adventures include working towards a better preservation environment for our historical collections and providing reference and research help to an amazing and diverse community. I've also become the lead person in migrating to a new ILS system (Koha hosted by LibLime--exciting!)

 

As a newish Vermonter, I've been spending this spring learning to bike on hilly terrain, searching out swimming spots and gardening. I also hope to begin moving/shaking more in my new community of librarians.