Curriculum Vitae

Independent Experience

Consultant, 2017 – present

Staff professional development/technology training program development, from assessment to initial training/program kickoff. Website review and analysis from a user experience and taxonomic perspective, providing recommendations for improvement and categorization of content. Building review from a user experience and design perspective, providing suggestions for usability improvements for staff and the public.

  • Staff Training Structure and Materials for new ILS Implementation, Harvard University Library, SUNY Library Consortium, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Yale Library
  • Technology Plans (to accompany separate Strategic Plans), New Bedford Public Library and Concord Public Library
  • Staff self-directed technology training program development, Somerville Public Library
  • Website review and feed taxonomy analysis, Third Sector New England
  • Informal user analysis of Honan-Allston Branch, Boston Public Library

Writer, 1994 – present

Extensive experience with writing and content creation ranging in length from short flyer blurbs to full manuscripts, with special expertise in discussing technical topics for a non-technical audience. Additional experience in journalistic writing, including interviews and assembling query results into comprehensive, practical, readable articles. Please see my full list of writing for samples.

Trainer, 2006 – present

Offered short to full-day classes and workshops for library staff and the public on mobile technology, social media tools, online safety and etiquette, emerging technologies, and other skills for 21st century daily life. Provided staff-specific trainings on professional skill development, keeping up with technological advances, and interacting well with the public and their devices. See my Workshops & Trainings page for a full list of past work.

  • Public technology workshop series, Ipswich (MA) Public Library & Amherst (NH) Public Library
  • Staff training at Somerville (MA) Public Library, New Bedford (MA) Public Library, Concord (MA) Free Public Library, Grafton (MA) Public Library, Cary Memorial (Lexington, MA) Public Library
  • Invited presenter at NELA Diversity Summit and NEO-RLS Emerging Technologies Symposium
  • Webinars for NEO-RLS, Library Journal, ACRL/Choice, NCompass Live (Nebraska State Library Commission)

Guest Lecturer/Advisor, 2004 – 2019

2004 – 2011: Provided onsite guided lecture of architecture and design of award-winning library branch to visiting students. Offered insight and practical advice on impact of design on building usability and experience. Participant in initial and final reviews for student projects, including feedback and suggestions for improvement. Advisor for long-term projects including thesis study in architecture.

  • Guest Speaker, LIS course on social justice in libraries, University of Rhode Island, 2019
  • Guest Lecturer/Review Panelist, Wentworth Institute of Technology, Senior Spring Design Studio class, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011
  • Thesis Advisor/Client Representative for Michael Rosa, MS Arch 2011, Boston Architectural College
  • Additional Tour/Lectures at the Honan-Allston Branch from NJ Institute of Technology, University of Virginia, and more than a dozen other schools over 6 years.

Library Experience

Yale University Libraries, 2022 – 2025

Training and Documentation Consultant for Alma/Primo Implementation Project, September 2022 – August 2025
Multi-stage consulting engagement, from pre-vendor selection through post-migration to Alma/Primo VE. Advised Yale staff during vendor evaluation and selection, comparing pros and cons of viable products. Provided foundation training on Alma for project working group leads, created wiki site for project documentation and (eventually) staff training and documentation materials. Next steps are supporting Working Groups through workflow development phase, developing staff training program, and adapting training and documentation to include institution-specific workflows and policies. Three-year project.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Libraries, 2020 – 2021

Training Coordinator for Alma/Primo Implementation Project, September 2020 – August 2021
Collaborating with MIT Libraries staff to develop a fully-remote migration training program and long-term training solution for the Alma/Primo VE library management and discovery systems. 12-month project.

SUNY Library Consortium, 2019 – 2020

Training Specialist for Alma/Primo Implementation Project, August 2019 – August 2020
Consultant/training specialist to build and extend a multi-modal sustainable long-term training solution for the Alma/Primo VE library management and discovery systems. Collaborated with SUNY Shared Library Services and local campus staff to develop templates and support materials for local trainers and self-directed staff learning. 12-month project.

Harvard University Library, 2017 – 2019

Alma Training Manager, October 2017 – June 2019
Coordinated and provided training for more than 700 library staff during the implementation of Alma, a unified resource management system (next-generation ILS) from Ex Libris. As co-chair of the Training Working Group, oversaw the development of training materials based on documentation from functional working groups. Coordinated the Train-the-Trainer program to get 60 staff trained, using drafts of the training materials, and then scheduled them to train remaining staff. Developed long-term manager-driven training program based on the implementation training materials, plus post-implementation modules. Project term ended in June 2019.

Boston (MA) Public Library, 1998 – 2015

Public Instruction Curriculum Development Coordinator, August 2014 – October 2015
Coordinated system-wide public technical instruction for the BPL; developed curriculum for trainers, for both face-to-face and online classes; developed content and program support materials for classes. Oversaw final development and launch of LibGuides CMS installation, including content evaluation, content creator support, and oversight of CSS/look & feel updates.

Web Services Librarian, July 2010 – July 2014
As part of the Web Services team, develop, maintained and supported all aspects of web-based library services. Coordinated training for staff and patrons in training labs and pushed through the library website. Monitored and recommended emerging technologies that were in line with the library’s mission and goals. Assisted with design, architecture and updating of library’s intranet and public-facing web portals.

Branch Manager, Honan-Allston Branch, May 2009 – June 2010
Branch manager at one of the largest and busiest branches of an urban public library system. Oversaw all branch functions and staff, including scheduling, budget management, program and community use of space, art gallery exhibits, and high-level community outreach and collaboration with local organizations. Ultimately responsible for the condition and upkeep of the building, for adherence to and interpretation of library policy, and for being the public voice of the branch to the community. Represented branch interests to senior library management and advocated for the needs and interests of branch staff and neighborhood patrons. Continued to provide all services of reference librarian to patrons as needed.

Generalist Librarian, Honan-Allston Branch, July 2004 – April 2009
As part of an adult services team, provided all ready reference, reader’s advisory and research assistance for adults and teens. Supervised branch operations in the absence of branch head. Instructed patrons and coworkers in computer and database use. Developed collections in nonfiction, travel, science fiction/fantasy, reference and young adult fiction areas. Collaborated with branch head and adult librarian to develop programming for adults and teens. Supervised adult and teen volunteers.

Childrens’ Librarian, Honan-Allston Branch, January 2003 – July 2004; Lower Mills Branch, October 1998 – January 2003
Coordinated all aspects of youth services at branch level as solo childrens’ librarian, including: providing reference and homework assistance for all age levels, designing and implementing programs, maintaining and selecting for all childrens’ and teen collections, administering all relevant budgets, supervising adult and teen volunteers, and acting as liaison to local schools and youth organizations.

Additional Skills & Experience

Publishing Intern, 1996-1997
Researched, formatted, copyedited and proofread sales training texts and learning system elements for pharmaceutical sales publishing firm. Involved with design and layout of documents using desktop publishing platforms.

Customer Service and Sales
A retail background ranging from a New York department store to a small New England-based guest house group has given me a key sense of what good customer service is and what it requires of staff and an organization. In addition, I bring a retail sensibility and an understanding of business principles to my library work.

Education

Simmons College, 1997 – 1998
Master of Science in Library and Information Science

Boston University, 1991 – 1995
Bachelor of Science in Film, magna cum laude
Bachelor of Arts in English, cum laude