Following a long career working at UC Berkeley in varied roles including editor, project manager, and digital librarian, I am enjoying forging a new career path as a librarian in the public library setting. At the Hayward Public Library, I lead a popular book group focused on literary fiction, and have collaborated with local organizations to sponsor author appearances, including several organized in conjunction with NEA Big Reads. I've also organized a series of writing workshops and, last spring, a multigenerational poetry slam, which was a lot of fun. I love to do community outreach and build collaborative relationships between the Library and local organizations, including high schools, community colleges, and the nearby California State University East Bay. I also enjoy using and teaching others to use online social networks -- as a reader, my favorite is GoodReads.com.

In addition to participating in the Eureka! Leadership program this year, I was also selected to participate in the IMLS Western Regional Fellowship: Transforming Life After 50. So I'll be looking for interesting ways to serve and engage the Library's 50+ community. I am looking forward to learning from and exchanging ideas with other librarians in the Eureka! Leadership program, to help me to expand the Library's potential to build community in new and innovative ways.

When I'm not working, I enjoy the joys and challenges of parenting an energetic 15-year-old daughter, and helping my 87-year-old mother deal with some of the difficulties of aging. I'm lucky to have the support and encouragement of my longtime partner, Christine.