Project Management
Throughout my professional career, I have had the opportunity to lead and work with diverse library teams committed to customer-focused and outcome-driven projects that have significant community impact for residents of all ages and abilities. Here are highlights of my project management experience in Illinois and Minnesota public libraries.
Dakota County Library - November, 2016 to December, 2022
Student Card Program - December, 2016 - December, 2022
- Project Manager for Dakota County Library's Student Card Program
- Launched fine-free virtual library cards for over 27,000 students at nine Dakota County school districts in collaboration with library team representing Circulation, Technology, Communication and System Services
- Presents virtual and in-person trainings to librarians, teachers, cultural family liaisons, curriculum specialists and other school staff
- Develops external communication for parents, caregivers and guardians in collaboration with library staff, school library media specialists and school district communication and marketing teams
- Leads internal communication, develops training materials and presents training for Dakota County Library branch and system staff
- Provides ongoing communication and technical support and training to library and school staff
Project Management
- Project Team Chair for Dakota County Library's Pride Celebration at Pleasant Hill Library in Hastings, MN attended by over 250+ community members (June, 2022)
- Led system-wide team of eight library staff members in the development of an all-ages in-person community event recognizing and honoring LGBTQIA+ communities in response to community event featured on CNN and national news outlets
- Led the design of customer experiences and activities included a community built quilt, book lists, displays, pride storytime, and book giveaways sponsored by the Friends of the Pleasant Hill Library
- Developed relationships with local community organizations, such as Transparent Alliance, Quatrefoil Library, and Reading for Reese, to attend the event and host information tables
- Project Lead for Dakota County In-Person and Virtual Teen Job Fairs (2019, 2020, 2021)
- Collaborated with Dakota County CareerForce, Dakota County Social Services, District 197, employers, and Dakota County Library staff to develop annual job fair experience for teens of all abilities ages 14-21 attended by over 100+ teens annually
- Helped advise on the design of the interface of the virtual job fair platform, including content creation, with Dakota County CareerForce
- Led communication efforts through library and county channels
- City of Apple Valley's Community Conversation about Mental Health (2018)
- Participated in a cross-department county five-person team of staff from Dakota County Library, Dakota County Public Health, Dakota County Social Services, and City of Apple Valley staff to design a community event for Apple Valley residents in response to community concerns about mental health, individuals with disabilities and local city police response
- Helped design table talk questions, identified topics for panel presentation, and advised on program content
- Led communication efforts through library channels and coordinated technology and stage setup
- Hosted library information table and promoted resources to parents, caregivers, teachers, and residents
- Chair of Dakota County Library's Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Committee (April, 2021 - Present)
- Facilitates nine-person system-wide team of staff to lead, promote and guide EDI work at the library
- Collaborates with the team on the development of the library's first EDI Change Plan that will identify and prioritize EDI work in the organization
- Gathers staff feedback from all levels of the organization to inform the direction and content of the EDI Change Plan, including staff focus groups and online staff survey
- Developed new partnership between Dakota County Library and Dakota County Community Development Agency delivering free books and summer reading materials to youth ages birth to 18 residing in CDA's low income housing program (Summers, 2021 and 2022)
- Collaborated with the Director of Property Management at Dakota County CDA to develop a schedule of visits for CDA communities
- Developed staffing schedule and training materials for five-person library team to complete outreach visits to CDA communities across Dakota County
- Helped design and distribute communication materials to CDA neighborhoods across the county
- Wrote narrative summary and report on project to submit to County Commissioners; tracked statistics of participants and number of books distributes for reporting purposes
Minnesota Department of Human Services Disability Services Innovations Grant - May, 2018 to September, 2020
- Project Lead of Dakota County Library's $100,000 Disability Services Innovations Grant
- Launched Library's new Accessibility Team, which consists of two Subgroup Teams, Community Engagement and Awareness and Customer Experience Subgroups
- Led the design and planning of Calming Spaces at three newly remodeled Dakota County Library locations, including Galaxie (Apple Valley) Library Calming Space, Pleasant Hill (Hastings) Library, and Heritage (Lakeville) Library, in collaboration with community partners, such as Fraser and the Autism Society of Minnesota
- Contributed to updating library's Accessibility Services webpage
- Project Lead on two successful Request for Proposals for accessibility consultants to support grant work
- Website & Online Accessibility Remediation: T-Base Communications
- Community Engagement: K. James Consultations
- Implemented training workshops about accessibility and inclusive customer service topics for library staff at all levels of the organization
- Advised and mentored staff in piloting inclusive program and service ideas serving people with disabilities
- Oversaw the development and implementation of technologies and tools for increased accessibility for customers system-wide, including branch accessibility kits, circulating Life Skills kits, adaptive mice and large type high contrast keyboards
- Developed library social narratives, including Galaxie Library Social Narrative and Galaxie's Calming Space Narrative
- Co-created program series American Sign Language Celebration with Matt Meinhardt from Metro Deaf School hosted at Farmington Library, Robert Trail Library, Wescott Library, and Burnhaven Library
- Co-created an accessible marketing video for American Sign Language Celebration with ASLIS and Matt Meinhardt
- Helped led social media and marketing efforts to support the grant, and collaborated on the development of content for an updated Accessibility Services webpage
Accessibility Projects
- Coordinated the design and launch of Dakota County Library's new Life Skills Kits collection (2022)
- Collaborated with Chong Min Lee from Metro Deaf School and launched two new virtual program series (August, 2020)
- Just for Teens: ASL 101
- American Sign Language 101
- Coordinator of series of 4 staff training workshops in recognition of 2018 Autism Awareness/Autism Recognition Month entitled Autism Spectrum Disorder 101 featuring Autism Society of Minnesota (April, 2018)
- Coordinated Staff Day workshop entitled Autism Spectrum Disorder 101 workshop with Dakota County Social Services and Autism Society of Minnesota (December, 2017)
- In collaboration with Dakota County's Social Services Autism Grant, coordinated 4 focus groups from customers with autism, their families and community stakeholders about the accessibility and inclusion of customers with autism and their families at the Library (August, 2017)
- In partnership with Autism Society of Minnesota, launched a monthly book club program for young adults with autism and other disabilities
- Led the implementation of a county-wide online survey evaluating the accessibility and inclusion of customers with autism and their families in library programs and services (July, 2017)
- Co-Chair of the Dakota County Social Services Innovations Group (June, 2018 - Present)
- Trained and mentored two youth librarians and oversaw the development and launch of new monthly series of Sensory-friendly Saturday programs
Glen Ellyn Public Library - June, 2014 to October, 2016
Youth Department Remodel Project - June, 2014 - January, 2016
- Led vision and design of $1.1 million dollar Youth Department remodel project in collaboration with Executive Director Dawn Bussey, Architect Team from Product Architecture + Design, Construction Management Team from Shales-McNutt Construction and library staff entitled Building a Better Glen Ellyn Public Library
- Developed Youth Department space, including the creation of a new Middle School Room, an enhanced Play Space, a browsable picture book collection in bins, an Early Reader Nook, and an enlarged Youth Program Room
- Advised on renderings, architectural drawings, design of custom millwork, selection of finishes and furniture, change orders
- Participated in frequent architectural design and construction meetings
- Performed walk-through inspections and addressed various issues during construction
- Acted as Library's main media contact and developed promotional material, including a Youth Department Redesign video, to communicate project updates to the community
- Devised plans for a temporary youth department setup in the library's meeting rooms and coordinated move and packing efforts
Accessibility Projects
- Consulted and oversaw the development of new Sensory Storytime Program and This Is My Library Social Story
- Created curriculum for and led outreach visits and programs to local Special Education High School Life Skills students
- Created new circulating collection of Youth Adapted Books
- Oversaw the development and planning of new outreach programs to deaf-blind students at Philip J Rock
- Coordinated Disability Awareness Customer Service Training with JJ's List at library all-staff in-service
- Developed and implemented training program for Youth Department staff on autism spectrum disorder and libraries
- Received Next Chapter Book Club certification and consulted on the development of book discussion program for adults with developmental disabilities
- Assisted in the launch of new "Accessibility" and "Special Needs Services" webpages for library website
Project Management
- Implemented Summer Meals Program in partnership with Northern IL Food Bank serving 2000+ free lunches annually to Glen Ellyn youth
- Developed and implemented annual STEAM Fair event partnering with 15+ local organizations and agencies attended by approx. 800+ annually
- Planned and coordinated of two staff in-service training days (April, 2015 & October, 2015)
- Oversaw cross-department reclassification project of over 12,000+ picture book collection into browsable face-out categories
- Managed the creation and implementation of new library collections, including leveled early readers and middle school fiction
- Developed content for new library webpages, including 3D Printing at the Library, Online Resources for Kids, and Youth Department Remodel
- Led efforts among Management Team to draft and develop new library procedures and policies, including a building-wide Closing Procedure, an Unattended Child at the Hour of Closing Procedure, and a board-approved 3D Printer Policy
- Developed new Youth Department Employee Training Program
Glencoe Public Library - May, 2012 to May, 2014
Children's Department Enhancement Projects
- Designed plans and reconfigured Children's Department space for new LFI shelving to expand space for collections
- Developed new youth collections, including Junior High Fiction, Juvenile Book Discussion, Illinois Book Award Nominees, and Picture Books for Older Readers
- Launched new circulating pre-loaded ebook collection for Glencoe cardholders
- Launched new MacBook for in-house use by Glencoe middle school students
- Developed content for new "Homework Help" and "Parent Resources" webpages for students and caregivers
- Purchased new AWE Early Literacy computer station
- Upgraded Picture Book Area with new sensory play cube and other manipulatives
Accessibility Projects
- Developed inclusive Sensory Storytime program in partnership with National Lekotek Center
- Developed new Sensory Friendly Family Film programs for children of all abilities
- Supervised high school student with disabilities as library volunteer
- Created curriculum for and led outreach visits and programs for local Educational Life Skills (ELS) Special Education students
- Created a digital "This is My Library" Social Storytime
- Launched new therapy dog program in partnership with K-9 Reading Buddies of the North Shore
- Developed new "Library Program Request for Accommodations" form for children with disabilities
Project Management
- Collaborated with school district on implementation of new intergovernmental agreement for new school card program
- Created new Kid Lit Picks Blog, featuring children's book reviews written by Children's Services staff
- Coordinated author visit programs to local elementary, middle schools, and Glencoe Park District
- Developed new collections, including Jr. High Fiction, Kids Book Discussions, Illinois Award Books, and Transitional Picture Books
- Developed community partnership programs with the Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe Chamber of Commerce, Glencoe Community Garden, Glencoe Public Safety, and Glencoe Rotary Club
- Launched "Tech Talk" series of parent workshops on technology related topics. Programs featured guest speakers on internet safety strategies for parents, apps for children with special needs, and a discussion on learning technology through play
Deerfield Public Library - May, 2008 to May, 2012
Youth Services Redesign Project - October, 2011 - January, 2012
- As Acting Head of Youth Services, collaborated with Executive Director, members of the Management Team and Architect Team from Dewberry Architecture Firm on the Interior Design Committee for the Deerfield Public Library remodel project
- Attended monthly construction meetings, advised on renderings, architecture drawings, and selection of finishes for Youth Services space
Accessibility Projects
- Developed and conducted award-winning Sensory Storytime program series for children with disabilities
- Wrote and received Early Childhood Target Foundation grant to fund Sensory Storytime Program
- Launched new Read to Rover storytime for children with disabilities--a partnership program with Adventures with Bailey
- Conducted district-wide "Library Use Study & Survey" of 12+ library communities in North Shore area, in partnership with North Suburban Special Education District
- Created curriculum for and led outreach visits and programs to local Special Education elementary and middle school students
- Coordinated all-staff Disability Awareness Customer Service Training with JJ's List at library in-service
- Created Library Family Tours service for families with children with special needs
- Developed informal training session for Youth Services staff entitled "Tip for Inclusive Storytimes and Programs"
- Developed new digital "This Is My Library" Social Story
- Developed new pre-program "Request for Accommodations" questionnaire for children with disabilities
Project Management
- Conducted district-wide "Library Use Study & Survey" of 12+ library communities with North Suburban Special Education District
- Developed and implemented award-winning Sensory Storytime
- Implemented new Book Buddies literacy program, pairing teen volunteers with struggling and emergent readers
- Launched Read to Rover Storytime for children with disabilities, in partnership with therapy dog organization Adventures with Bailey
Directed three teen volunteer programs, including interviewing, training, scheduling, and supervision of volunteers - Coordinated two staff in-services training events
- topic: disability awareness with JJ's List
- topic: intellectual freedom with Deborah Caldwell-Stone from ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom
- Proposed technologies and trained staff on Technology Group