When I look back on my life, it is amazing to me that I didn’t think to become a librarian earlier.  I always hung out at libraries as a kid and when I was older, checked out the local library before deciding to move to a community.  In the end I decided to become a School librarian after working as a Children’s librarian at a public library for 3 years, and then as a library aid to Sandy Kelly for 3 years in Westford, MA.  It was then that I decided to go back to grad school to get certified as a school librarian. I completed my grad work at Cambridge College, and never looked back.

In 1998 accepted my first job as a librarian was in Merrimack, NH in an elementary school.  I was offered the job before I completed my certification.  They were in need of a librarian, and allowed me to complete my course work while working, under the guidance of a library supervisor.  I was a member of the New Hampshire Librarian Association, and learned a great deal from them.

I joined MSLA in 2001.  It was at this time that I decided to change directions, and took a job in Littleton, MA in the newly created middle school.  This is where I found I really belong.  I love middle school students, and the literature is my favorite. I had the pleasure of selecting the middle school library collection and designing a library space for a new middle school.  Unfortunately, I never got to work in the new space, as my position was cut the year before the new building was completed.

I started working in Reading MA in 2004 at the Coolidge Middle School.  I have been here for 7 years now. Professionally, Reading has opened many doors for me, from attending the National Blue Ribbon Institute, and hosting Big 6 guru Bob Berkowitz, to presenting at MassCUE and NELMS.  It is also the place that I have seen most of the changes that have occurred to our profession.  These changes are one of the most important reasons I decided to join the MSLA Conference Committee in 2005 and the Executive Board in 2007 as the Northeast Region Co-Director.

Since becoming a member of the Executive Board I have had the opportunity to go to AASL and ALA Midwinter. I have attended Legislative Day and helped create the Legislative Day promotional video.  I have created and maintain the newly formed MSLA Author Database, and hope to see it grow into a valuable resource. In the future I hope to continue work with and for Massachusetts librarians.