WebJunction

My name is Emily Inlow and I'm the Currriculum and Community Developer for the Spanish Language Outreach program. I've been with the program since February. Before I came to WebJunction, I was working with Probigua/Child Aid in Guatemala on literacy and library development projects. I can't play the marimba, but I heard lots of marimba music in Guatemala!

I am not a Seattle native, though I've been here since 1999 (I moved here two weeks before the WTO protests). I grew up in the Atlanta area, where I will be returning in a few weeks to get married. I've worked in a variety of types of libraries - public, academic (reference and archives), and a news library. Before libraries, I was a bookstore girl where I really learned about reader's advisory.

I've loved every minute of working on this project and I'm excited to meet all of you in the fall!

Emily

Thanks - as excited as I am about it, I'll be glad to be thinking of something else. Like the Training Institute!

Hola! My name is Zola Maddison and I'm a Special Projects Coordinator at WJ - which means I get to work with a lot of different teams here. I love working with SLO because it ties together all the things I love about libraries - community, culture and, of course, reading!

I'm pretty new to WebJunction - I just started here in May. Before that I worked at the Washington State Library as a reference & outreach librarian. I've also worked in academic libraries and have been able to work on library projects in remote areas of Guatemala (with Emily!) and South Africa. Prior to libraries, I created literacy programs for immigrant youth living in public housing communities in Seattle. I'm really excited to get to know all of you and hear about the great work you're doing in your communities.

On a personal note: I've got a pug dog named Deano (named after Dean Martin - the party pug!) and I love to travel and cook - preferably at the same time!

Hi Stephanie:

Thanks for sharing the Xia baby album! Looks like your days are filled with joy.

Cindi

Hi Stephanie,
I am Luis form El Paso and check your blog. Cool! I like the picture of the little mouse stuck in the printer. It brought a smile to my face for I feel that way many a day in dealing with the new technology.
See you soon in Seattle.
Guichito

Hello Everyone!

My name is Tina Liston and I am a Professional Development Specialist for North Central Missouri College in Trenton, MO. I also teach GED classes for St. Charles (MO) Community College, and am a contracted trainer for Cooper Management Training & Consulting in Troy, MO.

I am married to Michael, an insurance agent, and am the mom of two teenagers, Joshua, and Courtney. An interesting item, at least to me, is that I am currently working on my Doctorate in Counseling.

I am looking forward to meeting everyone in Seattle!

I'll buy the glass of wine if you promise to sing!

Oooh, that Catie is a cutie. Enjoy her visit!

Stephanie Zimmerman

Hi, everyone. I am one of the few trainers who doesn't have an MLS. Instead, I have a B.S. in zoology which I have found to be invaluable in my working life as a computer systems analyst, adult education instructor and currently as a professional development specialist with North Central Missouri College. Although I have lived in Missouri for 19 years, I am a native Angeleno, having been born in Los Angeles County.
I am excited about the opportunity I have to bring more services to Missouri's growing Hispanic population. An interesting fact: As the eastern terminus of the Santa Fe Trail, Kansas City has always had a significant Spanish population.
Factoid: I'm a tele-commuter who never has to worry about the weather or traffic. I Iive 160 miles from my employer and am home based. Before you get jealous, I never get to miss work because of snow, ice, etc.

Jamie, I look forward to reading your contributions to discussions about marketing with your advertising background.

Emily

Hola! I am Shirley Hansen and I work for the Idaho Commission for Libraries in Boise, Idaho. For the past two years I have served as Office Services Supervisor and recently moved into the position of Librarian after finishing my MLS degree from Texas Woman’s University via their online program in May. My background is varied – or checkered – with experience in secondary education, business and library technical services. My third career pathway is proving to be an exciting time in the field of librarianship. I look forward to identifying innovative means by which libraries can be front runners in this wonderful age of information.

On a personal note, I grew up in Idaho, moved to Washington state where I lived for about 30 years (on the east side in the desert), and now have returned to my state of origin. It is great to be back!! My cat and I have a nice little house with the appropriate “little” yard so we can focus on living life, rather than maintaining it!

The visuals are of Miss Kitty and myself!

Shirley

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Howdy, y'all, from sunny Texas. My name is John Pecoraro and I am Coordinator for the Big Country Library System based in Abilene. I manage a staff that provides consulting, continuing education, resource sharing, and technical support to 43 public libraries in a 32-county area. I've been in my current position a little over 2 years. Before that I managed a branch library and was a reference librarian for Abilene Public Library. I'm a native of California, but Texas has been my home so long I'm beginning to develop a drawl.

As far as personal trivia goes, my one claim to fame is that I posed as part of a "beefcake" calendar sold by the Texas Library Association to raise funds for disaster relief. I appear as June 2008. Take a look if you dare. You'll find out more about me than you'll ever need to know. See you in the Emerald City!

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Hola, My name is Cindi Sapp from Spartanburg, South Carolina. I have been with the library system 15 years, currently working in Human Resources.
My interest in the Latino culture started with a visit to Cozumel and has continued by my participation in local and state summits as well as my attendance of several Hispanic interest workshops at the ALA and PLA Conferences.
I am the current President of the Carolina Chapter of REFORMA.
My passion is people and introducing them to library services.
Factoid: I share an interest of collecting toys and attending toy conventions with my husband.

My name is Jo Caisse and I have worked in public libraries both in Washington and Oregon states. In my current position at Deschutes Public Library here in Bend, Oregon, I'm the Outreach Services Manager so I get to do a bit of everything including manage a bookmobile program, homebound program and now this!

My factoid(s): I'm a native Oregonian and like Laura being a native Seattle-ite, being a native Oregonian in Central Oregon is a pretty rare occurrence around here. And similar to Stephanie, seven years ago I found to my happy surprise after 21 years of marriage that I was going to have a baby! That baby, Joely, is now 7 and entering 2nd grade-unfortunately I'm also 7 years older...

Looking forward to meeting all of you!-Looks like a fun group!

My name is Kathy Robins. I recently began working as a reference librarian and am working toward my MLIS. I have a lot to learn about library services and librarianship! I live in Billings, Montana and go to school at the University of Washington (distance program). My background is in the management of information technology, teaching IS/Applications to students and adult learners and in database design. I LOVE teaching people how to use technology as a tool. I am thrilled to participate in SLO. By the way, the software for the kick-off venue was great!

My claim to fame is that I am the mother of 4 wonderful sons. I've been involved in every kind of sporting event you can imagine. Team mom? Swimming instructor? Coach? That's me. We also have at least 7 different kinds of musical instruments in our home. (Although right now, Guitar Hero is the rage.) Those years are winding down now - only one child left at home. But, what a ride!

2 pictures attached:
-The whole fam in Italy in 2004 (3 weeks of bliss!)
-Me last Christmas

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Hi. I'm Sue Jackson from the Library Development Department of Montana State Library. I'll be acting as coordinator for SLO in our state, but won't be coming to Seattle for the institute. We'll have three great public librarian/trainers attending who will bring back the curriculum to share with there fellow librarians. I'm sorry I'll miss the leopard-skin bathrobes!

I'm Leah Langby, the Library Development and Youth Services Coordinator at the Indianhead Federated Library System in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Like Marty, I sometimes wish my job title actually led to an understanding of what I do at work--people's eyes sometimes glaze over before I'm done explaining, but I know you library people won't mind! I work for a library system that serves 53 public libraries in 10 counties. My job is to make sure folks have the resources they need to serve youth and people with "special needs" (which is very broadly defined), and to coordinate the continuing education our system offers.

I'm excited to work on this project. I'm very interested in helping our libraries reach out to the Spanish speaking population--around here it is mostly rural and can be hard to reach, so I'm really looking forward to getting some good ideas. It will be great to get experience and support for doing more in-depth training, as well. I'm also looking forward to getting more experience using WebJunction and other technology (technology is NOT my area of expertise, to say the least).

Personal tidbits: I live in the country with my family, where we raise most of our own vegetables (especially now!), along with chickens and a couple of llamas (partly for their fiber, but mostly for their humor value). We have a family band that plays mostly celtic and old-timey tunes, we call ourselves the Barnyard Banshees! Being the only band member who doesn't practice unless there is a gig coming up, I ride on everyone else's coat tails.

I'm really looking forward to meeting and learning together in the fall.

Hola, que tal? I am Yolanda Jasso, and I work as a library associate at the Hollis & Helen Baright Library in Ralston, Nebraska. I was born and raised in El Paso, Texas, and Spanish was my first language. I left El Paso when I married a military man. My husband and I have three children - one in college, one in highschool, and one in middle school. After living a nomadic military life for the last twenty-five years, we have finally reached our final duty station (at least that's what my husband says).

Having worked at the Ralston Library for only a little over a year, I am a "newbee" to the library world.Since I've been here, I've helped develop the ELL (English Language Learner) Hispanic outreach. It has been great to "dust off" my rusty Spanish language skills - it's all coming back to me now. I thoroughly enjoy working the our Spanish-speaking patrons, and look forward to learning how to service them better.

I look forward to seeing you all in Seattle!

Susana,

No, I don't have any brothers. Only one sister, her name is Susana!

Sorry.

See you soon!

Yolanda

Hello everyone. My name is Pam Bradshaw and I am the SLO Coordinator for Idaho.

I’ve been with the Idaho Commission for Libraries, formerly the Idaho State Library, for twenty years. My position is Program Supervisor which means coordination of all resources for the Commission.

Although I am not a trainer, I could teach you all how to knit!

Personal tidbit – I am an Idaho native and have 3 grandchildren.

Since I had no idea where Bhutan was, I had to check it out. According to wikipedia:

"Bhutan is one of the most isolated and least developed nations in the world; however, the country maintains strong economic and cultural links with India. Foreign influences and tourism are heavily regulated by the government to preserve the country's traditional culture and national identity. The landscape ranges from subtropical plains in the south to the Himalayan heights in the north, with some peaks exceeding seven thousand metres. Mahayana Buddhism is the state religion and accounts for about half the population. Thimphu is the capital and largest city."

Wow - what an adventure you are about to embark on. I look forward to meeting you and hope you'll stay in touch during your travels.

Stephanie Zimmerman

Pam - I am dying to know what 70's TV show you were an extra in! I was an extra in the movie Singles that was filmed in Seattle in the early 90's. The adventure led to me meeting my husband.

Juan and Luis - welcome! It is great to see you adding to the liveliness of the discussion boards.

Luis- please do bring a stack of REFORMA membership applications. I know one of our participating states is planning to give each library that participates in a SLO workshop an institutional membership to REFORMA. How cool is that!

See you next week,
Laura

Hola, everybody! My name is Eleanor Stafford, and I am part of the MA contingent. I work for Libraries for the Future (LFF), a non-profit organization whose goal is to champion the role of public libraries in American life and to promote new approaches to sustaining and developing libraries. Check out the LFF website if you're interested: http://www.lff.org/index.html

Specifically, I am the Massachusetts EqualAccess Program Manager (EqualAccess is an LFF initiative). My office is housed at the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners and I run a professional development/LSTA grant program for public librarians in Massachusetts who are interested in community-responsive programming--with particular emphasis on three target audiences: youth (teens and 'tweens), health consumers, and older adults.

I am also the Basic Literacy Trainer for Literacy Volunteers of Massachusetts and run an 18-hour, bi-monthly training for volunteer tutors in the teaching of reading to adults with limited literacy skills.

I am not a librarian, but a former 4th/5th grade teacher and learning disabilities specialist. However, I am the daughter of a fun, community-responsive librarian. (Mom just retired after serving for 28 years as the library director of the Thomaston Public Library, CT--there were tears aplenty.)

Interesting factoid: I just finished writing a 350-page novel for children. Now the real work begins as I try to get it published!

Thanks, Emily! It does feel like a big accomplishment, I must say. I've been working on the book for almost four years now, so I'm relieved to be able to say it's done.

Hi, I am Cheryl Carpenter from Nashville, TN. I am a new librarian; graduated 4 years ago. I work in Popular Materials at the gorgeous main branch of the Nashville Public Library. I am very excited about this new learning opportunity as well as seeing the Seattle Public Library. Since fourth grade I have wanted to be a librarian and have a license to read but I navigated through the corporate world until at 50 I decided to get my Masters of Information Sciences. I was a University of Tennessee distance ed student so I learned the technology end very quickly! Yet, I was impatient to finish so I took weekend classes during the summer and splurged and took my last class in Prague! Fantastic experience as it was 10 months after the flood so I got to see how information can be saved or lost so quickly.

I have 2 grown independent daughters of whom I am very proud. My oldest is starting her Masters in Social Work this week after working in the corporate world and being an actress in NYC. My youngest is an Admissions Recruiter for the University of South Carolina and travels all the time. She is scoping out Seattle for me over Labor Day.

Other than my daughters, my two memorable events were travels out of the country where the government had recently changed. My sister lived in South Africa and I got to go with her to set up her house. It was post apartheid and Mandela was in office. Lovely country but still redefining and learning. The second trip was going to Prague with my daughters earlier when it was still in the transition of no longer being under Soviet rule. Both experiences made me realize the ripple that our own civil rights movement had on the world. It also made me very embarrassed as to how rushed I am as an American and that other places "pleasure" is used in place of "you're welcome" and life is to be taken at a slower pace. While I do not have a background in Hispanic communities, I want so much to learn how we as librarians can reach and welcome the community finding what we all have in common.

So I am thrilled to be doing this and getting the chance to read of our predecessors and to get to meet my fellow trainers.

Wow - I was out sick the last couple of days... what a treat to come back to all these fascinating introductions! Although you all are giving me a serious case of the travel bug!
Cheryl - when were you in South Africa? I was there three years ago - ten years after of the end of Apartheid. I was working with libraries and saw so many challenges and obstacles to libraries and literacy education, but I couldn't help but be impressed by the amazing willpower of people to enact change. The sense of excitement and empowerment were palpable! And Shelley, I would love to talk to you about your interviews with Indonesian librarians. I lived in Indonesia during the Suharto regime - in fact this had a huge impact on my desire to become a librarian because I saw how important access to information is to the development of a community. I am so curious hear about their current work. *Almost* as curious as I am to hear about the current work that you all are doing!

I realized after my "informal" intro that my brain must still be on vacation! Amazing what a little sun can do. I didn't say much about myself. Well here it goes....I'm Migrant Program coordinator for the Reading Public Library and work as an assistant at the Northeast Branch Library. I've been with the library for 10 years. 7 of which I have been working closely with the Pennsylvania Migrant Education Program. I've established a Migrant Resource Center at the branch. The center houses ESL, Spanish and Bilingual materials for our Spanish-speaking patrons. SLO sound like a wonderful opportunity to connect libraries and the community.

I'm currently a psychology student at Reading Area Community College and hope to transfer to Kutztown University in the future. I'm married to a wonderful man and have 2 kids. My daughter is attending college and my son middle school

something personal about me: I love butterflies and roses!

I love it!! It's hysterical. I've been thinking about writing a children's story...mind if I use this character? Can't wait to meet everyone in September...

Hola amigos from South Texas. I'm Norma S. Gonzalez from Corpus Christi and I recently joined the South Texas Library System as a Public Services Consultant. Here at STLS we provide continuing education, tech support, and consulting services for 54 member libraries. Being new to this position, I'm still 'learning the ropes' but I'm always ready for a challenge. The primary focus of my position is literacy and from reading the postings, I see that there are a few experts in the field so I hope I can get some great ideas!

I pretty much started in libraries so I have many years of experience (MLS from TWU). I worked for the public high school system and in public libraries. I previously was the web manager for the Corpus Christi Public Libraries so most of my background is in technology. I also have experience in children services, reference, local history and genealogy.

I'm very interested to see how this program will fit into our plan. I am looking forward to meeting everyone! Hasta luego!

Hi Everyone!

I'm Gina Persichini from the Idaho Commission for Libraries. At ICFL, I'm the Networking Consultant. I work on statewide programs (resource sharing, statewide catalog, eaudiobooks, etc.) and I provide consulting services on matters related to those things and consortia, collaboration and general library networking things.

I'm looking forward to the SLO training in October and then bringing that back to the Idaho library community.

I don't know if it's interesting, but most people that know me know that I spent most of my life in Florida. I moved to Idaho in 2001. Well, a lot of people recognize Florida as the "sunshine state," and I'll agree that it's pretty sunny (and hot). But, it wasn't until I moved to Idaho that I acquired a love of the outdoors. (I think it's the great scenery and weather!). So, in free time, I like to hike, snowshoe, and I'm learning to golf. Here are a few photos from a recent adventure:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/heyharmony/664493994/

Hello All:

My name is Kulcey Cassidy and I am the Children's Librarian for the Florence County Library System in Florence, SC. I am really excited about being a part of this program since outreach is one of my personal goals as a librarian.

My career path to becoming a librarian included a detour through "Corporate America". I answered that little voice inside my head to "serve others" by pursuing my MLIS. I look back on that decision to be the smartest move I ever made.

In my spare time, I love writing (the next great poem, novel, short story, etc) and playing with my dog BOSS-any one who has met him knows why I must use all caps!

Greetings, all. I'm Kathy Pagles and will be traveling to join you from eastern Tennessee. I have been the director of the Blount County Public Library for nearly 19 years. BCPL serves a county of more than 100,000. I have an MLS and have been an academic librarian and a school media specialist in past lives. Blount County has been experiencing a surge in Spanish speaking persons as has much of east Tennessee, and this program will offer tools which can be used to reach out to this group. I am excited about being trained as a trainer and the possibilities there will be to help librarians and potential library users connect for the common good.

I have never travelled west of the Rockies and am so looking forward to the experience of Seattle (Starbucks and the Pike Place Fish Market). I hear it rains there and since east Tennesse has, for the most part, not experienced rain for a good while, I am doubly excited. While I will be on a plane for a good while coming and going, I will be able to indulge in two of my favorite activities, reading (duh) and knitting.

I will probably be among the older participants, being a true baby boomer and white haired to boot. I have two grown children, no grandchildren, one cat and a husband of 40 years who will be coming with me.

See you in Seattle.

Note: this message has been moved by an administrator. Originally posted by kdrevo on August 21, 2007.

Hi! I am Karen Drevo, Youth Services Librarian at Norfolk Public Library in Norfolk, NE. About 10% of our library users are Hispanic. I "spice-up" our programming for young children with Spanish language experiences. I do workshops for librarians who speak little or no Spanish who want to add Spanish language experieces to their programming for young children. Norfolk is a community of under 25,000 but we serve a large area of Northeast Nebraska. I am looking forward to our training in Seattle in October.

Hello, everyone! My name is Raye Oldham from the State Library of North Carolina in Raleigh. I am the Continuing Education Consultant so all things related to training are part of my job. We have the good fortune in NC to have a program called the Master Trainer program, which is a "train the trainer" approach. Since my introduction to the program I have been intrigued with how to focus on the learner and their learning experience - the complete opposite from what most of us had in school. This truly facinates me and I'm always re-thinking how to flip something around in a training design or workshop. I have been at the State Library for nearly 5 years, and I worked at community college library for 5 years before that.

My personal interests are quilting, stained glass, mosaics - glass or tile. My most interesting tidbit is....I just learned that you can have your eyelashes and eyebrows dyed so you don't have to apply daily mascara, etc. How cool is that?! I'm slightly cosmetically challenged and this is so fascinating to me that I had to give it a try. I know there are additional, more permanent things, but I'm a bit "slow to warm up" to new things so this was enough of a stretch for me. : )

My name is Magaly Vallazza and I work for the Johnson County Library in Kansas as Branch Manager of the Oak Park Library. I was born in Bolivia and came to the US more than twenty years ago. I went back to school and received my MLS from the University of Missouri -Columbia ,and since then I have been working in public libraries located in the Kansas City Metropolitan area.
I will be one of the trainers of this exciting program and I look forward to meeting some of you.

Hi Chanzy,
Your last comment about having worn the other shoe reminded me of a training I went through before I was a volunteer ESL teacher with a non-profit that works with Latinos here in Seattle. One of the activities we did in the training was to spend about half an hour learning Euskara, a language the trainer assumed (correctly) none of us knew. It made us all "wear the other shoe" and see what if felt like to learn another language.

Emily

I am Carolyn Davidson and I am the Assistant Director of the North Texas Regional Library System. I have been here three years and have had many opportunities to work with unique programs for our spanish speaking users. I have worked in corporate, small and large public, and academic libraries - I tend to like to try new things!

Before becoming a librarian, I too was a social worker. So, obviously I have spent much time with a diverse population - loved social work - but after 10 years I decided to try libraries. I received my MLS from the University of North Texas. Little did I know, working in a library is often like social work.

I love training and am really excited about this opportunity and meeting everyone.

Ella and Carter are so adorable! Thanks for sharing their picture with us!
Stephanie

Hi There! I'm Catherine McMullen in Bozeman,MT. I do a little of everything here at the public library; started as a shelver in 2004 and now I work at the Reference Desk, the Computer Services Desk, and in Interlibrary Loan. I'm excited to be working on this project! I can't wait to meet everyone in Seattle.

I have three Community Leader Interviews lined up for next week. Even just spending some time on the telephone has opened my eyes to things going on here in Bozeman. I'm originally from Northern California and while I love Montana diversity here seems to be well... less diverse. I think this project may show me how wrong I am.

I'm graduating in March with an MLIS from the University of Washington. I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to that day. Becuase of that I'm familar with Seattle, at least as familar as you can be when attending classes everytime you visit.

Interesting fact: I'm working at the Computer Desk right now... and just helped one of our lovely Latino regulars with an Excel issue. We learned together how to manuever through Excel. It is interesting how much of Computer assistance is all about teaching the patron that is ok to just try it and see what happens. Almost anything can be undone!

Okay back to work!
Catherine

Hello everyone,

I'm Lorie Vik, Adult Services Librarian at Eugene Public Library in Oregon. My “hats” include reference, collection development, programming, Spanish language outreach, and other misc. stuff that comes along. I graduated from the Information School at the University of Washington in 2003, and I'm considered one of our techie library staff. This amuses me since I saw how really techie some of my classmates were, especially those that are now web developers and taxonomists.

I learned Spanish in Seville, Spain, where I lived for about four years after college. While studying for my MLIS I spent a month in Honduras working in a rural public library through the Riecken Foundation and World Library Partnerships. I just ended my term as the President of the NW Chapter of REFORMA.

I lived in Seattle for about ten years and spent my teenage years growing up on one of the many islands in south Puget Sound. I love to read cookbooks, cooking magazines, and the food section of the newspaper, but when it comes to cooking, I prefer to do the dishes. The year I became a librarian, I also got a cat and learned to knit. I’m still enjoying all three.

I'm so glad Oregon is participating in this final round of training, and I'm looking forward to working with our communities and meeting all of you. -Lorie

Hi Marcia,
It's great to hear from you. I wanted to point you a new discussion forum you might want to check out also on WebJunction for librarians working with prisoners. The [url http://webjunction.org/forums/category.jspa?categoryID=135]Prison Libraries Forum [/url] as well as the new content area [url http://webjunction.org/do/Navigation?category=17846]Services for Incarcerated People[/url] are new and growing areas of WebJunction.

Also, I'd love to hear more about your son living in Scotland. My soon to be husband and I want to go there on our honeymoon next year!

Emily

Dorothy Vance,

I spent many weeks in Brandon in my youth. My oldest brother lived there and his daughter, who was only one year younger than myself, was my best friend as well as my niece while growing up. I'm a native Mississippian. I got my Bachelors degree in music many years ago from the University of Southern Mississippi. I can't think of any repertoire for bass clarinet and soprano, but I'd be willing to try. Maybe there's something out there for recorder, bass clarinet and soprano. Just the thought of that juxtaposition of voice and instruments makes me grit my teeth, but I bet there's a nice Spanish song we could do. See you all soon!

Ann Roberts

The Spanish Language Outreach Band...the SLOW Band...Hmmm...it has possibilities. It would be fun if we all brought our instruments--but a bass clarinet might not be so fun to lug as a flute (after playing cello in 3rd and 4th grade, I picked the smallest instrument I could!).
Leah

Hello! I'm Susana Baumann, Director of LCSWorldwide Language and Cultural Services located in New Brunswick, NJ. I will be representing PA this coming fall in Seattle. I've been consulting with the PA Office of Commonwealth Libraries for the past three years, training library staff in Occupational Spanish and Latino Outreach. A former college professor in Architecture and Fine Arts in Argentina, -I do have a past life!- I came to the US in 1990 and obtained a second Masters degree in Communications. I worked in Marketing, Multicultural Advertising, and Publishing until I started my own business in 1996, helping non-profit and government organizations to interact with the diverse Latino community.
My passion is to travel and I try to do it often. I also play tennis, love yoga -keeps me sane!- and adore my pup Meme, a rescue Beagle who is my true "significant other." Very excited to be here and looking forward to meeting you all!

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Deano is an adorable name! Sorry I did not see the message sooner. I wish I could bring my pup to Seattle, I do travel with her some times!

Hi, I am Susan Hayden from WV. I am the Adult Library Consultant for the WV Library Commission which is the state library and have worked here for 8 years. I support adult programs in public libraries which includes literacy services at local, state, and national levels.

WV's population is almost 2 million, with a Hispanic population of less than 1% - but growing. I will be state coordinator and trainer in the SLO' WV program. I am excited about working with this project and have already gotten some good ideas from our two webinars.

I can't wait to get to Seattle - I want to go on the Underground Tour, see the Art Museum, and eat fresh seafood!

Better late than never, right? Hola! Me llamo Janelle Jarboe y I work for the Southwest Kansas Library System in Dodge City, KS as an Assistant Technology Consultant/Trainer. (Unfortunately, after many years of hs and college Spanish that's about all I can write anymore. I guess you really do lose it if you don't use it!)

My main responsibility is to provide Technology Training to our member libraries. I am one of the Trainers for Kansas representing the Western part of Kansas. I am somewhat new to the library world compared to some of the rest of the group. I have worked where I am now for a little over a year and prior to that worked at a public library as the System Administrator for about 4 years. I also often frequented libraries and worked in them through school and college.

I have a BS degree in Computer Information Systems and have been considering getting my MLS in the near future. Thankfully the availability of online courses and outreach will make it easier.

I live in a rural area with a high Hispanic population. Most areas around here are 40-50% Hispanic. I really think these Spanish Outreach trainings are going to be very popular and well-attended! I am excited. I am also excited to get the heck out of Dodge, meet everyone, and eat some fresh seafood.

A piece of personal trivia about me is that I am a TV and pop culture junkie! Some of my favorite shows include Ugly Betty and Project Runway. Thankfully, my Tivo will record for me while I am gone... I also tend to ramble on and on if you can't tell. ;)

Hola everyone,
If anybody needs to make a change to their hotel reservation, please contact me. Because it is a group reservation, all changes need to be made through us.

My email is inlowe@oclc.org.

Also, many of you may be arriving in Seattle on early flights. Check-in is at 3 p.m. I've checked with the Monaco, and they tell me the hotel is pretty full for both weekends, but they do store bags in the lobby. If you get there early, you stash your bags and explore Seattle for a few hours before getting to your room. If the room is ready, they will let you check in early, however.

Thanks!

Emily

My name is Tom DeBlauw and I'm a Professional Development Specialist, working for North Central Missouri College. I have moved around some in my professional life. I worked as an Admissions Counselor at A.T. Still University, which is an Osteopathic medical school, located in Kirksville, Missouri. I have also worked as a Hall Director at North Dakota State University, in Fargo.

I am married to Cassie, a Professor and Athletic Trainer at Truman State University. An interesting fact about me is that I was born during a blizzard. My parents had to be snow mobiled the last 8 miles to the hospital.

WOW! I just finished reading all the introductions and I am awed to have the opportunity to work this group. Thanks to all of you for sharing pictures and snippets about your families, pets and "other" lives. The details make you all seem very real to me.

Cindi

I'm a state library consultant with the Mississippi Library Commission. I love the diversity and the challenge associated with my position and the opportunity to help define the direction of my service to public librarians.

Quick facts - I want to attend the Women's Final Four and at least one Olympic Games. I hear that the "Games" are coming to Canada in 2010!

Greetings from Utah! This is really a great group and I am looking forward to meeting ya'll. My name is Juan Lee. I work for the State Library as the State Data Coordinator (yes, I am the geek that likes to play with numbers...) and the trainer for the SLO project in Utah.

I was born and raised in Chiapas, Mexico, which became newsworthy for about 30 seconds after an "indigenous" uprising in the mid 1990s. Does anybody remember Subcomandante Marcos? Anyway, I've been in Utah for almost 20 years and I call Salt Lake City my home, now.

Juan

Wasssa' Ese...
Mi muy estimado Don Luis, it seems like there are a couple of Reformistas coming to the Institute. It was good seeing you at ALA. Lets make sure we reconnect in Seattle. Juan

Hello, I'm Jennifer John Patterson. I'm a Spanish speaker (learned in Castilian Spanish in college, then switched to Tex-Mex and traveled alot in Mexico for 30+ years (I really like Chiapas and all the southern states of Mexico). I've been almost every kind of librarian there is since 1971. Most recently, I was branch manager in a 1/3 Spanish speaking, 1/3 African American, 1/3 Anglo community in Austin, TX for 8 years. Right now, I'm Continuing Education Coordinator for Central Texas Library System, Inc. I love training and am looking forward to this time in Seattle. My husband Drew is coming along on this trip. He's a museum exhibit designer, deadlines are making us both crazy, and we can't WAIT to come to Seattle. We'll be in Victoria, Vancouver next Thursday! I can hardly wait. Hasta la vista, amigos

Hola!
this is Miriam Rodriguez, representing Texas, I'm the Assistant Director for Public Services at the Dallas Public Library. I'm one of 3 librarians in my family (my brother and sister in law complete the trio)

See you all next week in beautiful Seattle

Miriam

Hola!
I'm Myra Arredondo Zatopek and I complete the Texas team as many of my great trainers have already introduced themselves. I am the Special Services Consultant for the Texas State Library & Archives Commission. I am looking forward to Seattle and meeting everyone, but especially to spending some time with my little nephews.

A little something about me is that I own two scaredy cats both named after movie characters that have theme songs: Cat Ballou & Jet Jaguar.

Hello everyone! I am Sally Snyder from the Nebraska Library Commission and I am the Coordinator of Children and Young Adult Library Services for Nebraska, which I love!
I am also the SLO Coordinator for NE and am looking forward to meeting many of you next week.

My piece of personal trivia is that my family spent our Saturdays for years going to local lakes (my dad called them "mud puddles") to water ski. It is a fond memory.

Sally