Seattle Public Library
Informal Learning Program Manager
Tell us about your experience leading a change in your library and/or in your community.
I have led two major change initiatives in the library — one centered on shifting our Summer of Learning into an equity-based model, and the other based on working with Seattle’s Somali community to create 3 board books based with, by and for the Somali families.
We transitioned our traditional, deficits-based (stop reading loss!) Summer Reading Program planned by librarians to one that is assets-based and planned in collaboration with Black, Indigenous and People of Color-led organizations and youth.
By utilizing community listening, community engagement, and partnerships, we have published 3 Somali board books through family-based summer programming, whereby participating families made all the major decisions about each of the books created.
What is your mentoring philosophy & style?
I like to tailor my approach to the strengths of each mentor. I am informal, and like to talk through and brainstorm ideas in order to narrow down the project focus.
What else would you like a leadership mentee to know about you?
I have worked for a large, urban library system for 19+ years, and do not have a library degree. Instead, my background is in informal out of school time programming, developed through a variety of jobs at a science center and zoo.
Areas of expertise
Leading change in the library or the community, Equity initiative in the library, community, and/or profession