Writing & Critiquing
Manuscript Reader, Tor, 2012-present
Read submitted manuscripts and prepare written reports with a recommendation to acquire or reject.
Blogger & Book Critic, Stacked Books Blog, 2009-present
At least once per week, review youth literature, curate book lists, and prepare posts on readers' advisory and related topics.
Develop relationships with industry professionals in order to bring new and interesting content to the blog, including author interviews and guest posts.
Panelist & Judge, Cybils Awards, 2011-2019
Serve as a panelist or judge for the Children’s and Young Adult Bloggers’ Literary Awards (Cybils), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, which recognizes books for kids that balance literary merit with kid appeal.
Served two years in the children’s and YA graphic novel category and and seven years in the YA speculative fiction category.
Presenter, Kidlitcon, 2013
Critical Reviews and Why They Matter, with Kelly Jensen
Librarianship
Librarian - Youth Selector, Austin Public Library, July 2015 - present
Managing a budget of $1 million, I am responsible for selecting all materials for youth from birth through 18, including books, music, movies, and virtual content, for the Central Library and 20 branches throughout the City. Highlights include:
Increased circulation of the youth book collection by 16% from Fiscal Year 2016 to 2019, compared to 7% for the adult book collection.
Chaired the Social Media Advisory Team for two years, helping to lead the Library’s efforts with Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and Tumblr.
Chaired the Mock Printz Committee for two years and participated for four.
Served as a panelist at the Educational Books and Media Association conference in 2019, where I discussed youth selection for public Libraries with publishers and other attendees.
Librarian - Assistant Branch Manager, Austin Public Library, September 2013 - July 2015
I served as assistant branch manager of the Pleasant Hill Branch of the Austin Public Library with a diverse population. Highlights include:
Acted as Branch Manager in absence of the Managing Librarian.
Interviewed, hired, trained, scheduled, supervised, and evaluated seven employees and four regular volunteers.
Provided customer service for a diverse population, including circulation, reference (print and digital), and readers' advisory/personalized book curation.
Helped lead the library's transition to an RFID circulation and security system, including training lead staff and temporary employees and contributing past experience to optimize workflow.
Assistant City Librarian, Huntsville Public Library, September 2009 - September 2013
As second in command of the Library, I supervised staff, administered the volunteer program, managed the ILS, marketed the Library and its services, selected all materials for youth, and developed and implemented programs. Highlights include:
Wrote two winning grant proposals that created two new collections for the Library.
Enrolled the Library in its first e-rate cycle.
Led the Library’s transition to an RFID circulation and security system.
Increased circulation of the youth collection by 45%.
Planned and executed a Grand Reopening celebration after a major building renovation and expansion that drew 500 attendees
Library Assistant, Round Rock Public Library, 2008-2009
Provided professional-level library services for a diverse population, including circulation, reference (print and digital), and readers' advisory.
Graduate Associate, Operation Teen Book Drop, 2009
Worked with a number of organizations, including readergirlz, YALSA, and If I Can Read, I Can Do Anything to build support and excitement for Operation Teen Book Drop 2010.
Helped coordinate the delivery of 10,000 new books and audiobooks to American Indian teens on reservations.
Updated the If I Can Read, I Can Do Anything website with new content about Operation Teen Book Drop 2010.
Presented a program update at the 2009 ALA annual conference in Chicago.