March 7, 2022

Please describe your role with your County: 

I’m the Library Director for Madera County, which has five locations throughout the County. Madera County Library’s mission is to strengthen communities by providing a place for everyone to connect, learn, and grow. I set the vision and strategic direction for the main library and branches, oversee operations, and lead a great team of hardworking and dedicated people that offer relevant and meaningful resources, programs, and services to meet the needs of our diverse communities.

Is your glass half-full or half-empty?

My glass overflows with gratitude for having a great job in a wonderful county. I’m definitely an optimist, I look for possibilities in every situation. There’s usually at least one, if not several, solutions to every problem. Staying positive hasn’t always been easy with recent challenges from the pandemic, however, seeing the creative ways that my team overcomes these obstacles while continuing to make amazing things happen for our communities renews my hope every day.

What motivated you to enter public service?

I took a Children’s Librarianship class in graduate school and finally found my niche, something I’d be happy doing for the rest of my life. I love how public libraries strengthen communities, how we get to know our patrons and be a small part of their lives, and how we support their learning and growth through all stages. My team often hears me say that we’re not in the book business, we’re in the people business of public service. I also love collaborating with like-minded community organizations, finding ways to strengthen our efforts and expand our reach to enrich the communities we serve.

What’s the most interesting or fulfilling part of your job?

Serving the public and collaborating on new projects always keeps things fresh and exciting. The most fulfilling part of being a Library Director is seeing my staff working well together and being happy and engaged to serve in new and creative ways with support from our Friends of the Library and dedicated volunteers. I also love seeing the impact of that hard work in the form of satisfied patrons and connected communities.

What makes your county special? 

Madera County is a very special place. We’re a diverse rural county in California’s agriculturally rich Central Valley, with beautiful landscapes of rolling hills, expansive ranches, orchards, lakes, and mountains. Madera is also the southern gateway to Yosemite National Park. I’ve pulled off the road many times on my commute home or between visiting library branches just to snap photos of the gorgeous scenery and amazing sunsets. Ultimately, it’s the people that make Madera County so special - with kind and hardworking communities and a very supportive County Administration and Board of Supervisors that all lead from the heart and put people first.