I am currently the head of the teen services department for a multi-branch system serving over 97,000 residents. I worked extensively to assess the community and create a long-term plan for teen services at the Woodbridge Public Library, and have supervised paraprofessional staff and teen volunteers on several projects. Some of my achievements include planning and implementing a Teen Summer Reading program that resulted in a participation increase of 300% from the previous year and coordinating the first NJ Makers Day event to be held in Woodbridge with the children’s service department, which over 350 residents attended. Managing the teen services area is in addition to my other duties as an adult reference librarian, which includes providing information utilizing print and digital sources, as well as assisting with adult programs and outreach events.

Although my primary duty was as a reference librarian with a concentration in teen services, my work covered a wide array of responsibilities within this small library. I planned and managed teen and tween-oriented duties, including Teen Summer Reading Program and programming throughout the year, school outreach, collection management, and maintenance of the Teen area. I also manage collection development for the adult nonfiction department, including selecting, purchasing, budgeting and weeding titles. In addition to assisting at the reference desk, I also create and oversee desk scheduling for reference staff, and manage social media outlets for the library, including Instagram and Facebook accounts, and the Teen Space blog.

As part of a grant to help restore organizations affected by Hurricane Sandy, I assisted in the inventorying and processing of more than 150 boxes of documents, photographs, and materials pertaining to the history of the N.J. National Guard and militia, which were damaged by the storm. I also organized and set-up an archival area within the museum for more efficient storage and ease of use, and worked on creating a digital finding aid for all items in the archival collection.

As a librarian in a library system serving over 2 million residents, I was able to acquire a number of valuable skills, from collection development and answering patrons’ reference questions face-to-face, over the phone, and via online chat, to creating eye-catching displays, shelving, and physically maintaining department stacks and study areas. I was also instrumental in the research and creation of several system-wide assignments, including proposals for BTOP and LSTA grants, staff training presentations for a software platform and eBooks service, and web content for the library’s main website (www.mdpls.org). I also served as Youth Services librarian at a busy regional library branch, where I researched and implemented teen programs, including a system-wide spoken word competition, conducted outreach with schools and organizations in the community, and maintained and added items to the YA collection on an extremely limited budget. These duties were in addition to the day-to-day responsibilities of circulation, shelving, and creating a weekly staff schedule.

I acted as Copy Director for elementsforwomen.com and elementsliving.tv websites, and edited and coordinated the bi-monthly online women’s health and wellness magazine. I wrote copy and edited a comprehensive, 70+ page manual for nutrition coaches and consumers for a new online diet program created by elements.

As Corporate Communications Manager, I created and launched full marketing campaigns that included print and online components for an award-winning men’s skincare product line, as well as acted as the primary communications liaison to over 80+ media contacts in the print, online, and visual media industries. I developed and managed web content for company’s primary website by using extensive SEO techniques and Internet search tools, and researched industry and medical resources to generate press releases, direct mail pieces, monthly newsletters, product brochures and feature articles for our targeted client base.

As part of my duties as Copywriter, I researched, created content, and edited over 50 marketing pieces for print, online, and broadcast media. As Office Manager, I completed administrative tasks for an award-winning advertising office with a roster of 30+ clients, with a focus on client correspondence, project management, and scheduling.

As Editorial Assistant, I extensively researched using print and online sources and wrote copy for the following books: The Home Almanac (Fall 2004), The Goodnight Book (Spring 2005) and New York Deco (Fall 2005). I also copyedited several manuscripts and gift calendars published by Welcome Books.