The ACRL Delaware Valley Chapter is holding its board elections this month.

Learn more about the candidates for Vice President, Secretary, and Director at Large.

Vice President/President Elect

Vickie Karasic

I am an academic librarian who focuses on educational technology, digital literacy, and learning spaces. As part of the Teaching, Research, and Learning Services team at Penn Libraries, I assist faculty, students, and members of the Penn community in supporting their use of digital tools for instruction and personal research curation. I serve as the librarian for French Language and Literature and support the Libraries’ reference, instruction, and outreach activities. My research interests include the use of digital media in language learning, active learning methods, and learning spaces in academic libraries. I hold my MLIS from Drexel University, MA in English from Columbia University, and BA in Comparative Literature and French from Cornell University.

Ever since attending my first ACRL DVC conference as a library science student, I felt welcomed and supported as a new librarian entering the profession. Not only does ACRL DVC provide excellent connections to larger issues in our field, but it also offers opportunities to learn from local professionals in meaningful ways. I would like to serve as Vice President/President Elect of ACRL DVC so that I can give back to the organization that has offered so much to me during my first years as a librarian. Specifically, I hope to strengthen the mentoring program, connecting new librarians to more experienced peers, and more seasoned librarians with each other, whether for networking, professional guidance, or support. I also hope to build inspirational learning opportunities for division members via semi-annual programs, library visits, and social opportunities.

Christina Steffy

I have been a member of ACRL-DVC since 2012, and I have volunteered to be a mentor and currently serve as the chapter’s liaison to the PA Forward Working Group. In addition to this experience, I am a peer reviewer for Pennsylvania Libraries: Research and Practice, and I have six year of leadership experience with the Pennsylvania Library Association’s College and Research Division board including serving as the board’s vice chair and chair.

I would like to serve ACRL-DVC because I enjoy giving back to a profession that has given so much to me. It is rewarding to play an active role in the professional development of librarians in our region and in the national development and progression of the profession. If elected to serve as vice president/president elect, I will continue to support the quality programming provided by the chapter while reaching out to our members to determine and implement additional avenues for engagement with the chapter. The Delaware Valley Chapter spans a large geographical area, and I believe it is necessary to provide opportunities to actively engage all of our members across the region. I believe we can further engage our members through a more active social media presence and a more robust mentoring program. My experience running a statewide academic library division has provided me with the skills and abilities needed to accomplish these goals and strengthen ACRL’s Delaware Valley Chapter.

Jasmine Woodson

In the nearly 15 years of my career, I’ve had the great opportunity to work across a variety of libraries and departments: public, special, and private; large research universities to small colleges; technical services and public services. In that time, I’ve observed from different vantages how the evolving information landscape impacts library work. In my current role as the Education and Learning Design Librarian at Lehigh University, those observations have formed how I support the wide range of research being done in Lehigh’s College of Education as well as shaped the ways in which I work with various departments across the university to cultivate mindful and critical information-seeking behaviors in students.

These experiences have led me toward a  philosophy of librarianship centered in the idea of the library as, to borrow from bell hooks,  a “radical space of possibility”, and as Vice President/President Elect of ACRL DVC, I would be interested in exploring and operationalizing what that means for library professionals and the communities we serve. In particular, I’d like to build on work by previous DVC boards in providing a platform for showcasing and fostering thought around collaborative work with organizations external to our institutions.  I am also interested in events geared toward intra-library collaborations and inclusive of paraprofessionals and non-public services library staff — how do we work across departments in order to solve a problem or create a new service? Support of experiential and lifelong learning and wellness initiatives, too, is another area of interest, both in terms of how we support our constituencies, but also in how we create those opportunities within the library.

Secretary

Marlowe Bogino

As a newer librarian, I am excited for the prospect of new opportunities within the profession that provide me with a strong foundation and continued growth within my career. Growth that is rooted in learning and service is ideal and the focus of my professional goals.  My story doesn’t begin in libraries, but in healthcare for almost twenty years. Thus far, I have enjoyed my journey to librarianship which included MSLS classes at Clarion University, an internship at the University of Pennsylvania’s library and a fun and exciting role as a Youth Services Librarian for New Castle County Public Libraries.  

Currently, I have the pleasure of working as a Reference Librarian in two academic libraries, Wilmington University and West Chester University, and the health library of Delaware Health and Social Services. Within these settings my learning and service continues, with various patron populations, as I assist with research inquiries, outreach and instruction.

I have in each of my library settings witnessed the far reaching benefits of the efforts of passionate and service orientated librarians. I am inspired by their willingness to serve local communities, causes and organizations, and even fellow library staff to help meet the needs for education and support. I believe the role of ACRL/DVC Board secretary will provide me with an opportunity to not only participate in service initiatives that benefit the library community but subsequently benefit the larger scholarly and local communities. I thank you in advance for your consideration of my inquiry.

Rachel Fager

Rachel Fager is currently the Technical Services Technician at Kutztown University, where she has worked since 2016. Prior to this she worked at Delaware County Community College in Integrated Enrollment Services and as the Information Specialist/Circulation Coordinator for Library Services. She served as co-chair of the TCLC Circulation Interest Group (2013-2014). She is a recent graduate of Drexel University’s MLIS program.

I am honored to run for Secretary of ACRL DVC, and I am confident that I have the skills to fulfill the duties of the position. In the course of my career, I have created training materials, documented procedures, and developed improved workflows, all of which require clear and concise communication. On numerous occasions, I have collaborated with colleagues to plan and complete large-scale projects, which necessitates strong initiative and outstanding problem solving skills. In my current position, I compile statistics and catalog materials, tasks which require consistent and ongoing attention to detail. I am excited to use my abilities in support of the ACRL DVC community, and I have a great appreciation for all that ACRL DVC does to support library and information professionals. As Secretary, my skills and energy will help to support the community and aid in the effective and efficient performance of my duties. I look forward to working with other Board Members to promote information-sharing and professional growth. Thank you for your consideration.

Meaghan Moody

Meaghan is the Teaching & Learning Librarian at the University of Pennsylvania Libraries. She supports instruction and programming around a range of technologies in the Libraries’ high-tech, collaborative learning commons. Her research interests include critical librarianship, inclusive learning spaces, accessibility, community engagement, and the digital humanities.

Serving as ACRL/DVC’s Secretary, would allow me to build relationships with colleagues across institutions and to more purposefully deepen my engagement in the field. A primary focus of my work with the Penn Libraries concerns radical inclusivity. As a new librarian, I seek to examine our academic institutions critically to better understand potential barriers and what facilitates or impedes access, equity, and diversity. As a Chapter Officer, I would like to engage with other librarians in the area on these topics, contribute to a forward-thinking vision for libraries through the Chapter’s educational programming and events, and help foster connections between the chapter and other likeminded organizations and individuals. Through my experiences presenting at last spring’s program and volunteering on the Chapter’s Social Committee, I have already started to form relationships and take part in conversations surrounding significant topics with other librarians. Acting as Secretary would permit me to continue these important conversations and also play a role in the Chapter’s efforts to engage in lifelong learning and professional development. I would especially be excited to collaborate on new projects that build upon the considerations and spirit of last fall’s “Librarians as Advocates program.” Thank you for the nomination and your consideration.

Director at Large

Jessica Brangiel 

I am the Electronic Resources Management Librarian at Swarthmore College and am currently serving a 2-year term on the ACRL DVC board as secretary. In addition, I serve as the DVC Chapters Council representative to ACRL national. I am active with the ACRL College Libraries Section (CLS) and currently convene the Universal Accessibility Interest Group (UAIG).

I greatly enjoy serving as a member of the ACRL DVC board. I have had the opportunity to help plan and implement a variety of professional development programs as well as provide communication and outreach to our members through board meeting minutes and the ACRL DVC members listserv. In the ACRL DVC Director at Large position I would like to continue to work with the members to develop affordable and meaningful local professional development opportunities. Serving on the board has given me the opportunity to learn and grow as a professional. In the Director at Large position I will work to extend those opportunities to all chapter members by continuing to work in the areas the chapter has excelled including mentorship, professional development and providing funds for travel grants. In addition, there is opportunity to expand engagement through activities such as research coaching, journal club/circles as well as social and volunteer opportunities.This chapter is made up of amazing members and I have been fortunate to get the opportunity to meet and work with new friends. I look forward to continuing to serve the ACRL DVC chapter in the Director at Large position.  

Sarah Hartman-Caverly 

Sarah Hartman-Caverly is a reference and instruction librarian at Penn State Berks, where she liaises with Engineering, Business, and Computing programs.  Prior to her current appointment, Sarah was a reference and instruction librarian at a community college, and was an electronic resources manager and library system administrator in both community and small liberal arts college settings. She started her academic library career as a serials assistant in 2007, earning her MS(LIS) and MSIS from Drexel University in 2011.

Sarah’s research examines the compatibility of human and machine autonomy from the perspective of intellectual freedom. Recent contributions include “Version Control” (ACRL 2017), “Our ‘Special Obligation’: Library Assessment, Learning Analytics, and Intellectual Freedom” (ACRL 2018), “‘TRUTH Always Wins’: Dispatches from the Information War” (forthcoming ACRL 2019), and “’Human Nature is Not a Machine’: On Liberty, Attention Engineering, and Learning Analytics” (forthcoming Library Trends 2019).

ACRL DVC is invaluable to Sarah’s development as a librarian and scholar. In particular, the spring and fall programs provide opportunities to gather with local colleagues, learn about initiatives at other libraries, and to field test new ideas with a friendly audience. Sarah served as a panelist and lightning round presenter at two recent ACRL DVC programs, and also contributed to its resume review service. As a director at large, Sarah will collaborate with the other officers to continue ACRL DVC’s strong tradition of facilitating professional development, information sharing, and networking opportunities for library staff in its service region.

Greg Laynor 

Greg Laynor is Medical Librarian at Temple University’s Krausz Library of Podiatric Medicine and Ginsburg Health Sciences Library, serving as liaison to the Schools of Podiatry and Pharmacy. He was previously at the Atwood Library of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. He serves on the Temple Libraries’ Public Programs Working Group, the editorial board of The Reference Librarian, and the ACRL Delaware Valley Chapter’s Social Committee. He has a PhD in English from the University of Washington and an MSLS from Clarion University. Before becoming a librarian, Greg taught literature, writing, and media studies at several universities.

I would be honored to serve on the Board of the ACRL Delaware Valley Chapter for a three-year term as a Director at Large. On the Board, I would be dedicated to helping maintain and develop our chapter’s educational programs, library student stipends, mentoring initiatives, and advocacy efforts. Currently, serving on the chapter’s Social Committee, I have helped initiate and plan what we hope will be a series of social events extending from the discussions of the ACRL Delaware Valley Chapter Fall 2018 Program theme of “librarians as advocates.” The first of these events is a chapter happy hour hosted in support of Books Through Bars, an organization that distributes free books to incarcerated people in our region.

By serving on the Board, I would like to further develop programs and discussions related to our roles as advocates in our libraries, institutions, and communities. I would also like to develop programs and discussions about library labor and the changing social, technological, and ecological circumstances in which we work.

Katie Quirin Manwiller

My name is Katie Quirin Manwiller and I have been the Evening Public Services and Assessment Librarian at DeSales University since December 2017. I provide instruction and reference services to a wide range of students: traditional undergraduates, returning adult students, and graduate students. This is my first academic librarianship position, having previously worked as the University and Ridge Archivist at Mercyhurst University. I have been active in other volunteer communities, including as the Communications Chair for the Northwest Pennsylvania Alliance for Response and the Preservation Specialist for Sigma Sigma Sigma National Sorority Archives.

I hope to become the next Director at Large for the ACRL DVC in order to expand my professional knowledge and relationships. As an early-career librarian, I am eager to learn from my colleagues. The small yet active community of the DVC will allow me to work closely with academic librarians, gaining experience in serving for a professional organization and new skills to apply to my work. In addition, I want to be a Director at Large to create opportunities that help fellow librarians succeed, such as the DVC grant programs. As a Director, I would like to sponsor programming that promotes inclusive and equitable services and addresses student need. I believe that providing funding opportunities and diverse programming advances both the careers of DVC members and the communities that benefit from their librarianship. As such, I hope to grow not only as an individual but also as an organization as your next Director at Large.