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Number of years as resident
6
I have recently been appointed to serve on the Milan Public Library Board of Trustees in an interim position for the remainder of 2025, and I'm looking forward to serving our community and gaining valuable experience in this role. In my professional life, I have excelled in my position doing medical administration at Arbor Hospice, and I have been quickly promoted to higher levels of responsibility, which I believe shows my excellent work ethic and dedication. I plan to bring these qualities to the position should I be elected. Lastly, I am also a former history major and have a deep appreciation for the importance of a library within a community.
Should I be elected, my goal is to work with the rest of the Board of Trustees, the Director, and staff to ensure the library continues to be a haven of knowledge, compassion, and a diversity of ideas. I will pour my time into helping the library implement new events and grow their collection and resources to meet the needs of our changing town, country, and world.
I think the greatest challenge facing the library today is the potential defunding of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), which would result in the loss of important resources such as MeLCat. I want to do my part to make sure the Milan Public Library continues to be a vibrant part of our town in the face of the challenges posed by current federal policies.
Libraries are still relevant in the digital age because they are the foundation of our community. They are centers for knowledge and also community building. In my own personal experience, the library provided a meaningful point of connection for my family when we moved to Milan in 2018 and helped us to feel grounded in our new hometown. Public libraries are welcoming spaces where community members can participate without judgement, form new friendships, and discover their passions. That personal interaction is even more important to maintain and grow in a world where we spend so much time isolated behind screens.
Campaign Phone
5153219962
Number of years as resident
6
I have a Bachelors in Child and Family Services from Iowa State University and a Masters in Social Work from the University of Michigan. I have an extensive background working with individuals and families. I have held executive director positions with early childhood ensuring all children were ready for success in school, as well as child abuse and substance use prevention agencies where we make sure all children live happy healthy childhoods. I have always been a huge proponent of intergenerational programming and supporting our aging population. I also have successful experiences with grant writing for a multitude of topic areas.
1. Supporting the library staff and its patrons through adequate resources and funding. Researching and writing grants and prioritizing our projects.
2. Expanding community connections and outreach to serve diverse needs and voices. Connections matter and are a key to people having a sense of purpose and belonging.
3. Ensuring there is equitable access to books, technology, and educational programs. This would include addressing our space needs for people of all ages and needs.
After speaking with community members and library staff, as well as my personal experiences utilizing the library, I think one of the greatest challenge today for our library is ensuring our library is financially supported in a way that fully meets its needs. This will require the Board and staff to work together to identify its priorities, research funding opportunities, build relationships with foundations and funders, and submit quality proposals that will be selected for funding. An example of this will be to update the computers so they are able to run the programs with appropriate updates that ensures user safety and security, and proper functionality.
Especially in our rural communities, with the cost and reliability of internet, or lack there of, libraries are very relevant to our residents. It’s a place for people to connect - young parents meeting other young parents, a place for resources to be shared and explored, and a place for technology access. People still use printed books and we are very fortunate to have several ways to access printed material that may not be located in our specific library. Our librarians are excellent at finding the resources and tools we need to do our work and help our kids with school projects.
Number of years as resident
11 years
B .S. in English Lang.& American Lit.- Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, MI
State of Michigan - Secondary Teaching Certification
All Subjects Grades 7-8, English & Dance- Grades 9-12
Graduate Studies - California Institute of the Arts
Valencia, CA
M.F.A. Cum laude -Dance Performance - University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MI
Guest Instructor- Grades K- 12, Milan Community Schools
Milan, MI
Coordinator of Dance Studies - Eastern New Mexico University Portales, NM
Assistant Professor of Dance - University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg, MS
Assistant Professor of Dance - Cal Poly State University
San Luis Obispo, CA
Teacher- Pre-K through HS Dance- University Liggett School
Grosse Pointe Woods, MI
Teacher - Physical Education & Dance, Assistant Varsity Wrestling Coach- South Lyon High School. South Lyon, MI
Current- Instructor- Lifetime Fitness Program
University of Michigan School of Kinesiology, Ann Arbor, MI
Lifelong educator and learner.
I will support the goals of the library board through community outreach and supporting staff objectives. I have extensive experience in producing interdisciplinary programming, particularly in fine and performing arts.
Funding will always be a challenge to grow library fiscal health.
Community pressures for appropriate offerings or restrictions on subject matter is a concern.
The Library can be a hub of learning by offering programing to the community that will spark the search for additional knowledge and learning opportunities. The library can also serve as the beacon of veracity to combat the plethora of misinformation available on social media.
Candidate has not yet responded.
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