I have worked in libraries since 1994, and am currently the Director of the Lomira QuadGraphics Community Library. I consult with small public libraries on user experience issues, space use and futureplanning.

I also am the co-founder (with Sarah Jones Cournoyer) of the Center for Public Library Research. There, we aim to facilitate research at the public library level. My own research interests include: praxis in policy, content creation, programming and Youth Services. I also have a strong interest in user-centered librarianship, ethics, marketing, local information, and the arts. My hope is that by visionary policy-building, partnerships and a content creation outlook, libraries can continue to be relevant to the general public in the Information Age.

I was a Youth Services Librarian (and outreach/marketing/adult programmer/media collection developer/web developer, etc.) at the Horicon Public Library for thirteen years, and at the Columbus Public Library before that.

I live in Beaver Dam, a small town of about 15,000 people, though I was born in Dayton, OH. I have a husband and three children, ages 14, 16, and 18. We unschooled* with all of them until 2009–when my younger daughter chose to attend a private school her freshman year. In 2011 the unschooling ceased entirely when my youngest chose to enter public school his freshman year and my eldest daughter started college in 2011. But we’re still unschoolers at heart!

*Unschooling is non-coercive, child-led learning. It is as structured or unstructured as the child wants, follows the interests the child has, and works even when it feels like “all” they do is play videogames!