This year, six participants of the Pennsylvania Library Association’s Leadership Academy (PALS) have been given the opportunity to identify and write articles about the work of libraries for publication in outlets such as the Office of Commonwealth Libraries’ Compendium and the Pennsylvania Library Association’s (PaLA) Bulletin. The group is also looking to issue a newsletter highlighting how outside organizations help libraries heighten awareness of their available programs and resources throughout the state.

Shortly after their first meeting in June, the team compiled and submitted their first article to the Bulletin and have plans to interview past scholarship recipients and explore exciting library news from around Pennsylvania.

Each of these articles will showcase innovative initiatives and community collaborations which support patrons and strengthen local areas. Ultimately, the group’s goals for the remainder of their project term are to reach library, community and general audiences with word of Pennsylvania libraries and their accomplishments.

Mentored by Dana Farabaugh, the group includes Tess Wilson, Frank Conserette, Tammy Garrison, Sam Bardarik, Meghan Lynch, and Stephanie Bragg.

 

 

Frank Conserette is the Research & Instruction Librarian for Business at the University of Scranton’s Weinberg Memorial Library. He is currently reading Hillbilly Elegy by J. D. Vance.

 

 

 

 

Meghan Lynch is the Business Outreach Librarian at the Chester County Library in Exton, PA. She is currently reading Transcription by Kate Atkinson.

 

 

 

 

Tess Wilson is an Outreach Librarian at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. She is currently reading Heartland by Sarah Smarsh.

 

 

 

 

Tammy Garrison is the Executive Director of Annie Halenbake Ross Library in Lock Haven. She spent 10 years as a librarian in Kansas after receiving her MLIS from the University of Pittsburgh. Her first novel, The Twisted Blackmailer, is available now. She is currently reading Total Cat Mojo by Jackson Galaxy.

 

 

 

Sam Bardarik is an Information Services Librarian at Jefferson (Philadelphia University + Thomas Jefferson University). She is currently reading the Earthsea series by Ursula K. Le Guin.

 

 

 

Stephanie Bragg is the Children’s Librarian at Paoli Library in the suburbs of Philadelphia. She spends her days planning fun new activities at the library and chasing around her two little boys at home. She is currently reading El Deafo by Cece Bell (a Newbery Honor Book) for the Just for Fun! Book Club.

 

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written and submitted by the PALS team!