Background

Education

Master of Science in Applied Computer Science
Grand Valley State University — December 2021
Allendale, Michigan

Master of Science in Information Studies
The University of Texas at Austin — December 2010
Austin, Texas

Bachelor of Journalism
The University of Texas at Austin — May 2000
Austin, Texas

Skills

  • Drupal content management system
  • WordPress content management system
  • SirsiDynix integrated library system
  • HTML
  • CSS
  • Git
  • Microsoft Office
  • Google Drive
  • Submittable contest management system
  • Beanstack reading program system
  • ReadSquared reading program system
  • SpringShare LibAnswers communication platform
  • Video editing

Work

GRADUATE ASSISTANT
Grand Valley State University Networking and Security Lab — January-May 2021
Allendale, Michigan

  • Configured seven old servers for class and research purposes:
    • Reformatted drives and installed Linux.
    • Set up one machine as RAID 10 storage array.
    • Connected servers to network.
    • Set up Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) for authentication.
    • Enabled Network File Share (NFS) protocol for access to files across machines.
  • Documented hardware, software and configuration process.

WEBMASTER
Kent District Library — 2015-2020
Comstock Park, Michigan

  • Managed library website’s content management system (CMS), including the migration of text and digital files into the Drupal CMS; website received an average of 1.3 million visits annually.
    • Added and updated text and digital assets.
    • Worked with web developer to fix bugs, add features and customize site.
    • Coordinated staff contributions.
  • Administered library’s three WordPress CMS digital properties.
  • Worked with external vendors and I.T. to ensure public access and authentication to nearly 100 electronic resources.
  • Evaluated, configured and deployed library-related software to staff and the public.
  • Advised library staff on digital tools that could help them streamline their workflow and served as troubleshooter for technical issues with the library’s website and online resources.

Projects

  • Reading program software: Managed project rolling out new Beanstack digital platform for patrons to participate in summer reading online. Established project schedule that fit into greater roll-out of library’s reading program, gathered requirements in consultation with summer reading committee, established staff workflows for inputting data, submitted design requests to graphic designer, trained front-line staff and deployed to public.
  • Online ticket system: Recommended and implemented a shift in the library’s system for handling patron requests for recommended reading (known as the “Personalized Picks” service) from an online form submitted by patrons and received as a group email by the Personalized Picks committee of about 10 staff members to an online ticket system to ensure no requests got overlooked, enable easy search and re-use capability and provide access to statistics. Ticket system proved particularly useful during Personalized Picks’ most in-demand time of the year, the winter reading program, when requests skyrocketed from about 10 request a month to about 100 requests a month.
  • Contest management switchover: Assessed and implemented Submittable contest management software for handling a variety of digital content (user info, short story submissions in PDF and Word format, reviewer ratings and judges’ feedback) for library’s annual Write Michigan short story contest, which received nearly 1,000 entries annually. Configured new software and migrated existing settings while communicating about the changeover and providing training to 118 reviewers and 11 judges.
  • Oral history collection: Created a digital collection using the Biblioboard platform for a set of 47 oral histories captured by a local community organization; uploaded the video files, populated the metadata fields and enabled access to the collection from the library website.
  • Streamlined workflow: Improved efficiency of programming staff’s workflow when producing their quarterly library event calendar: Recommended and then trained programming staff, who planned the library’s 7,600 events a year, on how to pull CSV files of events from the library website and then mail-merge that data into a Word template rather than having to rely on their original method of manually copying and pasting individual events and then formatting them in Word.

LIBRARY SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATOR
Moore Memorial Public Library — 2011-2015
Texas City, Texas

  • Designed and maintained the library and city’s website.
  • Maintained the SirsiDynix software used to manage the library’s collection and patron records.
  • Ensured access to online resources such as databases, ebooks and the library catalog.
  • Trained staff and patrons on how to use computers and other technology.
  • Updated the library’s social media.
  • Assisted patrons with research needs and provided reading recommendations.
  • Evaluated library collection, suggesting items for purchase and items to discard.

Projects

  • Historic site redesign: Redesigned the online exhibit for 1947 Texas City Disaster, which featured a collection of digital text and images and chronicled a tragic industrial disaster; the exhibit was frequently referenced by major news outlets including NBC and the New York Post in 2013 when the fertilizer plant in West, Texas, exploded in a similar industrial accident.

  • Library website redesign: Proactively proposed and executed library website redesign, reformatting pages using HTML and CSS to remove the site’s outdated use of Flash menus and organizing digital files, originally a flat hierarchy, into logical folder groupings.

  • Oral history project: Collected the oral histories of eight local citizens who lived in Texas City during World War II, producing digital audio files and transcribed interviews for archival purposes.

PART-TIME REFERENCE LIBRARIAN
Westbank Community Library — 2009-2011
Austin, Texas

  • Responded to patron queries and account issues.
  • Provided patrons assistance with reference questions and reading recommendations.
  • Submitted patron purchase and reserve requests into Biblionix library database software.
  • Searched for and requested interlibrary loan materials.
  • Assisted patrons with the library’s public computer stations and research databases.

GRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT
University of Texas School of Information — January-September 2010

  • Developed and maintained two websites for a faculty member using HTML and CSS.
  • Facilitated a workshop on grant writing for libraries: Researched speakers, created promotional material using Adobe software and marketed event to area libraries.

TEACHING ASSISTANT
University of Texas School of Information — 2008-2009

  • Instructed users of the school’s computer lab on Microsoft Office, web design and desktop publishing.
  • Designed print marketing materials for lab’s technology courses using Adobe software.
  • Created online tutorials using MediaWiki software.

REPORTER
The Tennessean newspaper — 2005-2008
Nashville, Tennessee

  • Researched and wrote more than 230 print and online articles on community news and issues.
  • Shot and edited more than 25 video stories as well as designed two audio slideshows for the paper’s website.
  • Added to and modified articles in the newspaper’s Saxotech enterprise content management system.

ASSISTANT LANGUAGE TEACHER
Japan Exchange and Teaching Program — 2003-2005
Tokushima, Japan

  • Instructed students at two elementary schools, two middle schools and an adult conversation class.
  • Assessed educational needs of Japanese students, developing activities to augment their English curriculum.
  • Designed and maintained the website of Team Taught Pizza, a JET-published educational resource book of lesson plans and activities, using HTML and CSS.

REPORTER
Abilene Reporter-News newspaper — 2000-2003
Abilene, Texas

  • Wrote articles on crime, lifestyle, education and community through interviews and research.