Member Spotlights

FEbruary 2026

How long have you been a CALA member? What motivated you to join and how is your experience so far? 

I have been a CALA member for about 5 (or so) years. I first joined as a 2020 Spectrum Scholar and was largely what I call a “list-serv lurker”, where I get the emails but don’t really engage beyond that (which is a completely valid way to go about things). I moved to New York City to start my first librarian role and wanted to meet other AANHPI librarians. When I mentioned interest in getting involved to a CALA member at the 2022 JCLC Conference, I got an email from the 2023-24 CALA Northeast Chapter President, Edward Junhao Lim, asking if I might be interested in serving as the chapter’s Treasurer. I said yes and the rest is history. I have served as the 2023-24 Chapter Treasurer, 2024-25 Chapter Vice President/President-Elect, and now as the 2025-26 Chapter President. I am really glad that I said yes because serving as an officer helped me meet CALA members in the Northeast area, build relationships with regional NALcos, and feel a sense of community outside of my institution. It always brightens my day when I get to see someone I know from the NALcos at an event or conference, so please say hello!

Please share a bit about yourself, your ethnic background, upbringing, and anything else you’d like to include. 

I was born and raised in San Francisco, California. My family is from Zhongshan, China (shoutout to my fellow Cantonese speakers). I completed my BA in Biology at Kenyon College, MS in Library and Information Sciences at University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, and my MA in Higher Education and Student Affairs at New York University. I was a 2020 ALA Spectrum Scholar and a 2023 ALA Emerging Leader, sponsored by the Social Responsibilities Round Table.

What inspired and led you to the library field?

While I was an undergraduate working in a microbiology lab, I had a second job working as a reference desk intern at the library. I really loved helping students, particularly encouraging my STEM classmates to engage more with library databases. When I dropped out of my PhD program in microbial pathogenesis, I was lost and not sure what career path I wanted to pursue. I worked in food service and science museums. Eventually, I found my way back to academic libraries as a copy cataloger. I learned that I enjoyed both work in patron-facing and behind-the-scenes services and decided to go to library school.

Any advice or words of encouragement to help others maintain a healthy work life? 

One of the best pieces of advice I got early in my career is that there are a lot of opportunities out there, so prioritize what holds value for you and say no to those that do not. There will be opportunities that can be exciting and interest you, but might not serve you in the ways you need. Vocational awe causes many library workers to take on more because each opportunity feels like a way to support our communities, but taking on too much causes burnout. I still struggle with consistently following this advice. As someone who grew up in a low-income household, I can be prone to a scarcity mindset, where I fear saying no removes an opportunity and I miss out. It is important to remember that you are talented and bring a lot to the table. These opportunities will come back around when you have more capacity.

What is your favorite comfort meal? 

It is so hard to narrow down into a single comfort meal because it depends on what I’ve eaten recently. There are some days when a bowl of roast duck wonton noodle soup soothes the soul, days when I crave my dad’s stir-fried ginger scallion Dungeness crab with tomalley, days when I want a Mission-style carne asada super burrito and pupusas revueltas, and other days when an excessive amount of French fries will scratch that itch. 

How do you unwind after a long day? 

After a long day, depending on my energy levels, I like to go for a walk while listening to music or podcasts to decompress, get a tasty meal/treat, and curl up on the couch or in bed, recapping the day’s event to a loved one.

Is there anything else you’d like to share? 

Please feel free to reach out if you’re curious about getting more involved with CALA, STEM librarianship, or want to chat!