Mentor Profiles

Current Position: Library Consultant - Library Strategies, Retired, Schlow Centre Region Library 

Chapter: Juniata Conemaugh 

Bio: I was the Library Director for Schlow Centre Region Library (State College) for 11 years, and also worked in Dauphin County libraries prior to retirement in 2021, my 50th year as a library employee.  I currently do part-time consulting and facilitation with Library Strategies and other colleagues, so am still active in our field.  I am willing to mentor 1-2 library directors who need a resource, second opinion or "scream room," for such challenges as  HR issues, board problems, strategic planning, Friends group cooperation, fundraising, advocacy, book bans or whatever you didn't learn in library school!  I have previously been a mentor and District Center Administrator, and understand the value of personal contacts in professional success.  I am a past president and conference chair of PaLA.   

Current Position: Assistant Director of Public Services, Monroeville Public Library

Chapter: Southwest

Bio: I have been a librarian for nearly 18 years, working at the same suburban public library where I got my start!  I was originally hired as a Teen Services Librarian, and spent 15 years doing teen programming and teen collection development, as well as working at our reference desk. As an assistant director, I now spend much of my time working on policy, meetings, fundraising, and grants -- with occasional programs and desk time to balance it out. I'm a fan of sci-fi, comic books, and Sherlock Holmes, and love that my job occasionally allows me to share those interests through programming and book displays! 

Current Position: Director, Fleetwood Area Public Library

Chapter: Lehigh Valley

Bio: I have been a director in Berks County libraries since 2012. I love that libraries are in a position to help people with all sorts of things- recreational reading, socializing & learning through programs, learning English, applying for jobs, and so much more. I’m family oriented, patient, and love learning new things. Hobbies include traveling with the family, reading, crossword puzzles, and I’m currently teaching myself to crochet! 

Current Position: Library Acquisitions and Outreach Specialist, Pennsylvania College of Technology 

Chapter: West Branch

Bio: I have worked in a variety of library sizes and settings, small and large, rural and urban. Areas of expertise are outreach, collection development, and administration. I enjoy helping others talk through problems/obstacles and come up with solutions. 

Current Position: Research and Instruction Librarian, University of Scranton

Chapter: Northeast

Bio: I became a degreed librarian in 2012, but have been in and out of libraries since my first work study job in 2004. I have worked in all aspects of academic librarianship from working the circ desk and other front end activities, to technical services, resource management, instruction, and even as a library director. I love the Association and our work and believe programs like this help us maintain and cultivate a healthy and engaged membership. I participated in the mentorship program as a mentee and found the process very rewarding and would love to give back. I know requests from academic mentees may be few, so I want to put out there that I would also be happy to be paired with a public librarian - I believe we have a lot to learn from each other!

Current Position: Library Director, Meyersdale Public Library

Chapter: Southwest

Bio: I have worked in my rural/small library since 2004, and I've been Library Director since 2017, at which time I started my library science studies at Clarion. Our library serves nineteen rural municipalities with a service population of slightly under 19,000 people.  Our library has an especially strong local history and genealogy department, which I love, and which draws people from far away with Somerset County roots. 

Current Position: Recently Retired Director and System Administrator, Public Library of Union County

Chapter: South Central

Bio:  I remember a television performer who mesmerized viewers by spinning multiple plates on flexible rods with the goal of keeping all plates in motion. This feat was the ultimate example of managing priorities! Today's librarian has many plates or priorities to keep in motion at the same time - programs and services, personnel, physical plant, policies, fund raising, board and community relations, marketing, and technology. I look forward to sharing three decades of experience in administrative roles in public libraries to guide the conversation and explore the solutions. 

Current Position: Librarian II Reference, Reading Public Library

Chapter: Lehigh Valley

Bio: I have been a librarian for going on 9 years (3 in school libraries and 5 in public). I have worked as a media assistant, technology manager, branch manager, adult and family programmer, physical collections development (adult), circulation, ILL, supervisor, and with e-collections and database development (adult). I am currently serving as front line staff at a large inner city library but have also worked in a beyond rural library in Wyoming. When I am not working I like to knit, read, paint, fish, hike, explore my city, and watch nature and hospital shows. 

Current Position: Executive Director, Monroeville Public Library

Chapter: Southwest

Bio: I have been a library director since 2011, first at a smaller library in a rural county and now in a larger library in a suburban county.  I believe in creating a positive culture, empowering staff, breaking down barriers to service, and making the library an active part of the community.  I have been a member of PaLA since 2011 and have found it to be invaluable to my career, networking, and more. 

Current Position: Chief Operating Officer, Allegheny County Library Association

Chapter: Southwest

Bio: I am passionate about inspiring and empowering people to excel, encouraging creative solutions to build consensus and mentoring to build confidence and accountability with individuals in the field. Passionate about advocacy, I love to share that knowledge and raise awareness of the important work that libraries do in their communities and to motivate others to advocate on behalf of their libraries. 

Current Position: Executive Director, Altoona Area Public Library 

Chapter: Juniata Conemaugh 

Bio: Jen found her calling in library services as a work study student in the mid 90's.  Since then she has held various positions including circulation aide, Children's Services Coordinator, and Outreach Services Coordinator. She has been serving as the Executive Director of the Altoona Area Public Library since 2011. Service to the Pennsylvania Library Association has included JC Chapter Chair, Legislative Committee, Conference Committees, Director-At-Large and 2022 President. Jen enjoys cooking and baking, spending time with family, volunteering at her daughter's school, and watching Hallmark movies with her cat. 

Current Position: Library Manager, East Shore Area Library - Dauphin County Library System

Chapter: South Central 

Bio: I am an energetic and motivated librarian who believes in providing access to all. I have several years in experience managing library staff and volunteers.  I am passionate about helping immigrants and refugees - as a first generation American, the library allowed me to stay afloat at school, providing me resources and tools my parents could not afford. I've only lived in PA for 3 years - so PA surroundings are fairly still new to me. I've also been a mentee. 

Current Position: Executive Director, Lititz Public Library

Chapter: South Central

Bio: My personal motto is “It depends.” I believe we live in a world of gray, and understanding how to navigate that is what makes life and work fun. I am profoundly curious and believe encountering different perspectives is what allows for the greatest degree of knowledge. Being a director is different than being a librarian, and anyone pursuing a director position should know that. 

Current Position: County Coordinator, Cambria County Library System

Chapter: Southwest

Bio: As a mentor, Barb looks forward to helping people set themselves up for rewarding work and longterm success. Barb offers a robust amount of skills from marketing and fundraising, to HR and recruitment; collection development, cataloging, purchasing, and project management. As someone working with a variety of new and established librarians, Barb knows what it takes to be successful in the field. 

Current Position: Trustee, Public Library Board for Haverford Township Free Library

Chapter: Southeast

Bio: For over 20 years I enjoyed a career in academic libraries, most recently as a Library Director.  I retired from that role in 2022 at which time I began serving on the Board of Trustees for our public library which is undergoing a building renovation.  In addition to my experience in library management, administration, and organizational development, I have been involved in the stewardship of data and digital initiatives, the planning of new library spaces and building renovations, the implementation and support of library technologies, developing staff and building customer-service oriented teams.  I have served as a PaLA mentor since 2021.

Current Position: Library Director, Avon Grove Library

Chapter: Southeast

Bio: I have 30 years experience working in public libraries, 22 of those in leadership positions. Having worked in multiple states, in a variety of urban and rural environments, and in libraries of all sizes big, small ,and everything in between, I would very much like to be able to share what I have learned along the way to a mentee. I believe that doing so will also allow me to learn from them. I have served as a mentor with ALA, and look forward to doing so with PaLA. 

Current Position: Director of Library Services, Gingrich Library, Albright College

Chapter: Lehigh Valley

Bio: Denise Shorey has worked in research and college libraries across the country, in both front-line and senior administrative positions. Her interests include trends in academic libraries and higher education, the changing role of academic libraries, and demonstrating the value of libraries. She is passionate about the synergies to be gained by collaboration and campus partnerships. As a manager and leader, she works to bring out the best in people and help them discover their strengths. 

Current Position: CEO, Scranton Public Library

Chapter: Northeast

Bio: I have a MLS from Columbia University. I have been a librarian since 1987. I have worked in a variety of positions including Reference, Technology, and Administration at the Scranton Public Library. In 2016 I left to become Executive Director of Pennsylvania Integrated Library System. In 2019 I returned to the Scranton Public Library as CEO. I am an adjunct faculty member at Northampton Community College where I teach courses in their Library Technical Assistant Program. 

Current Position: District Consultant, Reading Library District/Reading Public Library

Chapter: Lehigh Valley

Bio: Becky is motivated by collaboration and the bigger picture of library services as a whole, with deep commitment and success in helping libraries be effective and professional organizations.  She has a variety of leadership and development experience, and now involvement with support services, in public libraries in eastern PA (Library Director, Adult Programming/Reference Librarian, District Consultant).  A special focus for her is providing support and connection and collaboration, making sure that no feels alone in the wild (but good) world of Pa public librarianship. 

Current Position: Director of Libraries, Lower Merion Library System

Chapter: Southeast

Bio: I started my career as a reference librarian, and later became a branch manager, and then a subject department head specializing in government publications.  I was an administrator for technical services, overseeing cataloging, processing, ordering, and collection development for the Free Library of Philadelphia, and then the Chief of Neighborhood Libraries for the Free Library of Philadelphia for seven years.  Now, I am the Director of Libraries for Lower Merion, overseeing 6 libraries. 

Current Position: Director, Baden Memorial Library

Chapter: Southwest

Bio: Jennifer Woolstrum is Director of Baden Memorial Library in Beaver County.  She is Secretary of the Southwest Chapter and the PALS Committee.  Jennifer is involved in her community serving as President of the Parks and Recreation Board and a school crossing guard.  Jennifer is experienced in programming for all ages and grant writing.  In her spare time, she enjoys reading and spending time with her rescue dog Ollie.