Mentor Profiles

Current Position: Chief Executive Officer, Allegheny County Library Association

Chapter: Southwest

Bio: I have worked in and with various sized public libraries in administrative roles for nearly 25 years. I have a lot of experience in board development and how to work with boards to maintain a positive relationship. My experience is in libraries from various states in various leadership roles, but I started out my work in libraries as a clerk and have always loved everything about libraries. 

Current Position: Data Librarian, Verizon

Chapter: South Central

Bio: As Verizon’s Data Librarian, centered in Data & Analytics Governance, I specialize in building the information structures that connect people with the data they need utilizing taxonomies, ontologies and linked data. I began my librarianship career as a reference librarian and finished working as Cataloging Librarian for the Cumberland County Library System in 2018. I transitioned to doing cataloging & authority control work for several private companies as a Taxonomist before settling where I am now. When I’m not at work, I enjoy painting, crocheting and exploring the East Coast with my family, all of which continually inspire me to find new and creative ways to organize and understand the world around us.

Current Position: Advancement, Cumberland County Library System

Chapter: South Central

Bio: My background in nonprofit management and education has been of great use to me since I transitioned to public library work about 8 years ago. I would be happy to share my experience with others, especially library staffers with responsibility for grant writing and fundraising. 

Current Position: Research and Instruction Librarian, University of Scranton

Chapter: Northeast

Bio: I have been working in libraries off and on since 2004 when I started out as a workstudy and consistently as a professional librarian since 2011. I have worked in every type of college and done just about every role you can think of, including when I was a director. I love libraries of all shapes and sizes and types!  I have had the honor of being on the Association board, and I will serve again starting in 2026 as the 1st VP/President Elect. I have been a mentee and a mentor - I love this program and think it's very worthwhile!

Current Position: Retired, Experienced in Public Libraries, State Libraries, and Federal Agency Libraries

Chapter: Northwest

Bio:  I have over forty years of experience in library management from the local to the federal level.  I began as a public library director and ended as a public library director.  In between, I worked in state libraries and the federal government including the U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Department of Justice, and the Library of Congress.  I have also taught (1) Library Management and (2) Federal Libraries as an adjunct faculty member at the Catholic University of America Department of Library Science.  I have been active in various state library associations, the American Library Association, the Special Libraries Association, the American Association of Law Libraries, and the International Federation of Library Associations.  

Current Position: Youth Services District Consultant Librarian, Montgomery County Library District

Chapter: Southeast

Bio: After 25 years working in school and public libraries, I can still say that librarians have the best jobs in the world! I'm passionate about services to youth and bringing amazing programs to our communities. I enjoy being a part of PaLA's mentorship program because it's important to me that we fully support new staff members in our libraries. If you are in interested in working with youth in a school or public setting, I'd love to connect with you!

Current Position: District Consultant, Bucks County Free Library

Chapter: Southeast

Bio: I've worked in public libraries since 2010, with experience in the gamut of library service and administration. My first professional job at Upper Moreland Free Public Library was in reference, reader's advisory, adult and teen programming, with a focus on technology education for adults. I moved to William Jeanes Memorial Library as Assistant Director, where I supervised a small reference staff, selected adult materials, administered adult library programs and services, and wrote and won grants for the library. My next job was at MCLINC, the consortium to administer the network, ILS and technology backbone for Montgomery County libraries, as the network manager. I now work as District Consultant in Bucks County and focus on system and district administration, and continuing education for library staff.

Current Position: Technology Librarian, Lower Merion Library System

Chapter: Southeast

Bio: I currently serve as the Technology Librarian for the Lower Merion Library System, located in the western suburbs of Philadelphia.  I have been in my current position since May of 2016.  In this role, I support the technology needs of 6 public libraries, one book processing center, and our administrative office which encompasses support and strategic planning for future technology projects.  Prior to that, I was an academic librarian at a small liberal arts college in South Carolina for over 10 years where I did a little bit of everything.  I am passionate about helping those newer to the field find their passions in libraries and librarianship.  I am a 2016 graduate of the Pennsylvania Library Association Academy of Leadership Studies (PALS), and currently serve as a mentor for one of the participant groups this year.

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: Director, Northern Tier Regional Library Association

Chapter: Southwest

Bio: Hello!  I have worked in the library field for 36 years.  I started as a circulation clerk and worked my way up to library Director.  In my career, I have worked at every position at a public library and love them all!  I am eager to share what I have learned.

Current Position: Director of Marketing and Communications, York County Library System

Chapter: South Central 

Bio: I’ve been the Director of Marketing and Communication at York County Libraries since 2016.  Prior to this I've worked in a variety of roles which include medical librarian, Internet and technology trainer, electronic resources librarian, Director of Special Projects, Director of Information Services, Director of Technology Integration and Collections.  I am proud to have served our chapter and association in several exciting positions over my 30-year career as a Librarian and I look forward to stepping up to support our profession, libraries, and all of the staff and volunteers who love Pennsylvania Libraries. 

Current Position: Director of Library Services, Misericordia University

Chapter: Northeast

Bio: Natalie Kulick is the Director of Library Services at Misericordia University. She holds a Doctorate in Education with a focus on Higher Education Leadership. Her professional interests include fostering equitable and supportive academic environments that prioritize workplace well-being, guided by the U.S. Surgeon General’s Framework for Workplace Mental Health and Well-Being. Drawing from her research on women leaders and caregiving, she is dedicated to cultivating organizational cultures rooted in balance, empathy, and inclusion. Natalie is also passionate about aligning library initiatives with institutional goals to enhance student success and faculty engagement.

Current Position: Member Support Coordinator, PALCI

Chapter: Southwest

Bio: Jackie Laick is the Member Support Coordinator at PALCI, where she supports academic libraries through resource sharing programs, systems, and services. She brings 15 years of experience in public, academic, and consortial librarianship with a strong focus on library systems and user support. Her work reflects a commitment to strengthening library communities and expanding access to information. Jackie actively contributes to the profession in Pennsylvania as a member of the PA Forward(R) Training Team and as a mentor for the 2025 PALS Leadership Academy. She holds a BA in History from Wheeling Jesuit University and an MLIS from the University of Pittsburgh.

Current Position: Executive Director, Quarryville Library Center

Chapter: South Central

Bio: Michele Lefler is the Executive Director of the Quarryville Library Center, where she leads strategic planning, community engagement, and advocacy efforts to strengthen access to information and support lifelong learning. With a background in both library leadership and nonprofit strategy, she brings experience in navigating funding challenges, building partnerships, and supporting staff growth. Michele is passionate about helping emerging library professionals find their voice, develop confidence in their leadership, and create meaningful community impact. She believes mentorship is about conversation, collaboration, and shared growth.

Current Position: Reference Librarian, Scranton Public Library

Chapter: Northeast

Bio:I have been a Reference Librarian at the Scranton Public Library since 2020. In that time, I have developed the Tales from the Albright podcast, helped maintain the library's local history collection, assist patrons with research, and developed programs. My background includes obtaining a master's degree in library and information science with a concentration in archive management from Simmons University in 2016. Currently, I am helping with a long-term digitization project to help make more local history resources available to patrons.

Current Position: Library Director, DuBois Public Library

Chapter: Juniata Conemaugh

Bio: Rebecca McTavish has been the Director of the DuBois Public Library for 16 years, serving a rural public library through building expansions, COVID pandemic, and many staff changes. Prior to DuBois Public Library, Rebecca served as Children's Library Technician at Schlow Centre Region Library providing year round programs for all ages.

Current Position: Library Director, Avon Grove Library

Chapter: Southeast

Bio: I have been library director at Avon Grove Library in Southeast Chester County since April 2023, and was previously deputy chief of Neighborhood Library Services at Enoch Pratt Library in Baltimore. I have worked in various positions in diverse small, medium, and large public library systems and communities for 25 years from cities such as Philadelphia and Baltimore to smaller areas (as in my present position).  Having gained such a diversity and breadth of experiences I hope to share them as a mentor, and at the same time keep learning from a mentee.

Current Position: Director, Punxsutawney Memorial Library

Chapter: Northwest

Bio: I came late to the library world.  I was a youth services librarian in PA and then UT for 8 years, then returned to PA and have been a Director for 5 years.  

Current Position: Head of Youth Services, Radnor Memorial Library

Chapter: Southeast

Bio: I have been working as the Head of Youth Services at Radnor Memorial Library in Delaware County for 14 years. I supervise one full-time and one part-time librarian, who I work with to provide library services for children age birth to 18 and their families. I've worked as a youth services librarian both in Pennsylvania and Virginia for a total of 18 years. I received my MLIS from Florida State University in 2007. I enjoy reading YA fantasy and historical fiction, and I'm especially interested in the development of early literacy through play and making the library a welcoming space for the whole community. 

Current Position: Program Manager, Ephrata Public Library

Chapter: South Central

Bio: With over 20 years of public library experience, I have worked in just about every aspect of libraries, including circulation, reference, interlibrary loan, bookkeeping, programming and as library director. I currently serve on the PA Forward Training & Steering Committees. I love meeting librarians from across the state and sharing my knowledge with them. 

Current Position: Assistant Professor & Education Librarian, McNairy Library @Millersville University

Chapter: South Central

Bio: I spent 13 years in school libraries and have been at Millersville since 2016. I have been an adjunct instructor for four universities and held a number of leadership roles in local and state level organizations. I have a lot of experience with professional development.

Current Position: Library Supervisor II, Library of Accessible Media for                         Pennsylvanians

Chapter: Southeast

Bio: I have worked in libraries for over 20 years, with the majority of my time working in public libraries in Pennsylvania. I prefer working with older adults and have a passion for accessibility and programming for this age group. I grew up in rural Alabama, but I am a city person at heart.

Current Position: Head of Youth Services, Carbondale Public Library

Chapter: Northeast

Bio: I was a teacher for over twenty years.  I genuinely love helping others find their strengths and feel confident in something that they hopefully love doing.  I was lucky enough to be offered my dream job of working with children in a library setting, and I have had wonderful staff members to train and encourage me.  I would really like to pay that forward.

Current Position: Director of Libraries, Lower Merion Library System

Chapter: Southeast

Bio: I have worked in public libraries for 30 years; most of my career has been with the Free Library of Philadelphia where I worked in branch libraries and served as branch head at several neighborhoods across the city.  I also served as a department head at Parkway Central Library, as an assistant chief in acquisitions and collections development, and was the administrator heading up the neighborhood libraries for 7 years.  More recently I am the Director of Libraries for Lower Merion Township, serving a 6-library suburban system.  My professional goals include strengthening community engagement to ensure that libraries continue to evolve with the needs and interests of the community.