ACL HELFELD SCHOLARS
ACL’s newest group of Dorothy Helfeld scholars will be welcomed at our meeting on September 8, 2017. Below please see their personal introduction:
Jennifer Weisberg:
I have experience working with youth at public libraries for over 10 years. I started out as a PASS after-school aide at Golden Gate Branch at Oakland Public Library in 2006. From there I segued into working as a Library Aide at Oakland Public for 7 years at various branches, often serving the youth. I have worked at West Branch of Berkeley Public Library since 2007 as a library aide. In 2013 I completed the Books for Wider Horizons. I recently completed the children’s programming class at San Jose State University’s iSchool as I work toward my MLIS, and look forward to a career as a youth services librarian upon graduation.
Arin Hailey Reese:
After working for several years as a freelance writer and copy editor for a host of periodicals, websites, and book publishers, I decided to take a hiatus to spend time with my two young children and reevaluate my goals. As I began volunteering in classrooms, libraries, and book fair committees at two elementary schools, I rediscovered my joy in working with kids and decided to launch a career change.
I am currently a student in the MLIS program at San Jose State University and a volunteer story reader for Oakland Public Library’s Books for Wider Horizons outreach program. Bringing weekly story times to two classrooms at Burbank Preschool Center—one a classroom of children with autism and one an integrated general education classroom—has been a fun, challenging, and deeply rewarding experience. I feel privileged to be a part of this program that delivers library-quality early literacy programming to thousands of Oakland preschool students each week
Alyson Runke:
I have always had a passion for working with children. In high school I tutored young children in reading and always made it a game. I’ve known I wanted to be near children in my professional career my whole life, and I hope that after I finish my degree I can motivate a whole new generation to love to read. I am currently in school through the online platform of the University of Arizona to get my MLIS. I am determining just how my career should move forward as a librarian. I work part time at a college and am applying for a part time children’s librarian job at a local elementary school in order to see which path best suits me.
Emily Ferne:
Early in my studies at Diablo Valley College I volunteered at the Library in Juvenile Hall in Martinez California. I went on to receive my Certificate of Achievement in Library Technology. At that time I was in need of full time employment and unable to continue school to get my associates degree. I did not find a library job, but did find employment at a local bookstore. This book store has a sizable children’s section that I was assigned to run. However, the idea of becoming a children’s librarian really solidified for me after having my son. Now being a parent my passion for helping children has deepened as well as my understanding of the importance of children’s literacy and the role libraries play in the lives of children.
I have returned to Diablo Valley College to finish the requirements to receive my Associates in Science in library technology and complete all transfer requirements in order to continue on my path to becoming a children’s librarian. I recently finished up a summer internship with the Contra Costa Library Youth Services department. My focus was working on the Stories To Go and Tinker Truck Projects.
ACL welcomes these wonderful new members who are on the path to becoming children’s librarians. Join us at our September 8, 2017 meeting at 9am at the Oakland Main Library for a breakfast reception welcoming our new Helfeld Scholars.
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