MillenniaLibrarian: About

Hello and welcome to my blog!

I am a born-and-raised Southern California kid, Long Beach to be exact. Did my undergrad in Santa Fe, New Mexico where I received my B.A. in Creative Writing and Literature in 2011. From there I moved to Oregon for four years, finally landing in Arizona to live with my best friend and her kiddos two weeks before my 25th birthday.

I grew up in a dance studio learning--and eventually teaching--ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, and musical theater. In high school I was very active in dance and theater activities. I quit most of it when I went to college, mostly because my whole performing community was in California and I, suddenly, was not. Also because of a back injury and some reproductive health problems, both of which are becoming increasingly degenerative as I get older. And so, I dedicated myself to my education, finishing a four-year degree in three years. It seemed like a good idea at the time, but college spat me into the real world and directly into a part-time, minimum wage retail position that seems to be the fate of most millennials.

I worked hard in that store, working up to full-timer and supervisor. When I requested a transfer from Oregon to Arizona I was offered a promotion to department manager, which I gratefully took and stayed in for about four months before the pressure almost killed me. My experience with retail management is this: it is a lot of work, and a lot of stress, and very little flexibility, for not enough money or benefits to justify any of it. I had already found a part-time position at the Phoenix Public Library that not only offered several dollars more per hour, but an infinitely more supportive work environment. After a year I was promoted from a desk attendant to Library Assistant, which came with a raise, transfer, and wonderful opportunities to plan programs.

I became an official librarian in March of 2017 when I was hired by Mesa Public Library. I worked there for 3 years until March of 2020, and a lot of this blog is the work I did at that library. Then I took a break, and was hired by Phoenix Public Library in March 2021 and worked there until January of 2023. Both professional positions were in children and youth services, my two favorite programming ages!

I keep this blog for two main reasons: keeping track of my career, and information sharing. If you see anything on this site that you want to learn more about, let me know! I'd be happy to tell you all about my programs, book lists, displays, and storytime songs. I got most of them from others, and am always happy to pass them on to whoever will use and enjoy them.

Note: all pictures of minors were taken with verbal or written permission of their guardian.