Keynote
Matthew DeLaney
As director of Tully Free Library, Matt DeLaney worked with a small team to transform a rural, underfunded library into a vibrant community center. In less than a year, Tully Free developed an online grocery store, created a weekly farmer’s market, launched a district wide enrichment program, opened a mobile library branch on the beach, and ran a student-led newsroom out of the library. Matt is now the director of the Manlius Library in central New York. Recognized as a 2013 Star Library in LJ, Manlius Library works with local partners to inspire greatness in its community. Matt believes that with the correct balance of passion, imagination, and ambition, librarians can be a catalyst for social change and transform communities.
Program Speakers
Angelique Simmons
Angelique Simmons is the Chief Librarian at the Ft. Bragg, NC military base library and has more than ten years of experience as a librarian working in North Carolina, Maryland, Washington D.C., Virginia and Germany. Angelique obtained her Master of Library Science degree from North Carolina Central University and will receive her Master of Business Administration degree, May 2014. Angelique’s expertise involves providing fun, engaging and interactive programming for children, all the while showing them the importance of early literacy.
Natasha Dass-Ford
Natasha Dass-Ford is a Youth Services Manager at the Cumberland County Public Library & Information Center with over 11 years’ experience in children and teen programming. Natasha obtained her Master of Library Science degree from North Carolina Central University as a recipient of the IMLS Diversity Scholars Program. Natasha has been awarded the Exceptional Employee Award twice during her years at the library because of her significant contributions towards children and teen programming.
Kimberly Lord
Kimberly Lord is a Library Associate at the Cumberland County Public Library & Information Center with over 11 years’ experience creating and developing engaging programs that promote early literacy and the importance of libraries to both children and teens. Kimberly obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology which has been very useful in helping her develop programs that stimulate and engage the minds of children and teens. Kimberly is currently working on developing a library campaign towards the prevention of bullying.
Syntychia Kendrick-Samuel
Ms. Kendrick-Samuel has been working in the field of public librarianship since 2001. She is currently the Head of Teen Services at Uniondale Public Library. She’s authored several articles and essays about young adult programming, Junior Friends’ groups and her experiences as an African-American Librarian.
Sarah Houghton
Sarah Houghton is best known as the author of the award-winning LibrarianInBlack.net. She is also the Director for the San Rafael Public Library. Sarah is a big technology nerd and believes in the power of libraries to change lives. Combined, they make a fearsome cocktail.
Vanessa Christman
Vanessa Christman recently accepted the gig of Assistant Director for the San Rafael Public Library and prior to that was the Director of the Dixon Public Library District (California) and a public law librarian. Frequently looking outside of libraries for inspiration, she once developed a library customer service training program based on the organizational culture of popular delicatessen.