I started my current position at the Fort Lee Public Library in January of 2020.

By now we all know what would happen in a few short months but at the time, we had no notion how the world was about to change. I had about two and a half months to get to know my new staff and my new library before the COVID pandemic struck and we had to close the library. Afterwards, I learned how to supervise staff who I hardly knew and who were all working from home. I had to learn to adjust to changes very quickly as well as learn about the library I was working for, all from home. When we switched to being back in-person at the library, I had even more to learn.

These challenges really molded me into the supervisor I am today. One that goes with the flow and rolls with the punches. Every day brings a new challenge that I am ready and excited to meet.

The Fort Lee Public Library is a very busy library with 800-1,000 visitors a day. The Childrens Room and the Teen Space are our busiest spaces and see the most attendance at programs. While I might no longer plan and run every program we put on, I really enjoy encouraging my staff to get creative and meet our programming goals.

I’m very proud of all we are able to accomplish. Our Sewing Stories program series won the NJLA Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion award in 2023. We host an annual Lunar New Year celebration that is so big we have moved it to the Fort Lee Community Center in order to accommodate the 2,000 attendees. I am always looking to bring in great guest speakers, authors, and performers each quarter to the library in addition to our great slate of programs. Anything with animals always goes over well and we’ve had everything from insects (including an insect taxidermy program!) to mini horses, wolves, and penguins visit the library. We are expanding our programming for families with children under 5 years old and searching for new ways to provide resources and connections for families with children with special needs. Our teen staff won a grant to work with the teens on providing more programming around mental health and safe spaces for teens in 2024. All of this while we are actively working towards, planning, and fundraising for a library renovation.

I am lucky to have great staff in my department. I couldn’t have asked for a better, more supportive staff that works so well together. Being a supervisor has proven to be a grand adventure that put me right where I want to be. I get to have a seat at the table when important decisions are being made, I am trusted to train and supervise all staff which I really enjoy, and I get to connect with all our patrons through programming, interactions at the desk, and outreach.