Candidate Questions for YSS Elections

YSS Chair Elect Candidates

Leah Langby

Tell us about yourself: what you do, where you do it and how long you’ve been doing it?

I have been the Library Development and Youth Services Coordinator at the Indianhead Federated Library System for almost 10 years (and it took the first 5 to learn the name of my title by heart).  I work with librarians in the 10 counties in west-central Wisconsin to connect them with resources to serve youth, people who are traditionally underserved, and I also coordinate the continuing education efforts for our system.

Why do you want to be chair of the YSS board?

I am so impressed with the dedication and creativity of the youth services librarians in this state, and YSS as an organization has been doing some really exciting things in the past few years to be more supportive and inclusive of its membership.  I have been involved in WLA in a variety of capacities for the past 10 years, including serving as the chair of the Outreach Services Round Table and the Children’s Book Award committee, a mentor in the WeLead program, a member of the WeLead Task force, and a member of the YSS Board. After serving on the board for a couple of years and watching the excellent leadership of past chairs from close-up, I think I am ready for the challenge of chairing this section.  I’d love to continue YSS’s current trajectory.  I envision increasing the ways members can get involved in the organization in meaningful ways, and providing leadership and support on advocacy, practical ideas, and developing a community of practice to encourage each other to tackle challenging and important issues in the field.

Favorite flavor of ice cream?

Anything with chocolate, as long as there are no marshmallows.

Jenny Wegener

Tell us about yourself: what you do, where you do it and how long you’ve been doing it?

I have been a Children’s Librarian for over 15 years.  I began my career at the Oak Creek Public Library (Milwaukee County) and during that time I was a YSS Director at Large and helped out with the YSS Newsletter.  After taking a short break to stay home with my two kids, I returned to the library world at the Pewaukee Public Library (Waukesha County).  I am now the Youth Services Department Head at Pewaukee.  I have also been active on the Rochester Public Library board (Lakeshores) in my hometown.  I have many responsibilities but the most important thing I do in my job is forge connections with children and families.  I am so very lucky to have a career that allows me to help create readers! 

Why do you want to be chair of the YSS board?

I would like to be Chair because it will give me a chance to give back and help support other librarians.  Children’s services can be a lonely job, especially in small libraries, when there might be only one person in Youth Services.  YSS has a special obligation to its members because we can be the “coworkers” small town library staff may need for inspiration, to hear about new developments, and discover fun and easy programming ideas.   As someone who has been “in the trenches” for a while I can empathize with my fellow librarians, listen to their needs, and work to provide useful tools for them to use. 

Favorite flavor of ice cream?

Hmm, this is almost as hard as choosing a favorite author.  So much depends on time, location, and stress level.  Favorites would include: homemade vanilla, Chocolate Factory darkest chocolate, Kopp’s Macadamia Nut, Culver’s Caramel Cashew, and Uncle Harry’s Lemon Ice. 

YSS Director-at-Large Candidates

Kent Barnard

Tell us about yourself: what do you do, where do you do it and how long have you been doing it?

I’m the director of the Patterson Memorial Library, a wonderful little gem of a library in the small village of Wild Rose.  This is my third year as director.  The best part of my week is hosting Mr. Kent’s Storytime every Wednesday morning.  I’m happy to say my storytimes have evolved greatly since my days as a bookseller for both Borders and Barnes & Noble.

I incorporate early literacy skills and we now sing, do fingerplays, tell stories with the felt board (I use felt, not flannel – I’m kind of a felt snob!), we always count something and have a letter of the day.  I also have a partner and we do puppetry.  I’ve just started using a  flip chart for some of the songs, so the children can see the words as we sing.

My biggest challenge is getting teens into our library.  In our area, once they hit the teenage years they are extremely busy with sports, music, theater, and work!  This is one of the reasons I support YSS – learning from each other!  I look forward to hearing more ideas for teens involvement.

Why do you want to be part of the YSS Board?

As a man serving children, I know that there are very few men in youth services, I think a male viewpoint would prove to be valuable.  In my opinion, early literacy is the greatest gift you can give a child, I’m proud to be a part of ‘my kids’ learning.  The YSS is an important part of WLA.  I have learned a lot attending sessions hosted by YSS, and would like to help the board keep its direction and focus for the future. 

Favorite flavor of ice cream?

My initial answer is tutti-frutti – just because it’s fun to say – the truth, however, is that I love a really good vanilla bean, the kind with real vanilla beans in it.  I’ve never even seen tutti-frutti!

Esther Burns

Tell us about yourself: what do you do, where do you do it and how long have you been doing it?

My name is Esther Burns, and I have been Children’s Librarian at Marion Public Library in Marion, Wisconsin for two years.  I am in charge of all children’s programming, as well as maintaining and ordering materials for the children’s section of the library.  I run two reading programs a year- Summer and Winter, as well as a year-round playgroup on Wednesday mornings, and a Monday evening storytime.  I’m also our resident techie- I am our webmaster for the website and work with our local newspaper in promotion and marketing the library.

Why do you want to be part of the YSS Board?

I am passionate about Youth Services!  I absolutely love working as a Children’s Librarian.  It’s not just a job to me—it’s a total way of life.  I feel very strongly about the importance of early reading for children, and keeping that connection through the young adult years.  Keeping Youth Services librarians connected through this board is something that I would love to do—we are all here to support and help each other and it would be an honor for me to do that!

Favorite flavor of ice cream?

Yikes!  Now THAT’S a hard question.  It depends on what kind of ice cream.  I love Cold Stone Creamery—their sweet cream flavor is THE BEST.  If I were to go to Dairy Queen, I’d probably get either a Peanut Buster Parfait or a Birthday Cake Blizzard.  For plain old ice cream, I love a birthday cake or blueberry cheesecake flavor.  Mmmm.  Ice cream.

Katherine Elchert

Tell us about yourself: what do you do, where do you do it and how long have you been doing it?

I'm lucky enough to be the Youth Services Manager at the Rice Lake Public Library. That means I'm in charge of everything from birth to 18 at the RLPL - from administration to collection development to outreach. I'm still pretty fresh to librarianship, as I graduated from UW-Madison SLIS in May 2013. So I've been at the Rice Lake Public Library for a little over a year!

Why do you want to be part of the YSS Board?

Who wouldn't want an excuse to hang out with some hilarious Children's and YA Librarians? On top of that, I'm really interested in becoming more connected with Wisconsin librarianship. Sometimes I get so focused on the RLPL, it's like I have tunnel vision. I'd love to be a part of the YSS board to ensure I stay connected to & involved with all Wisconsin libraries (not just my own)! 

Favorite flavor of ice cream?

Somehow this is the hardest question for me? Anything with cherries or chocolate!

Susan Menk

Tell us about yourself: what do you do, where do you do it and how long have you been doing it?

My name is Susie Menk (Miss Susie to the kids at storytime J) and I have been working in the public library field for the past six and one-half years .  I started out as an Adult Reference Associate and then began my career in Youth Services about three years ago.  I have a bachelor’s degree in teaching and have always loved working with children.  After having been in the library field for several years I decided to pursue my MLIS degree. I am excited to report that I graduated in August of 2014 from UW Milwaukee!

Why do you want to be part of the YSS Board?

I am interested in being a part of the YSS Board, because one of my favorite activities is sharing programs and ideas with other librarians that are as enthusiastic as I am about sharing a love of reading with children and parents.  I love learning about what others are reading, what kind of children’s programming and activities they have tried, what programs or activities were successful and which weren’t,  and how others incorporate new ideas and technology into their programming.  I have been most interested in outreach.   In the last few months, I have gotten the opportunity to present some parenting tips and read aloud tips to groups at the local CESA 7 and Lakeshore CAP sites.  I am also on the Community Partnerships for Children Task Force for Manitowoc County and have had a chance to connect with others in the community to promote early literacy programming and activities during community events.

Favorite flavor of ice cream?

My favorite flavor of ice cream is peanut butter chocolate mixers from Culvers!  Yum, yum!

Ashley Thiem-Menning

Tell us about yourself: what do you do, where do you do it and how long have you been doing it?

I’m currently the Programming Librarian at the Kaukauna Public Library.  As the Programming Librarian, I am in charge of developing, marketing and executing youth, teen and adult programs.  I’m also in charge of collection management and ordering for my library and I help run the Friends organization.   I’ve been with the Kaukauna Public Library for the last two years, but I’ve been working in libraries since 2003.  In 2009, I started the first exclusive storytime for children on the autism spectrum in the state. I embrace innovation, collaboration and new practices and will turn just about anything into a Library program. 

Why do you want to be part of the YSS Board?

I would like to be part of the YSS board so that I can help connect youth librarians with innovative practices and support. 

Favorite flavor of ice cream?

Chocolate ice cream, preferably containing more Oreos than actual ice cream.