2025 YSS Board Candidates

It's almost time to vote! Here's a chance to meet your YSS board candidates.

Vice Chair/Chair-Elect (3 year term)

Katie Alford: Hello! I’m Katie Alford, the Youth Services Manager at the Menomonee Falls Public Library. I started my library adventure at the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library in 2013 as a Reference/Teen Services Specialist. After relocating to Wisconsin, I was hired at MFPL to build teen services from the ground up. It was a great opportunity that included collection development, program planning, volunteer coordinating, social media marketing, school outreach, and the creation of a teen space. I later moved into the role of Youth Services Manager overseeing services to patrons 0 – 18 and their caregivers. Some highlights from my time as YS Manager: Truck Day (in 2023 we had 700 attendees and this summer we had around 1000 – it’s the best day of the year) and coordinating a redesign for our Children’s Library. I’d be honored to serve on this committee and help foster a collaboration and support among libraries across the state.

Vice Chair/Chair Elect (3 year term)
Kate Davis
Hello! I am Kate Davis, the Programming Consultant for Prairie Lakes Library District in southeast Wisconsin. I have extensive expertise in early literacy, youth programming, large-scale programming, collection maintenance, and inclusivity services, among many other practices. I have reviewed books for School Library Journal, participated in the Association of Library Services to Children’s (ALSC) 2022 William Morris Book Evaluation Seminar, currently serve on both ALA’s Mildred A. Batchelder 2025 Committee and a second term on the CLEL (Colorado Libraries for Early Literacy) Bell Award Committee to award distinction to picture books best illustrating early literacy practices. I hold a Master’s of Library and Information Science degree from San Jose State University.

I’m drawn to the Vice Chair position at WLA because I want to advocate for those working in library youth services by offering them current resources and a place to further their professional talents in an open collaboration. I offer unique perspectives and creative ideas, along with a talent for building relationships, sharing enthusiasm, and providing support. I truly enjoy the camaraderie of committees, especially when there’s a shared passion for uplifting others in our profession.

Secretary (2 year term)

Hanna Collins
Greetings! My name is Hanna Collins and I am proudly serving as the Youth Services Librarian in Slinger, Wisconsin. Hailing from Indiana, I hold a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education and a Master's in Library Science from Indiana University. Before transplanting to Wisconsin 2 years ago, I served as a teacher and Media Specialist for over 15 years. I was the chair of Indiana's Young Hoosier Book Award Committee and now serve as chair for Wisconsin's Children's Book Award Committee. I have contributed several posts to our YSS Shout-Out Blog and love learning new things from fellow librarians. I'd love to serve as your YSS secretary! I have a great attention to detail and excellent organizational skills. My communication style is clear and concise. I'd love this opportunity to connect more with fellow Wisconsin librarians while serving in this position.

Secretary (2 year term)
Amy Kilkenny

I am currently a Library Assistant at Aram Public Library in Delavan, WI, and an MLIS student at UWM who will be graduating in December of this year. Upon graduation, I want to be a Teen Librarian at my library, which is currently undergoing a major expansion/renovation and will be adding a Teen Librarian position. I currently help the Youth Services Librarian with programming and established and run the library's Teen Advisory Board (with the help of the teens of course!). I'd like to join YSS Board to make more connections in the field and to strengthen my knowledge of youth services in general.

Director-at-Large (2 year term)

Lynn Christiansen:
I hold a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Silver Lake College. I began working at Manitowoc Public Library in 2012 as a Materials Page, and was promoted to Youth Associate in 2017. My primary responsibilities include planning and presenting baby and preschool story times, with a passion for playing my ukulele whenever possible. I consider myself an amateur musician, but the kids really seem to love it! I do a bimonthly program called Family Activity Night for school-aged children. Programs vary from arts & crafts to STEAM challenges and so much more. I treasure my nickname of department MacGyver, as I am always up for finding creative solutions for challenges that arise. Although my participation with WLA has been limited, I would love to get more involved as part of the YSS board. I feel that my professional passions could be applied to working with my colleagues as well.

Director-at-Large (2 year term)
Katie Ganser

Hi everyone! I'm Katie Ganser, Head of Youth Services at the Middleton Public Library. I have worked in libraries for over half my life now, the last 19 years at Middleton. For the past 5 years, I've been working in Youth Services, and I tell people all the time that it's the best job ever! After being part of a great group of Youth Librarians in this year's PBS Kids cohort, I found that making connections and learning from each other brings so much value to our profession. I would love to be part of the YSS board to help foster relationships between YS librarians all over the state of Wisconsin, who are doing such amazing things for their communities. We all have so much knowledge to share with each other and I'm excited for the opportunity to help us all connect, grow, and learn!