Welcome to Our New Bloggers

We put out the call for contributors to the blog and we received answers. Please join us in welcoming our two newest bloggers. Sam will be blogging on alternate Tuesdays with a "Tuesday Tips" column and Kristine will be blogging intermittently as she sees information.

Let's meet them!

SAM JONES

I grew up in Crivitz, WI, a small town in northern Wisconsin. I graduated from UW Madison's iSchool this spring. I also went to Madison for undergrad, where I majored in English literature and minored in Gender and Women's Studies and Digital Studies. I currently work at Beaver Dam Community Library, where I am the Youth Services Librarian. I have two guinea pigs, Peanut Butter and Jelly. My favorite thing about being a youth services librarian is seeing how excited children or teens get when they realize how many things the library can provide them, like when they find a book they didn't know existed or when they attend a program for the first time.

KRISTINE MILLARD

I am working on my MLIS at UW-Madison' iSchool and expect to graduate next year. Many moons ago, my minor at UW-Whitewater was Library Media. I then worked for several years at the Lodi Public Library and now manage a research lab at the Waisman Center studying how toddlers with autism learn language. I was excited to combine these professional interests last semester at the Sun Prairie Public Library when I focused my practicum on creating circulating kits and other resources for children with autism and other sensory needs. When I am not working or studying, I may be found hiking, or nestled at home with my cat and a craft or gardening project.

We are still interested in additional contributors to the blog. If the spirit moves you to share resources and information with your sister and brother youth librarians, please contact me lochwouters at gmail dot com and we'll take it from there to find a convenient way for you to contribute.