Meet the PLA Board

I have served as Executive Director of Western Plains Library System (WPLS) since 2013. WPLS is a 4-county, rural library system that resides in western Oklahoma. I joined the Western Plains staff in 2004 as Acquisitions Coordinator and was then promoted to Assistant Director in 2008. Prior to my arrival at WPLS, I worked for three years as a graduate assistant in the Fine Arts & Architecture Branch Libraries at the University of Oklahoma and worked for two years as a student reference assistant at the Southwestern Oklahoma State University Al Harris Library.

I graduated from Southwestern Oklahoma State University with a degree in history and received my master’s degree in Library and Information Studies from the University of Oklahoma. In 2021, I was honored to be named the Distinguished Alumni for the OU School of Library and Information Studies.

I am an extremely active member of the Oklahoma Library Association (OLA) where I am currently serving as Treasurer and as a member of the Executive Board. I previously served as the OLA President in 2023, OLA Governance Chair for the 2024-2025 term, OLA Finance Committee since 2008 and served as its Chair in 2024, Oklahoma Representative on the Mountain Plains Library Association Board (MPLA) from 2016-2019, OLA Treasurer from 2011-2015, OLA Secretary in 2009, and I joined the Advocacy Committee in 2006 and served as its Chair in 2017.

I am an active member of the American Library Association, Public Library Association, and the Mountain Plains Library Association. I serve on the MPLA Leadership Institute Planning Committee. I am a member of ALA Policy Corps, Cohort 4, with policy interests in rural library funding and intellectual freedom.

Why I wanted to serve on the PLA Board

One of my strengths is in public finances, and the library profession is facing many fiscal challenges today. I want to use my skills for the betterment of the profession. I was pleasantly surprised when I was asked to consider an appointment as the PLA Fiscal Officer. This is a position that I had hoped I could one day hold, and I am honored and happy that one day turned into today.

My vision for the future of public libraries

My vision is that public libraries will continue to execute their historical mission of being a place to seek curated, unbiased information in an increasingly fragmented information society.

My favorite book

I am not a person who has one favorite book, but I enjoy reading science fiction and fantasy. Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time served as my gateway into this genre.

Somewhere I love to frequent in my community

When I am not at work, I enjoy being in the peace and solitude of home with my family.