www.athomelibrarian.

com
TIBBY WROTEN @atomicbeeranch

PROFILE
School librarian with an interest in teaching literacy in all its forms and digital citizenship. Be-
lieves the library is not only about books and reading, but also creating a sense of community
and offering programing that showcases all aspects of the library. Good at learning, applying,
and integrating new technologies. Experience with all ages elementary through high school.
Believes that the library is the ideal place to create life long learners and to set students up to
be successful individuals in the 21st century.

EDUCATION
San Jose State University
Master of Library & Information Science (MLIS)
2006 – 2008

UCLA
Bachelor of Arts (BA), Anthropology
2001 – 2004

The American University in Cairo

Semester abroad, Egyptology
2003 – 2003

EXPERIENCE
VOLUNTEER LIBRARIAN, SACRAMENTO COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL — FALL 2014-
PRESENT
Worked with the fifth grade developing their research and information literacy skills. Created,
wrote, and taught lessons designed to give hands-on experience working with print and online
resources, including databases. Taught proper citation formatting and about the importance
and significance of citing resources in research. Developed and implemented a week of maker-
space programing for the entire lower school. Assisted with collection development, finding,
reading and suggesting titles for purchase. Provided readers advisory services for all grade lev-
els. Substituted for the librarian, working with various grade levels during that time.

MAKERSPACE FOUNDER AND TEACHER, SACRAMENTO COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL —

FALL 2014-PRESENT
Began conducting preliminary research on starting and running a makerspace in a school set-
ting in 2013. Implemented research in building a makerspace from the ground up for the 2014-
15 school year. Facilitated donations and purchases of materials and set up the space. As the
teacher, ensured that students have all the tools and supplies they need, taught the students
how to use the tools, brainstorm projects and ideas, provide assistance if and when necessary,
and ensured things ran smoothly. Collaborated with the lower school librarian to create and run
a week-long makerspace program in the library for all lower school students. For more informa-
tion on the SCDS Makerspace please see the NAIS Gallery of Makerspaces:
http://ow.ly/KCAQh.

RESEARCH ASSISTANT, CHILDREN’S BOOK ACADEMY — FALL 2014-PRESENT

Created annotated bibliographies for classes and webinars offered by the Academy. Drew on
knowledge of children’s and teen’s literature to create lists of titles that fit the topics in the
classes. Wrote plot summaries for each book and descriptions of how they fit with each theme
or topic. Researched self publishing, Common Core standards and several other topics that
provided information for courses to be built on.

BLOGGER, ATHOMELIBRARIAN.COM — 2012-PRESENT

Write blog posts about children’s, middle grade, and young adult literature including novels,
picture books, chapter books and nonfiction. Read all the books I review. Discuss what kinds
of collections, libraries, or readers would be interested in the books reviewed and suggest read
alikes. Primary focus on reading and reviewing literature that is written by diverse authors or
that features diversity. Also blog about makerspace set up and activities, share lessons and
lesson plans used as a volunteer librarian, and share ideas and impressions gained during pro-
fessional conferences. Content posts at least three times a week.

THEMED GUIDE CREATOR, ZOOBEAN.COM — 2014-PRESENT

Created content for guides based around themes for parents to use with their children. Guides
include book suggestions, activities, apps, and media. Developed the booklists and wrote
original descriptions. Created and curated activities related to the theme. Researched age-
appropriate online media content and apps also related to the theme. Wrote descriptions and
included learning/teaching tips for parents. Drew on my experience as an educator and librar-
ian to ensure that all content is developmentally-appropriate and provide parents with learning
experiences that are both fun and educational.

CURATOR, ZOOBEAN.COM — 2013-2014

Hand selected children’s literature, both old and new, for Zoobean. Cataloged the books for the
site based on their system of labeling and entering the books for their database. Zoobean is a
website for parents dedicated to curating the best children’s books. Parents, caregivers, teach-
ers, and family can visit the site and search by a variety of criteria, such as genre, family type,
or topic, for books to share with the children in their lives.

CONTENT EXPERT, COMMON SENSE MEDIA’S 1:1 ESSENTIALS PROGRAM — JUNE 2012
Collaborated with a group of educators, education technology professionals, and Common
Sense Media to brainstorm, structure and develop a toolkit designed for schools interested in
implementing a 1:1 tablet or laptop program. Provided insight based on working in a classroom
and on working with students and technology. Particularly interested in ensuring the inclusion
of digital citizenship and student training as well as emphasizing the importance of relying on
the school library as an indispensable resource.

ASSISTANT LIBRARIAN, SACRAMENTO COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL — 2009-2011

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As the only MLIS in the library I strove to bring a unique perspective based on my education to
the library. Worked to incorporate information literacy and transliteracy standards and best
practices into the library curriculum. Advocated embedding library and 21st Century Learner
skills into traditional curriculum. Collaborated with the librarian to create lessons, activities, and
programs that were integrated with the curriculum. Created websites on Google Apps and
Wordpress that supported these lessons.

Interacted with students daily while teaching, for administrative reasons (i.e. updating email
passwords, etc.), and reader's advisory. Created an inviting atmosphere in the library through
friendly and respectful customer service interactions, appealing displays, and, most importantly,
by taking an interest in the students as people.

Worked closely with the librarian on booktalks, creating and updating lists, designing program-
ing, and presenting them. Provided students with impromptu readers' advisory geared toward
encouraging students to read for pleasure and for class assignments. Developed, installed, and
maintained all library displays to highlight various portions of the library collection, student inter-
ests, and curriculum. Read middle grade and YA novels and several review journals. Made
suggestions for purchases in all subjects.

Created handouts to walk students through MLA citation format to cut down on confusion and
frustration. Helped all grade levels conduct paper- and Internet-based research. Particularly
involved in helping the sophomores research a topic of their choosing for a year long research
project and paper. Graded the papers based on accurateness of MLA citations and helped re-
fine the research, writing, and citations.

Cleaned up older records in the OPAC to ensure the accuracy, relevancy, and findability of all
entries, in addition to adding all new materials. Miscellaneous record keeping. Maintained stu-
dent email and computer accounts.

TEACHING ASSISTANT, SACRAMENTO COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL — 2005-2009

Worked in a second grade classroom. Assisted the teacher when giving lessons in all subject
areas (math, spelling, reading, writing, science, and history) by keeping students on task, regu-
larly checking their work, monitoring student understanding and pace, and providing support
for students who needed extra help. Set up and lead activities with the class as a whole, with
students in small groups and one-on-one.

Learned the curriculum and the methodologies quickly so that I could confidently interact with
the students and articulate the principles behind them to parents, colleagues, and even the
students.

Collaborated with the classroom teacher on creating and implementing new or improved activi-
ties, lessons, and programs. Acted as substitute teacher when the regular classroom teacher
was out for conferences and illness. Provided input at parent-teacher conferences. Found
creative ways to showcase student learning and give them ownership in the classroom com-
munity.

Guided students in problem solving when conflict arose. Enforced school policies and rules in
the classroom and on the playground.

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RSP INSTRUCTION AIDE, SACRAMENTO CITY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT — JAN 2005-JUNE 2005
Worked with groups of ESL students in the resource classroom. Designed daily lesson plans
for math and reading groups that would build skills, increase confidence and comprehension,
and allow students to return to the main classroom.

Covered grammar, comprehension, basic reading skills and math concepts three days a week
using some set curriculum and some curriculum assembled by myself. Grades taught ranged
from kindergarten to sixth.

SALES CLERK, BEERS BOOKS; SACRAMENTO, CA — SEPTEMBER 2004-JUNE 2005

Purchased books based on an understanding of what topics and titles appealed to the cus-
tomers of the store. Maintained the store’s young adult and children’s sections, buying books
and frequently cleaning and organizing the shelves to help product sell. Interacted with cus-
tomers helping them find what they needed in person and over the phone. Provided a friendly,
positive customer service experience. Beers Books is a local independent bookstore.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
• Reader’s Advisory through ALA eCourses
• Teaching Information Literacy Skills through ALA eCourses
• Attend professional conferences (ALA Annual, ALSC Institute, KidLitCon, CUE, California As-
sociation of Independent Schools, various virtual conferences) as budget and time will allow

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
• American Library Association
Member of ALSC and YALSA
• Computer Using Educators (CUE)

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