SHARON M.

FOSTER
P.O. Box 561 Rye Beach, NH 03871 fostersm1@gmail.com 203-240-2553

LIBRARY TECHNOLOGY EXPERIENCE

SUMMARY Over 4 years of public library experience selecting, purchasing, installing, configuring, monitoring, and maintaining staff and public computers, software, printers and print management systems, servers, and network equipment; designing, developing and maintaining websites using XHTML, CSS, PHP, javascript, jQuery, WordPress, PhotoShop, GIMP, FileZilla, Notepad++, Contribute, Dreamweaver, Google Docs, Calendar, and Maps, and Zoho databases; diagnosing and solving hardware and software problems; instructing staff and patrons in the use of new and existing hardware, software, and services; developing and implementing technology plans; implementing Web 2.0 tools to facilitate staff and patron communications; and testing and evaluating new technologies. Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite 2007, including Access database design and implementation; OpenOffice and other open source productivity applications; Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems; SirsiDynix Horizon and WorkFlows, III Millennium, TLC Library Solutions, and Ex Libris Voyager integrated library systems (ILS); digital audio and video recording and editing equipment and software. Rye Public Library, Rye, NH; Technology Librarian Deployed new ILS server and three new staff computers for the public desk stations. Offer one-onone technology support sessions for patrons. Use Twitter to advertise library programs and services. Initiate Facebook presence, with a plan to keep it current and fresh. Improved a static library website by adding a slideshow and more current events to the home page, adding LibraryThing widgets to simplify display of new materials, and making the calendar function easier for staff to update. Instituted a staff wiki for internal communications. Developed creative new ways to use technology to market library services and reach out to new patrons, including making video recordings of special programs available as circulating DVDs. Staffed the public service desk five to ten hours per week for circulation and readers advisory. 2007 to 2009 Cheshire Public Library, Cheshire, CT; Librarian I Managed 11 Macs, 30 WinXP machines, and 1 Ubuntu Linux machine. Worked with network support staff at our consortium and the Town of Cheshire to diagnose and solve network problems. Instituted a staff wiki. Installed and maintained a public blog using WordPress open source software. Added an events calendar and various forms to the library website. Set up a staff wireless network to enable additional staff computers to be deployed. Lead Library 2.0 committee to identify and implement new ways to use Web 2.0 services for library outreach. Staffed a public service position (Circ Desk, Reference Desk, and phones) one to three hours per week, as required. Danbury Public Library, Danbury, CT; Technology Center (temp) Set up, configured, and installed 20 new computers for Adult, Tech Center, and Language Lab public areas. Provided Helpdesk support for up to 60 public computer patrons. Westport Public Library, Westport, CT; Technical Support Assisted patrons in the use of public computers and software; PC Reservation, LPT:One, Microsoft Office Suite, iCONN and other online databases, Internet search engines, email, wireless network, Adobe PhotoShop, scanners, pay-for-print system, microfilm readers/printers, OCR software, and copiers. Prepared written "tip sheets" on setting up and using email, printing and page setup options, using attachments, and using scanners.

2009 to present

2006

2005 to 2007

REFERENCE EXPERIENCE
2007 to 2009 New Canaan Library, New Canaan, CT; Part-time Reference Librarian Assisted patrons to find and renew materials, place holds, make meeting room reservations, and check patron accounts. Administered all Interlibrary Loan borrowing. Performed opening and closing procedures for Reference area.

SHARON M. FOSTER
2007 to 2008 Albertus Magnus College Library, New Haven, CT; Part-time and Substitute Reference Librarian Took full responsibility for library each Sunday evening and occasional weeknights. Assisted students using the librarys public computers and printers, and instructed them in the use of the librarys subscription databases, including Expanded Academic ASAP, ABI/Inform Complete, Business and Company Resource Center, LegalTrac, Lexis/Nexis Academic Universe, History Reference Center, and JSTOR. Checked out materials, issued cards, updated student accounts, and supervised one to two student assistants. Performed all closing procedures for entire building.

TECHNOLOGY and PROJECT LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE

SUMMARY Over 20 years of experience in the planning, management, specification, design, development, documentation, test, and integration of complex software systems; served as team leader for three to six senior software developers. Dion Engineering, Middletown, CT, on contract to Hamilton Sundstrand, Windsor Locks, CT DRS Power & Control Technologies, Inc., Danbury, CT; Senior Engineer II SVG Lithography, Ridgefield, CT; Principal Engineer IPEC Precision, Bethel, CT (contractor) Chandler Evans, West Hartford, CT (contractor) Hughes Danbury Optical Systems, Danbury, CT (contractor)

2005 1999 to 2005 1996 to 1999 1996 1994 to 1995 1992 to 1994

EDUCATION
DEGREE PROGRAMS Southern Connecticut State University, M.L.S. Portfolio at http://www.vsa-software.com/mlsportfolio/ University of Connecticut, School of Law, J.D. New York University, School of Engineering and Science, B.S. in Applied Mathematics.

OTHER TRAINING

Hands-on workshops in a variety of subjects including Drupal, Joomla, and Mambo content management systems; XHTML, CSS, Perl, PHP, and MySQL; creating on-line tutorials; Moodle; Flash; Dreamweaver; advanced Excel; software project planning and management. Graduate courses in mathematics, software engineering, computer science and network communications.

LANGUAGES

High school Spanish; some background in Modern Greek.