SoCaLIS Board Members, 2019-2020
Alex Quay, President (Sinai Akiba Academy)
Alex joined the library at Sinai Akiba Academy in 2015. Prior to that, she spent several years as a part of the administrative team of Chelsea Day School in New York City. There she was tasked with overseeing their small library, and after seeing the impact she could make in a school community, she was inspired to get her MLIS from University of Michigan. Now in LA with her husband and cat, she enjoys the outdoors, reading YA fantasy, and true crime podcasts.
Alex joined the library at Sinai Akiba Academy in 2015. Prior to that, she spent several years as a part of the administrative team of Chelsea Day School in New York City. There she was tasked with overseeing their small library, and after seeing the impact she could make in a school community, she was inspired to get her MLIS from University of Michigan. Now in LA with her husband and cat, she enjoys the outdoors, reading YA fantasy, and true crime podcasts.
Velear Schrupp, President Elect (TVT Community Day School)
Velear joined TVT Community Day School in 2017. She is the Library Director and a member of TVT’s Innovation team. She oversees the running of the day-to-day operations for the Lower and Upper School Libraries and the Imagination Station and the Design Studio (Makerspaces). She works with TK-12 students and faculty, creating dynamic learning spaces and continues to refine the curriculum taught during Library/Maker classes by integrating Information Literacy, Social-Emotional Learning, and Maker practices/Design Thinking as well as working with the TK-12 faculty for subject integration. In addition to her degree in Library and Information Science she has a certification in Social-Emotional Leadership.
Velear joined TVT Community Day School in 2017. She is the Library Director and a member of TVT’s Innovation team. She oversees the running of the day-to-day operations for the Lower and Upper School Libraries and the Imagination Station and the Design Studio (Makerspaces). She works with TK-12 students and faculty, creating dynamic learning spaces and continues to refine the curriculum taught during Library/Maker classes by integrating Information Literacy, Social-Emotional Learning, and Maker practices/Design Thinking as well as working with the TK-12 faculty for subject integration. In addition to her degree in Library and Information Science she has a certification in Social-Emotional Leadership.
Nikki Gomez, Past President (Marlborough School)
Nikki has been a librarian at Marlborough since 2009. Prior to Marlborough she worked at the University of Southern California as an information literacy instruction librarian. In addition to teaching information literacy skills and helping put information into the hands of her students, Nikki is also the 7th Grade Dean at Marlborough. In her spare time she participates in 3 book clubs, crochets and travels.
Nikki has been a librarian at Marlborough since 2009. Prior to Marlborough she worked at the University of Southern California as an information literacy instruction librarian. In addition to teaching information literacy skills and helping put information into the hands of her students, Nikki is also the 7th Grade Dean at Marlborough. In her spare time she participates in 3 book clubs, crochets and travels.
Kayti Mathewson, Secretary (Crossroads School)
Kayti joined Crossroads in 2015 after working as a Library Director in both Colorado and Vermont. She fell into librarianship as a career after realizing that she loved her job with Barnes & Noble but hated interacting with the public. Luckily teenagers rarely count as the public.
Kayti joined Crossroads in 2015 after working as a Library Director in both Colorado and Vermont. She fell into librarianship as a career after realizing that she loved her job with Barnes & Noble but hated interacting with the public. Luckily teenagers rarely count as the public.
Mark Dzula, Treasurer (Webb Schools)
Mark Dzula is the Director of Teaching and Learning Resources at The Webb Schools and is always looking for ways to have fun: He advises the journalism program at Webb, a perfect fit for the library. He blogs for Knowledge Quest, the Journal of the American Association of School Librarians. He also recorded an album in his library to promote it as a place for expression. To this end, Mark hosts weekly student performances in the library—stop by to sing karaoke or play your favorite instrument.
Mark Dzula is the Director of Teaching and Learning Resources at The Webb Schools and is always looking for ways to have fun: He advises the journalism program at Webb, a perfect fit for the library. He blogs for Knowledge Quest, the Journal of the American Association of School Librarians. He also recorded an album in his library to promote it as a place for expression. To this end, Mark hosts weekly student performances in the library—stop by to sing karaoke or play your favorite instrument.
Sarah Clark, Website and External Communications (Windward School)
Sarah joined Windward School in 2009. While in graduate school at UCLA she had the honor of working with Michelle Fromme at Wildwood and got hooked on working in schools. As research librarian, she works to support teachers and students in research-based projects primarily in grades 10-12. Sarah loves amazing students by having everything on hand in the library, including an eyeglass repair kit, a lint roller, hair ties, and many kinds of tape.
Sarah joined Windward School in 2009. While in graduate school at UCLA she had the honor of working with Michelle Fromme at Wildwood and got hooked on working in schools. As research librarian, she works to support teachers and students in research-based projects primarily in grades 10-12. Sarah loves amazing students by having everything on hand in the library, including an eyeglass repair kit, a lint roller, hair ties, and many kinds of tape.
Nora Murphy, Website and External Communications (Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy)
Nora has been Librarian and Curriculum Specialist at Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy since 2011. Prior to FSHA, she was first a 7th-grade English/Social Studies teacher (2000-2006) and then a Teacher Librarian (2006-2011) in LAUSD . Nora spends a great deal of her professional time developing and maintaining her school’s research curriculum and collaborating with faculty. Her interests include baking, New Orleans, Scottish mystery novels, maps, and road trips.
Nora has been Librarian and Curriculum Specialist at Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy since 2011. Prior to FSHA, she was first a 7th-grade English/Social Studies teacher (2000-2006) and then a Teacher Librarian (2006-2011) in LAUSD . Nora spends a great deal of her professional time developing and maintaining her school’s research curriculum and collaborating with faculty. Her interests include baking, New Orleans, Scottish mystery novels, maps, and road trips.
Elisabeth Abarbanel, Internal Communications (Brentwood School)
Elisabeth is Head Librarian, East Campus at Brentwood School. She grew up in Los Angeles and received her MLIS from UCLA in 1994. Elisabeth enjoys having her own teenagers attend the school where she works and loves it when her son and his friends hang out in her office for lunch. At her school she runs a book club and a student library advisory council. She has been active in SoCaLIS since starting at Brentwood School in 1997.
Elisabeth is Head Librarian, East Campus at Brentwood School. She grew up in Los Angeles and received her MLIS from UCLA in 1994. Elisabeth enjoys having her own teenagers attend the school where she works and loves it when her son and his friends hang out in her office for lunch. At her school she runs a book club and a student library advisory council. She has been active in SoCaLIS since starting at Brentwood School in 1997.
Cielo Botello-Williams, Internal Communications (Windward School)
Cielo has been a librarian at Windward School since 2011. She decided to pursue a career in librarianship while working for LAUSD as an elementary school library aide. After receiving her MLIS from UCLA she went on to work as a public children’s librarian as well as a university librarian. Cielo currently enjoys working with middle and high school students fostering information literacy skills and trying out fun programming ideas.
Cielo has been a librarian at Windward School since 2011. She decided to pursue a career in librarianship while working for LAUSD as an elementary school library aide. After receiving her MLIS from UCLA she went on to work as a public children’s librarian as well as a university librarian. Cielo currently enjoys working with middle and high school students fostering information literacy skills and trying out fun programming ideas.
Sarah Peters, Event Coordinator (Polytechnic School)
Sarah Peters is new to California since taking a job as Upper School Librarian at the Polytechnic School. Prior to this, she spent 2 years in Berlin, Germany working as the Primary Librarian at the Berlin-Brandenburg International School. Since 1999, she’s also worked in a variety of public schools from CT to MN to TX to FL. She served on the selection committee for the 2017 CT High School Nutmeg Awards and is hoping to serve on similar committees in the future. She earned her MLS at Simmons College in Boston and her BA from Trinity College in Hartford, CT. She has two children, Drew (29) and Julia (20) who is currently living in Dublin, Ireland. In her free time, she loves to read and review books for NetGalley, search for treasures to sell on eBay, and travel.
Sarah Peters is new to California since taking a job as Upper School Librarian at the Polytechnic School. Prior to this, she spent 2 years in Berlin, Germany working as the Primary Librarian at the Berlin-Brandenburg International School. Since 1999, she’s also worked in a variety of public schools from CT to MN to TX to FL. She served on the selection committee for the 2017 CT High School Nutmeg Awards and is hoping to serve on similar committees in the future. She earned her MLS at Simmons College in Boston and her BA from Trinity College in Hartford, CT. She has two children, Drew (29) and Julia (20) who is currently living in Dublin, Ireland. In her free time, she loves to read and review books for NetGalley, search for treasures to sell on eBay, and travel.
Claire LaPolt, Membership Chair, (Flintridge Preparatory School)
Claire is a librarian at Flintridge Preparatory School, where her favorite activities are recreational booktalks, research instruction, and cataloging. She is no stranger to LA independent schools, having worked at Windward School and Milken Community Schools before coming to Prep. Claire received her MLIS from UCLA and has a background in Classics. In her free time, she learns about Korean language and culture, raises succulents, and checks out too many books at a time from LAPL.
Claire is a librarian at Flintridge Preparatory School, where her favorite activities are recreational booktalks, research instruction, and cataloging. She is no stranger to LA independent schools, having worked at Windward School and Milken Community Schools before coming to Prep. Claire received her MLIS from UCLA and has a background in Classics. In her free time, she learns about Korean language and culture, raises succulents, and checks out too many books at a time from LAPL.
Amy Wiggins, Membership Chair, (Curtis School)
Amy has been a librarian at Curtis School since 2014. At Curtis, she teaches 2nd grade and up library classes, coaches debate, and helps facilitate the school’s Makerspace program. Before Curtis, she was a middle school science teacher at The American School of Asunción in Asunción, Paraguay and then at Colegio Nueva Granada in Bogotá, Colombia. She earned her MLIS from SJSU and has a MEd from William & Mary. In her free time, she loves to read books with her daughter, camp, travel, and attempt to grow vegetables.
Amy has been a librarian at Curtis School since 2014. At Curtis, she teaches 2nd grade and up library classes, coaches debate, and helps facilitate the school’s Makerspace program. Before Curtis, she was a middle school science teacher at The American School of Asunción in Asunción, Paraguay and then at Colegio Nueva Granada in Bogotá, Colombia. She earned her MLIS from SJSU and has a MEd from William & Mary. In her free time, she loves to read books with her daughter, camp, travel, and attempt to grow vegetables.
Jennifer Lutzky, Cataloging Coordinator (Campbell Hall)
Jennifer grew up in Los Angeles and received both her BA and MLIS from UCLA. (She is a huge Bruin basketball fan and even met her husband in Pauley Pavilion.) Before joining the Campbell Hall faculty, she worked at Brawerman Elementary School and as a Children’s Librarian for Los Angeles Public Library. Prior to answering the siren call of librarianship, she worked in advertising.
Jennifer grew up in Los Angeles and received both her BA and MLIS from UCLA. (She is a huge Bruin basketball fan and even met her husband in Pauley Pavilion.) Before joining the Campbell Hall faculty, she worked at Brawerman Elementary School and as a Children’s Librarian for Los Angeles Public Library. Prior to answering the siren call of librarianship, she worked in advertising.
April Younglove, Cataloging Liaison Elect (Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy)
Cathy Leverkus, Vendor Liaison Representative (Willows School)
Cathy Leverkus is the Director of Library Services at The Willows Community School (K-8), and she received her MLIS degree from UCLA. For the past 23 years, she has been developing the library program at The Willows. In 2011, Cathy stepped into the new board position of Vendor Liaison, and focused on assessing the vendor needs of the SoCaLIS group through surveys and discussions with members and then developing relationships with the various vendors to drum up discounts. The past year, she has been functioning as the Past President working with the President-Elect and President to organize meetings, assess the progress of SoCaLIS, oversee certain board functions (such as helping the board find people to fill different board positions).
Cathy Leverkus is the Director of Library Services at The Willows Community School (K-8), and she received her MLIS degree from UCLA. For the past 23 years, she has been developing the library program at The Willows. In 2011, Cathy stepped into the new board position of Vendor Liaison, and focused on assessing the vendor needs of the SoCaLIS group through surveys and discussions with members and then developing relationships with the various vendors to drum up discounts. The past year, she has been functioning as the Past President working with the President-Elect and President to organize meetings, assess the progress of SoCaLIS, oversee certain board functions (such as helping the board find people to fill different board positions).
Sarah Davis, Vendor Liaison Support - Overdrive (Viewpoint School)