Open to opportunities

Katie Harken

@katieharken

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Dedicated library professional with expertise in youth services and archives.

United States

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What I'm looking for

I seek a role that allows me to innovate in library services and engage communities.

I am a passionate library professional with a Master of Library and Information Science from Simmons University, where I graduated with a 4.0 GPA. My concentration in Archives Management has equipped me with the skills necessary to manage and preserve valuable historical materials. I have a strong foundation in history, having graduated summa cum laude from William Jewell College with a Bachelor of Arts in History and a minor in Classical Humanities.

Currently, I serve as the Director of Youth Services at Tonganoxie Public Library, where I plan and execute engaging youth programs, manage the youth collection, and oversee a dedicated team of library aides and volunteers. My experience also includes working as a Library Technical Assistant at Kansas City Public Library, where I assisted patrons with research and technology, and as a Circulation Student Manager at Curry Library, where I supervised student assistants and managed interlibrary loans. I am committed to community outreach and fostering a love for reading among young people.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Director of Youth Services

Current

Tonganoxie Public Library

Nov 2023 - Present (1 year 7 months)

Plans, advertises, executes, and evaluates all youth programming such as storytimes, the summer reading program, teen volunteer council, and graphic novel book club. Manages the youth services budget for programming and collection development including grant writing and community fundraising.

Budget Management Community Outreach

Library Technical Assistant

Kansas City Public Library

Feb 2022 - Oct 2023 (1 year 8 months)

Assisted library patrons in conducting research using library databases, open source databases, and internet search engines. Circulated and managed library materials using Sirsi Workflows library management software.

Sirsi Workflows technology assistance Reference Services

Archives Intern

City of Somerville Archives

Aug 2021 - Nov 2021 (3 months)

Inventoried archival materials of the Somerville Department of City Planning and Development. Created a work plan according to inventoried materials.

Archival Inventory Work Plan Development Records Management

Circulation Student Manager

Curry Library, William Jewell College

Aug 2017 - May 2021 (3 years 9 months)

Oversaw the requesting and fulfillment of interlibrary loan materials for student and faculty research/use. Supervised and trained library student assistants, including assisting peers and faculty with research.

Interlibrary Loan Student supervision Research Assistance Citation Guides

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

William Jewell College

Bachelor of Arts, History

Grade: summa cum laude

Activities and societies: Proofreader at Writing Lab, Circulation Student Manager at Curry Library

Graduated summa cum laude with a minor in Classical Humanities. This program provided a strong foundation in historical research and analysis.

Simmons University

Master of Library and Information Science, Library and Information Science

Grade: 4.0 GPA

Graduated with a 4.0 GPA, specializing in Archives Management. This program provided comprehensive training in library and information science principles.