The PLIX team is delighted to announce our 2024-2025 cohort of PLIX Library Ambassadors.

These library professionals share our passion for hands-on creative learning programming and a keen desire to gain and foster STEAM confidence, and to offer high quality STEAM learning experiences to populations that would not otherwise have access to them.

Our third Library Ambassador program supports 14 libraries across the U.S. in thinking about different ways that STEAM learning experiences can be offered for diverse audiences. These library professionals were chosen through a review process that considered regional demographics, interests in STEAM learning, motivations to collaborate with other libraries across the US, and target populations for their programming. These include homeschooled populations, children, tweens, teens, multigenerational families, adults with disabilities, English learners and more.

Together, we’ll be supporting each others’ confidence in offering creative STEAM learning experiences for our local communities, sharing our joys, stories, and practices with each other. Through our online Community of Practice, this network of library professionals will share their explorations, excitement, and resources with their peers in libraries across the U.S.

Special Thanks

Special thanks to

• Rohan Kundargi, MIT Government and Community Relations, and
• Rachel Garber, Creative Learning Company,

for the generosity of their time and support in the selection process.

And thank you to all who have applied and shared your thoughtfulness and care for the challenges of your neighborhoods. It was a great privilege to read the applications, and hear about the big and small ways so many library professionals champion creativity and connection for their diverse communities.

Meet our PLIX Mentor

This year, the PLIX team is joined by Lesa Cole, an ambassador of our previous cohort, as our PLIX Mentor. She’ll be sharing her love of creative learning and her favorite facilitation practices, with us and this year’s cohort!

Lesa Cole 🎖️ (she/her)

Youth Services Iola Public Library (Iola, KS)

Likes and interests: I'm in love with painting watercolor and spending time with family.

Recently up to: Painting watercolor scenery.

Looking forward to: Always looking to learn more to give back more to the kids.

Amy Chamberlin🎖️ (she/her)

Library Associate Juniper Library (Grand Lake, CO)

Likes and interests: This last year I was a part-time bartender and part-time librarian; I told stories to children and listened to stories from adults.

Recently up to: The last three years I have been my youngest son's lacrosse agent; he will start playing college lacrosse next year.

Looking forward to: I am always interested in the latest and greatest in education.

Chelsea Kirkland 🧐 (she/her)

Digital Inclusion Coordinator DC Public Library (Washington, DC)

Likes and interests: I’m an ever-curious punk rocker turned PTO mom who loves being outside and DIY.

Recently up to: I work closely with our Digital Navigator program and other digital inclusion projects that aim to increase digital access and skills in DC. Recently we’ve been debating how best to collect stats, strategizing about AI Literacy programs, and planning a couple seminars. I love collaborative decision-making and patron-informed services and am always scheming about how to do more of that.

Looking forward to: I’m looking forward to contributing to innovative and impactful programming ideas that I can adapt for the mostly- adult audience that my team serves, and hopefully gain some insight on new ways to facilitate tech learning.

Hannah Kane 🧐 (she/they)

Youth Services Librarian Fond du Lac Public Library (Fond du Lac, WI)

Likes and interests: I like finding connections between my myriad interests, hopefully for the benefit of myself and others.

Recently up to: Brainstorming with members of the local theater community to come up with ideas for how to use theater as a tool to support early literacy, riding funiculars on vacation in Pittsburgh, working with a local teen on her high school capstone project, and engaging in a battle of wits with the squirrel who lives in my maple tree (he keeps burying things in my flower pots and I'm like, beloved, those go inside for the winter, they will not be useful to you)

Looking forward to: I'm so excited to learn more about awesome resources I can share with my community, and hopefully meet some incredible folks!

Jennifer Vinzons 🦄 (she/her)

Youth Services Librarian Kapolei Public Library (Kapolei, HI)

Likes and interests: I love all things arts and crafts related and especially enjoy kpop, anime, manga, and fandom related things!

Recently up to: My library has started a successful baby storytime program and other early literacy initiatives. On a personal front, I'm learning how to machine-quilt with fabric scraps!

Looking forward to: Exploring more educational or STEAM based programs for our patrons for older kids. I'd especially want to focus on or support fun educational/learning programs for elementary school aged kids and teens.

Katelyn Turner 😵‍💫 (she/her)

STEAM Instructor/ Makerspace director Roswell Public Library (Roswell, NM)

Likes and interests: When I am not a STEAM instructor at the library, I am a multi-disciplinary visual artist and I enjoy finding ways to be creative with my children.

Recently up to: I recently opened a solo exhibition at Revolt Gallery in Taos titled "Masks All The Way Down", which closes on October 25th.

Looking forward to: I'm excited to learn new ways to engage our community with creative STEAM programming while connecting with a network of like-minded people.

Katie Nelson 🐌 (she/her)

Head of Teen Services Beverly Public Library (Beverly, MA)

Likes and interests: I enjoy reading, hanging out with my two nieces, and trying new ice cream flavors.

Looking forward to: I am looking forward to learning new and innovative ways to bring STEAM to the library and getting to know other librarians across the country.

Kit Lorelied 🦊 (they/them)

STEAM Librarian Tualatin Public Library (Tualatin, OR)

Likes and interests: I love making, video games and reading; If its nerdy, I probably like it.

Recently up to: I was recently the Grand Marshal of my local Pride Stride.

Looking forward to: I look forward to meeting fellow STEAM programmers and learning and growing with them

Michelle Shirley🎖️ (she/her)

Youth Librarian Grove Public Library (Grove, OK)

Likes and interests:  I am a true crime fan, a collector of Stephen King books, and an avid artist. While mixed media is my favorite, I also enjoy painting.

Recently up to: I have been focusing on completing all the art projects I’ve previously started.

Looking forward to: I’m excited to have people to bounce ideas off of and to gain fresh inspiration for new programs.

Miria Webb 😬 (she/her)

Library Director Clinton Public Library (Clinton, TN)

Likes and interests: Aside from reading, I love cooking and baking and trying out new craft ideas.

Recently up to: I've been helping with relief drives in East Tennessee in the wake of Hurricane Helene.

Looking forward to: I can't wait to get fresh new programming ideas from all these great people!

Molly Smith Vargas 😳 (she/her)

Librarian I/Youth Services

The Doreen Gauthier Lighthouse Point Library (Lighthouse Point, FL)

Likes and interests: I am extremely food-motivated so I love trying new cuisines and recipes; I also love knitting, listening to vinyl records, reading,  and watching too much anime.

Recently up to: Lately I have really gotten into snorkeling with my husband and our friends.

Looking forward to: I am so excited to bring new experiences to the kids who come to our library--I hope we can really inspire them to be confident "citizen scientists." I also cannot wait to meet with other librarians who are passionate about STEAM!

Paige Kiser 🐸 (she/her)

Youth Services Associate The Library Station (Springfield, MO)

Likes and interests: I like crochet projects, a good cup of tea, and reality tv shows. I’m always wanting to talk about cool animal facts or Taylor Swift.

Recently up to: Besides planning for future STEAM programs, I’ve been reading all of the Mark Twain Award Nominees for 2024-2025, and crocheting a blanket that represents everything I’ve read this year.

Looking forward to: I’m excited to discuss creative learning techniques with other librarians!

Peter Newson 👽 (he/him)

Library Assistant San Carlos Library (San Carlos, CA)

Likes and interests: I like repairing thrifted electronics, riding bicycles, and SF dj sets

Recently up to: I've been applying and interviewing for a promotion at my library system

Looking forward to: I'm looking forward to meeting library folks from across the country!

Vidhya Jagannathan 🎖️(she/her)

Makerspace Librarian North Cobb Regional Library (Kennesaw, GA)

Likes and interests: I dabble in a wide variety of crafts and I also love to cook and garden.

Recently up to: I recently planned and executed two fun Indian Cultural family literacy programs thanks to a grant from APALA.

Looking forward to: I am looking forward to hearing what my peers are going to do as ambassadors, share programming ideas, and have fun!