NYC School Librarian Guidebook: NYC School Librarian Guidebook

The mission of the New York City School Library System is to create and maintain dynamic and inclusive school library programs that not only provide access to resources but also actively contribute to personal growth, academic success, inquiry, and collaborative spirit of the school community.

Melissa Jacobs, Director of School Library Services

Email: Mjacobs7@schools.nyc.gov

Melissa Jacobs is the Director of Library Services for the NYC Public Schools and the New York City School Library System. Melissa started her career as an elementary school librarian and then spent 14 years as the Coordinator for Library Services. Melissa has been named a 2022 EdWeek Leader to Learn From, Library Journal Mover and Shaker, and has contributed to School Library Journal, Knowledge Quest, Teacher Librarian, and School Library Connection. In her spare time, she enjoys relaxing with her husband, two daughters, step-son, two orange cats, and Chiweenie. 

 

Leanne Ellis, Manhattan School Library Coordinator

Email:  Lellis3@schools.nyc.gov

Leanne Ellis works as the Manhattan Library Coordinator for the New York City School Library System.  She also manages the Destiny Library Catalog, the MyLibraryNYC Project with the three public library systems, and delivers extensive professional development.  Leanne writes a monthly blog for Knowledge Quest and recently became a guest editor.  Leanne and her husband are both Michigan transplants (by way of Hawaii) with a young son.

 

Donna Gray, Bronx School Library Coordinator

Email: Dgray19@schools.nyc.gov

Donna Gray is the Bronx Library Coordinator for the New York City School Library System. She has over 19 years of experience in K-12 education, library services, and higher education, and has previously worked at the New York Public Library as a Senior Young Adult Librarian, Teacher’s College, and the New York City Public Schools. She received her Master’s in Library Science with a concentration in School Library Media at Queens College, CUNY. Donna has worked in K-12, public, and reference library settings. She is interested in developing strategies and programs that help students become engaged life-long learners who are informed and active citizens in their communities and beyond.

 

Vincent Hyland, North Brooklyn School Library Coordinator

Email:  vhyland@schools.nyc.gov

Vincent Hyland is the Library Coordinator serving North Brooklyn. He started his career as an ESL teacher before becoming a librarian. Vincent has worked on aligning the ESIFC with digital fluency and CRSE standards, and has reviewed books for the Mosaic and Multilingual collections on Sora. Besides the NYCPS, Vincent also worked as a reference librarian at Brooklyn Historical Society while he was earning on his MLS. 

 

Lindsay Klemas, Queens School Library Coordinator

Email: lklemas3@schools.nyc.gov  

After working in book publishing, Lindsay transitioned to a career in school librarianship. She spent six years as a librarian at a District 75 high school in the Bronx, cultivating a library program for students with disabilities. Most recently, Lindsay was a school librarian at Forest Hills High School, where she worked to foster a student-centered program, diverse collection, and safe space for all. Her writing about the intersection of parenthood and librarianship has appeared in Huffington Post and Chalkbeat.

 

Patricia Sarles, South Brooklyn & Staten Island School Library Coordinator

Email: Psarles@schools.nyc.gov

Patricia came into the New York City Public Schools in 1993 as a school librarian at Midwood High School in Brooklyn. She then went on to serve in five other schools in Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Staten Island before becoming the coordinator for Staten Island and South Brooklyn school libraries in 2017. Patricia has published both book reviews and articles in numerous library journals and her first book chapter was published in 2021.

 

Mohini Sookdeo, Secretary

Email: Msookdeo@schools.nyc.gov

Mohini Sookdeo is a secretary for the NYC Public Schools Office of Library Services/NYC School Library System for the past 18 years. She works with Destiny Library Automation which serves over 1,000 school users providing daily support and helps to host the professional learning opportunities offered by the Library Services team. She also assists with the citywide MyLibraryNYC program, a collaborative partnership with the three NYC public library systems.