NYLA Announces Incoming Council Members

The New York Library Association (NYLA) is pleased to announce the incoming council members for the 2021 Council:

Beth Merkle, President-Elect (2020-2021) / President (2021-2022): 

Since 2014, Beth has served as the Director of Libraries at The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, where she oversees the Brian Sutton-Smith Library and Archives of Play – a multidisciplinary research repository devoted to the intellectual, social, and cultural history of play – and of the Grada Hopeman Gelser Circulating Library – one of only a handful of public library branches located in a museum in the nation. 

Stephanie Hartwell-Mandella, Councilor-At-Large (Public Libraries) (2021-2025): 

Stephanie Hartwell-Mandella is the Assistant Director and Head of Youth Services at North Castle Public Library. Prior to this position, she was Head of Youth Services at Katonah Village Library for eight years.

Kristina Graves, Councilor-at-Large (School Libraries) (2021-2025):

Kristina Graves is a School Librarian at Schenectady High School. She has been in the profession for thirteen years and continues to learn and exhibit the power of effective collaboration between school, public, and the many other librarian disciplines. 

 

“I am thrilled to work with this outstanding group of library leaders." said NYLA Executive Director, Jeremy Johannesen, “Their collective experience and talent will help is strengthen the voice of the New York library community and further advance the strategic goals of NYLA.”

NYLA would like to thank all the members who took time to cast a ballot, as well as each candidate who ran for NYLA Council this year; Liz King, Lisa Kropp, Lisa Hewel, Sarah Potwin, and Ginger Tebo.